LH: How do you feel while you’re playing violin?
OR: When I’m playing, I’m in a different world. I can be in any time or place I want to be in. Words cannot accomplish the soul and heart that I put into music. When I play, I don’t worry what people think of me, because I am truly being myself.

LH: Do you have any changes you want to make to orchestra?
OR: I think that our orchestra is a great place for all people. I believe, however that there should be more cooperation and team building exercises. Orchestra is a team. In my opinion, even more than sports.

LH: Who is your favorite composer and why?
OR: It really depends on the situation. But Mozart or Bruch if I had to go overall. Mozart because it’s fun to play and still has lots of emotional connection. Bruch because it’s all about guts, heart, and soul. Not just the good.

LH: Who do you draw inspiration from?
OR: One of my greatest inspirations is Doris Preucil. She is my violin instructor… I don’t think I’ve met a stronger person in my entire life. She knows what she wants. This is such an admirable quality in a teacher and for that matter a person. Another thing about her is; She is always put together, and elegant no matter what  happens. She is there for me when I need her, and that is the best part about her. She is one of a kind.

LH: What do you hope to do with violin after high school?
OR: I plan on pursuing a career in musical performance. I hope to be a soloist or in a great orchestra. Music is my life.

LH: What’s your favorite memory from orchestra?
OR: My favorite memory, I think was when we played the Dvorak. We were all working so well together, and we were all excited to play a REAL piece.

LH: Have you had any struggles with playing over the years?
OR: [My hand] burns and it hurts. They thought I had carpel tunnel in the beginning but I don’t. I have a lot of things wrong with my hands right now so we don’t know what’s going on.

LH: How has this struggle affected you in general?
OR: For four years I have not been able to play as much as I wanted to. I want to be a music major so music is basically my entire career and when somebody tells me I can’t play, that’s not easy

LH: What has it been like dealing with this for four years now?
OR: It gets progressively more frustrating because I can’t play, I can’t do what I love to do and [playing] is an emotional vent for me. I guess you might say that it’s hard for me to not be stressed at school and do what I love to do if I can’t play and I can’t vent.