As we gear up for our Spring Salon on May 4, we talked with a bunch of students about their experiences in our group classes, private lessons, Young Artist Academy and more. Check out their profiles below to hear them talk about how their playing has improved and what your support means to them.
Angie S. Puerto Alonzo, violin
Age: 15
Class: Allegro Group Lessons
Interests: Volleyball, violin, school
How has Key to Change helped you become a better player?
They help with correcting and helping me make a better sound and give me tons of support. All of this makes me very happy.
Why do you think it’s important for people to support Key to Change?
Key to Change gives lots of students an opportunity to play an instrument. The teachers are supportive and it’s a lot of fun!
Jake Lee, viola
Age: 14
Class: Private Viola Lessons
Interests: Playing the viola, martial arts, lifting weights
How has Key to Change helped you become a better student?
It’s helped me become a more disciplined student and they truly support my playing, which I enjoy because it’s fun. I like hearing myself sound good.
Ciku Maina, viola
Age: 14
Class: Private Viola Lessons
Hobbies: Playing and listening to music, reading, baking, and hiking
How has Key to Change helped you become a better player?
My awareness of how I play my instrument and technique has gotten so much better. And my confidence has gotten so much better. It’s comforting to know that I can stand up and play a solo in front of an audience. I used to be terrified at the idea of playing in front of people, but Key to Change has helped me jump out of my comfort zone and I continue to feel more and more comfortable playing and performing for others. My goal is to get better each week and Key to Change is helping me do that.
Why do you think it’s important for people to support Key to Change?
It’s important for people to support Key To Change because it’s a program meant for kids who might not have access to a good music learning environment. Key To Change focuses a lot on having a diverse, welcoming community where all students are supported and encouraged no matter their ability or social status. It’s a lot harder for Key To Change to provide for so many without a lot of support. Key To Change is a better program because of the support from the community.
Mason Nguyen, viola
Age: 16
Class: Young Artist Academy
Hobbies: Music Composition, gaming, viola
How has Key to Change helped you become a better player?
Key to Change has helped me with becoming more disciplined, better with my time management, and taught me a TON of technical and musical things on my instrument.
Why do you think it’s important for people to support Key to Change?
It’s important to support Key to Change because they don’t just teach you how to play the violin or viola, but they also teach you how to become a better person.
Chris Ramirez, violin
Age:15
Class:Saint-Georges Group Lessons
Hobbies: Violin, writing, church, family
How has Key to Change helped you become a better student?
Key to Change has helped me not only become more responsible by being on time, being prepared at all times because anything unexpected can happen. It’s helped me also develop more confidence and that I’m able to accomplish hard things that I didn’t know before.
Why do you think it’s important for people to support Key to Change?
It makes me feel like I matter to people who may not know me, but know that I love the violin and that it’s something I enjoy doing.
Grace Samayoa, violin
Age: 13
Class: Allegro Group Class
Interests: Makeup, cooking, playing the violin
How has Key to Change helped you become a better player?
It has given me more discipline and taught me patience, respect, and manners.
Why do you think it’s important for people to support Key to Change?
Because it helps students learn a new skill that they wouldn’t get to learn without support.
Siddharth Siravara, violin
Age: 16
Class: Private Violin Lessons
Interests: Violin, reading, science, and playing sports with friends
How has Key to Change helped you become a better player?
Playing the violin at Key to Change has taught me a lot about the strategies that I need to control my emotions like stress, anxiety, and even excitement making me a more relaxed and confident person.
Why do you think it’s important for people to support Key to Change?
I love Key to Change because it is an incredibly supportive community that provides me with the resources and opportunities needed to grow as a musician. Having the support of others enables me and lots of other students the opportunity to do that.
Amani Tompkins, violin
Age: 16
Class: Joseph White Group Class
Interests: All the performing arts (composing, violin, dance, singing, spoken word, etc.), researching religion, fashion, and engaging with people.
How has Key to Change helped you become a better player?
It’s helped me have more confidence on stage and look at the bigger picture of performing with no fear or nervousness. Learning how to move step by step, which has helped me in not only my violin practice but also in my academics and personal life.
Why do you think it’s important for people to support Key to Change?
I never had access to violin lessons before Key to Change because of financial barriers. Having people who I don’t know believe in me (and other students at Key to Change) by donating their money feels so unreal to me and I’m so grateful. Having their support empowers me to always put my best foot forward.
Laila West, violin
Age: 16
Class: Young Artist Academy
How has Key to Change helped you become a better student?
It’s helped me become more disciplined. I’ve learned that I have to practice every day, no matter how long it takes – I have to keep the ball rolling forward if I want to improve and get better. It’s helped me have a better mindset in school and I’m a better student because of it.
Why do you think it’s important for people to support Key to Change?
It’s cool that people who don’t know me, have faith in me, and believe I can reach higher goals – it’s so great having a support system of people who I don’t know, but I know they’re there.
