Hometown: Ridley Park, Pa.
Age: 20
Major: Music Education / Clarinet Performance
Class Year: Junior
Why did you choose Millersville? I auditioned at three schools: Temple, West Chester and Millersville. Millersville was the only school I went to for a tour of before my auditions. When I came back six months later for my audition, Dr. Banks remembered me. I felt a sense of community.
What is your favorite thing about your time at Millersville? I like the community dynamic we have going on here.
Why did you choose your major? I knew for a while that I wanted to be a teacher, and once I joined marching band in high school I realized what I wanted to teach.
Are you involved in anything on campus? I am involved in the Millersville University Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Millersville’s chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
What positions have you held in orchestra? I have been the principal clarinetist of the MU Orchestra since my freshman year.
If someone were to join/become part of the orchestra, what do you think is the best takeaway? The best takeaways are definitely that you get to perform some of the most famous pieces of orchestral literature and we work with rising stars and already well known professional musicians. It’s just an all around great experience. Dr. Volchansky is great, the people in the ensemble are great, and the music is great. Yeah, it’s great!
How would you join orchestra? At the beginning of each semester, Dr. Volchansky will send out an email! If you are a string player, you audition with her. Winds and brass are a bit more complicated.
What’s your favorite memory of orchestra? My favorite memory definitely has to be the last concert of last spring semester. Overall, it was the best concert I’ve played in and being able to experience that with this group of people is awesome.
What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Is it cliché to say I like to sit by the pond?
What do you plan to do after graduation? Big Picture: I’d like to be the Director of Bands at a college. Small picture: No clue. Part of me wants to teach for a bit before getting my Master’s, and part of me wants to go straight for another degree. Part of me wants to pursue wind conducting, while part of me wants to stick with clarinet performance.
What will you miss the most about Millersville? I will miss the music department dearly. We have a special bond through performing, practicing and just being around each other all the time.
Do you have a mantra you live by? If so, what is it? Yes! It’s a quote that my studio professor put on her bulletin board: “Practice and hope, but never hope more than you practice!” – Kalmen Oppermann. I think this is great because it really puts a lot into perspective. Practice, because it’s how you get better! Hope, because you have to have goals! But you won’t achieve those goals if you don’t put in the necessary amount of work!