Outreach

My first significant volunteer experience was on a self-funded trip to teach at the Ballanta Academy in Sierra Leone, Africa. I led group and individual theory and instrumental lessons. My students and I encountered many hurdles such as limited musical resources and language challenges (intense heat!). It was daunting initially, but through this experience I witnessed the way music was able to transcend all cultural and lingual barriers and connect people through a shared passion.

 

During my undergraduate degree I served on the student committee for the string department. In the monthly meetings it was my role to bring feedback from the student body to improve the student experience.

 

Shortly after the 2020 pandemic hit, I co-founded the non-profit Flying Bedroom Theatre Company. We create musical workshops designed to inspire children to enter the arts. As soon as the lockdown lifted, we began touring across the United Kingdom to schools and theaters. For the youngest children in our audience, we had the privilege of being the first live music they had ever heard. This was a profoundly moving experience.

 

Through the connections I made with Flying Bedroom, I spent two months volunteering with the National Welsh Music Service. I shadowed peripatetic teachers and led whole-class violin lessons. This experience taught me about current music teaching methods in the UK and helped me to conduct research on how we can develop well-rounded musicians from a young age.

 

It’s important to me to give back to the educational establishments that have created the person I am today. I recently gave a career talk to students at my former middle school. I used music, and the story of my career so far, to show the students the importance of always remaining open to trying new experiences.

 

I have been giving concerts in care homes in my local community since I was 9 years old. I design my concerts sensitively to cater for the diverse needs of the residents including those with dementia. My observation is that live music provides residents with a type of stimulation that helps them to reminisce, reconnect and share a joyful social experience.

 

Studying at Queens College in New York City has further enhanced my leadership skills to be able to contribute to society by embracing a variety of cultures. My first volunteering at Queens College included teaching at the annual viola day alongside esteemed violist Gregory Williams.

 

My ambition is to form my own musical charity. We will create accessible work that inspires the next generation of musicians and brings hope, escape and joy to audiences.