Eighth-grade violinist Eunice Lee competed in the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Orchestra Festival and won the grand prize in the middle school division. The festival was held from Feb. 26-28 in San Francisco and featured 11 nationally recognized middle school ensembles.
As a dedicated member of both Pacific Symphony Youth Ensemble — the orchestra Lee played with in the festival — and Oxford Academy’s Chamber Strings, Lee has demonstrated her long-standing experience as a violinist.
Lee began her journey with the violin at five years old, and has been a member of the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensemble — the place where she first experienced being a part of an orchestra — for three years. She saw her dedication and commitment pay off as her and her fellow musicians were called up for first place.
“I felt an overwhelming sense of joy, and receiving the grand prize was incredibly rewarding. As the judges announced third, second, and first place, I was already so grateful to be part of the experience,” Lee said. “Hearing our name afterward made it an even more unexpected and meaningful surprise. It made the moment truly unforgettable and reinforced how much the experience meant to me.”
She has also been part of Oxford’s Chamber Strings since 7th grade, and enjoys her time with upperclassmen preparing and performing in concerts. Violin has become an integral part of her life, practicing for two hours every day during the school week, weekly violin lessons, and playing weekly in the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensemble orchestra.
“I have learned so much while being a part of the orchestra. All of the weekly meetings, occasional workshops, and retreats really shaped my passion not only for music but working together with peers,” Lee said.
For Lee, the support of her parents, teachers, and like-minded friends pushes her forward and fuels her passion for violin, even with her busy schedule. The connections she’s made with others through their shared love of the violin are relationships that motivate her to continue her musical career.
“One of my favorite moments from the festival was the rehearsal right before our performance. In that moment, everyone was completely focused and fully present, which created a strong sense of unity within the group.” Lee said. “That shared concentration translated directly into our performance, allowing us to play with confidence and expression. It ultimately became one of the best performances I’ve ever been a part of.”
