This week’s campus celebrity is a musician at heart. She is not only a part of UIC’s orchestra, the UIC jazz ensemble, UIC pep band and concert band, but she also plays with Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. If you want to join UIC’s ocrchestra she is your go to person! Check out what this campus celeb has to tell us about her life as a musician!
Where does your love for music come from?
I’m not quite sure where my love for music comes from. It’s something that can’t be explained, like love. People don’t choose to fall in love, it just happens. I have been playing music since I was young, so it’s a daily routine.
Did you always know you would end up majoring in music?
I was always looking forward to majoring in pre-dentistry, but as I got older, I realized that my real passion is music. I decided to pursue a music career because it opened up certain opportunities that other paths wouldn’t and I love it.
What instruments do you play?
I play the violin and the bari sax. I absolutely love them both! When people ask me which one do I prefer, it’s like asking a cat lady which cat she prefers the most. I don’t have a favorite.
What musically related things are you involved with at UIC, outside?
I am the principal chair of the second violin section in the UIC orchestra, and play in a quartet with three other wonderful ladies. I play the bari sax in the UIC jazz ensemble and have been involved with the UIC pep band and concert band.
Outside of UIC, I am the librarian manager and play with Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, the only third-stream orchestra in the world, doubling on bari sax and violin. Whenever Orbert Davis needs a full saxophone section for his music (jazz), I play the bari; and when his music is more string oriented (classical), I play the violin. That’s what I mean by doubling; I am switching between both instruments during a performance. I also play the violin and sing in a mariachi every Saturday night. It’s nice to remember where I came from by playing my instrument with music of my culture.
So I heard you are in orchestra, tell me a little bit more about your involvement there.
I am the librarian manager for the UIC orchestra, attend questions or concerns anyone has, and help set up for rehearsals. I do a lot of recruitment for the music department over the summer. So I am happy to say that I am part of the growth of the music department. Anyone reading this that plays an instrument or enjoys listening to music, check us out! We’ve got a good group of different ensembles and professors that will make this experience mega enjoyable for you.
Do you make your own music? If yes, where do you get your inspiration?
I do compose my own music, but I wouldn’t say I am great at it. I get my inspiration on however I feel in the moment.
Who are some of your favorite artists/bands and why?
I can’t think of anyone right now, but I can definitely say that Queen is my favorite band. It’s the complete opposite genre that I play and write for, but I absolutely love them! My dad would always play his music when my siblings and I were younger, so it just kind of stuck with me.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I can definitely see myself still being involved with music. I am 99.9% positive that I will be teaching and performing and LOVIN’ it. I love the idea of passing my knowledge to others and I love the idea of performing and being in recordings with badass people. I just love the package that comes along by being involved with music: meeting amazing people, teaching, performing, recording, and more!
Who inspires you?
Different people inspire me on different days.
What quote or saying do you live by?
I don’t live by a quote. I hear different ones everyday and get inspired by them.