“Getting to meet and interact with the composers of an orchestral or chamber music piece was such an eye-opening experience. Knowing that my playing could change the final result of a song gave me more incentive to work harder to allow their vision to come through. I learned so many invaluable lessons from my peers, the faculty, composers, and directors. They gave me insight not only in my playing but entrepreneurship and managing life as a musician.”
– Emily Bivona-Maldonado, Bassoonist