Emily Anne's Music Education

Emily Anne playing Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in a minor, 1st movement

Emily Anne’s passion for the violin began at age 2 when she watched a YouTube video and asked to play the violin. Within a year she began taking lessons under Corina Brito, who utilized the Suzuki method, and soared to new heights with her talent. She was a natural from the start, and fortified her abilities with a commitment to practice, often putting in several hours per day. By age 7 she was putting on recitals of her own and taking the stage during worship at church, playing alongside professional accompaniment and a full choir.

At age 8, she joined the Bravo Strings Orchestra, a youth orchestra out of Dunwoody, GA. She quickly qualified for the “advanced” group and excelled in the orchestra setting. With Bravo she performs 2 concerts per year featuring a variety of genres including classical, folk, and contemporary pieces. During that time she supplemented her violin study with piano lessons, a skill which rounded out her study of music theory and inspired her to begin writing pieces of her own. Her piano studies continue to this day and comprise a variety of music from Classical to Argentine Tango.

Emily Anne’s talent has been recognised by a number of organizations and competitions. She received the highest possible marks in 2022 at the Georgia Music Educators Association for solo violin, NDMTA Bach Competition for piano, and National Federation of Music Clubs. Last summer, she was awarded the Malachai Foster award, a scholarship to the Suzuki Institute of Atlanta. The Suzuki Institute is an intensive week of music study and performance under some of the highest quality instructors in the state. The experience was such a blessing as it not only challenged Emily Anne to elevate her abilities to new heights, but allowed her to connect with other children who are passionately engaged with music.

Moving forward from that experience, Emily Anne is looking towards this summer, and hoping to continue with her study in the coming months. One possibility is to enroll in another week at the Suzuki Institute. This experience would build on her training and relationships from last summer. Emily Anne has also been recommended to apply to the Franklin Pond Chamber Music Summer Intensive Program. If accepted to the program, Emilly Anne would have the opportunity to receive biweekly coaching from Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performers, attend a weekly masterclass led by a nationally acclaimed artist, and perform challenging pieces in a chamber music setting. Franklin Pond is notably a feeder program into the Atlanta Youth Orchestra, a group that Emily Anne hopes to perform with when she is of age.

With these opportunities comes the challenge of funding - something her father’s firefighter salary can not completely cover. Emily Anne has taken an active role, and will be putting on a fundraising concert in the near future. We also continue to apply for scholarships and financial support wherever we can find it. The cost of lessons, instrument maintenance, music materials, orchestra fees, summer intensives, and masterclasses add up quickly. While this seems like an insurmountable mountain, it is a mountain that we are committed to helping her climb. If you would like to be a part of this journey, consider donating to Emily Anne’s music Go Fund Me. All funds will be used to further her development in music education.