WAY TO GO! NVYO is proud of all these graduating high school seniors. They have experienced one of the most complicated and tumultuous years in recent history, and they've made music through it all. Here's a little bit about their time with NVYO ... and what comes next.
NVYO High School Senior Class of 2021 Grant Anderson, violin, graduates from Red River High School after 9 years of NVYO programs: Allegro, Philharmonic, Symphony, Crescendo and Dal Segno. Grant will be studying UAV Systems Operations in the Aviation department at UND this fall, and plans to keep making music in the orchestra and choir there. His advice to young musicians is "If anything feels too difficult or challenging to play/do, musically or not, never give up on it until you've completed it." He says that being part of NVYO was a wonderful experience; he enjoyed being part of the program and meeting the people he did along the way. Grant credits "all the wonderful conductors and directors I've worked with over the years" for making him feel welcome in NVYO, and thanks them for experiences he says he will remember for a lifetime.
Dennis Du, violin, graduates from Grand Forks Central after three seasons of NVYO experience. He says Merry Wives of Windsor is a favorite, and that it is also exciting to play a piece by a local composer [Callie Stadem.] Next year, Dennis heads to an as-yetdetermined college to study some type of computer science, data science, or artificial intelligence. His advice to younger musicians? "Don't be afraid to pour energy and feeling into your instrument! Listen to the music and feel all the emotions- then keep them in mind as you play." Dennis thanks Ligia Drago for her guidance and for teaching him to add expression to his playing; and thanks Dr. Sütterlin as well, for providing a challenge.
"listen to the music and feel all the emotions..." - Dennis Du
Sophia Frank, viola (and occasionally tuba), graduates from Grand Forks Central High School/Community after five seasons of NVYO. Philharmonic, Symphony, Dal Segno and Crescendo. She most values the different connections on musical and personal levels she's made with peers, coaches and directors. Sophia plans to start at Northland to get generals and then major in music education at UND or NDSU. Her advice to younger musicians is "Stick to what you've started! Whether it be at home by yourself, in a small ensemble, or in a large group, music is "definitely worth having throughout your life." Sophia thanks her dad for always supporting her music, even through tough times. She says "if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have had the amazing impact music has had on my life and my love for music."
Lauren Hillman, cello, graduates from Grand Forks Central High School after 5 years of NVYO. Her favorite memory is going to Concordia College for a day to do sectional and large group work, and also enjoyed spending time with friends at rehearsal. In the fall, Lauren is looking forward to meeting new people, and is considering a career in pharmacy or anesthesiology. Lauren encourages younger musicians to "play your instruments in many different settings or groups!" She would like to thank Naomi Welsh for encouraging her to get involved in many different opportunities that push her to grow as a player and a person.
