2020 High School Senior Class
WAY TO GO! NVYO is proud of all these graduating high school seniors. Whether they plan to stay nearby or are heading off to new experiences, we hope they keep their love of music throughout their lives... and stay in touch! In their words, here's a little bit about their time with NVYO and what comes next.
back: Aiden, Maisy L, Gabe, Alex, Kolby, Nate, Daniel/ front: Anna, Emma, Cassie, Trevor, Maisy S. Gabe Almlie, trombone, graduates from East Grand Forks Senior High after 4 years of NVYO. His favorite NVYO piece was the Hebrides Overture. [March 2018] He thanks his band director Stacey Searle, and says " she has left a great impact on my high school career and has made me love playing my instrument." His advice to younger players is "Practice often, enjoy playing." Gabe is heading to Tulane University in the fall, where he would like to be in the marching band and other wind ensembles, and also plans to continue playing guitar for fun. Alex Berglund, horn, graduates from Red River High School after 4 years of NVYO. His favorite piece was "My Name is Aiden." [March 2019] Alex will be working for the Summer Performing Arts Company over the summer and, in the fall, going to college to start a music education degree. His advice to young musicians is "Enjoy it. Every song. Every crescendo, staccato, and accelerando. You may not like the piece you're playing, but looking back you should always be happy to have made music." Alex's thanks go out to: "My parents for never letting me quit. All my private teachers through the years. My directors, accompanists, and peers. It takes a village to make a musician, and I wouldn't be where I am today without every single one of them." Alex's future goals include "conducting beautiful music with amazing musicians," and says he hopes music becomes his life. Anna Caoili, violin, graduates from Red River High School, having played for 9 years in NVYO. Anna's best memories of NVYO are spending time with her orchestra friends and being able to connect with others in the area who share a common love for music. Anna advises younger players to "make an effort to connect with fellow musicians because with that connection you will be able to achieve meaningful performances." Anna thanks her parents, and her private teachers, especially Tamara Bertram. She says, 'without my school orchestras, I would have never gained some of my closest friendships which have made making music even more special." Anna plans to major in Global Studies next year, and hopes to continue participating in orchestras and supporting the music community wherever she is in the future.
"try new music groups, you could enjoy something you never thought you would." - Cassandra Fincher Oliver Dalmi, violin, graduates from Grand Forks Central after three years of NVYO experience. He says that the tours and trips to Concordia have been "very interesting and unlike anything I would have done if I weren't in NVYO." Next year, Oliver heads to an as-yet-determined college to study economics, and sees music as a hobby he can continue in the future. His advice? "Work hard but also make sure to have fun." He adds that the social element of music has been a big reason he has continued to play, and thanks all the various music teachers and conductors that he has had over the years.
Cassandra Fincher, viola, graduates from Grand Forks Central High School after 6 years of NVYO including Philharmonic, Symphony, Dal Segno and Crescendo. Her favorite piece was the Brahms Academic Festival Overture [March 2017]. Cassie will attend Concordia College in the fall, and plans to stay involved in the music community, whether that be music education or playing in local groups. Cassie encourages younger musicians to "stay involved and try new music groups, you could enjoy something you never thought you would." She would like to thank "my parents for getting me to rehearsals and concerts on time while I was growing up and for constantly motivating me to get better and stay involved. She also thanks "Mrs. Harlow, Mr. Barta, and Mrs. Welsh for calming me down before and after auditions and performances, answering my random questions, pushing me to be the best musician I can be, and for being positive role models that have impacted my life." Kolby Gourneau, horn, graduates from Grand Forks Central with 2 years of NVYO experience. Favorite memories of NVYO include playing Stars and Stripes Forever [November 2019] as well as the other compositions. He says "having the feeling of being in a well orchestrated group of musicians was amazing." Next year's plans include Digital Audio Production and being happy! His advice to younger players is "always keep practicing. Put time aside every week ...music can and will get you places if you try." He thanks his teachers for helping build the foundations of music and assisting with musical problems. "They gave me a home away from home where the music is what truly matters most in that moment. " He adds his life is going to revolve around music, as it always has; "a constant head bop is not uncommon. "
"keep practicing even when you get frustrated." - Nate Thompson
