I’ve been part of the Fremd Highschool Symphony Orchestra all four years of my high school life. Being in Symphony meant that I was in the highest Orchestra since my freshmen year, rarely paying amongst my own grade, and rather within upperclassmen. I began as a violinist, but during my junior year, when our orchestra didn’t have any violas, I decided to step in and learn the instrument. It wasn’t easy switching clefs and adjusting my technique, but filling that gap taught me that true teamwork meant doing what the group needed, not just what was comfortable for me. Through these years, I’ve watched myself grow not only as a musician but also as a more disciplined and organized person. As part of the orchestra, I’ve designed our school orchestra concert program covers. This was my own way of expressing my creativity, and I fully enjoyed making each one of them. Managing practice schedules, balancing rehearsals, and taking responsibility for my part has helped me understand how much trust and effort go into creating harmony—literally and figuratively. In some cases, I’ve still had the opportunity of performing as a violin accompanist in our choir concerts. During our Winter Choir Concert, I was invited to accompany the Viking Chorale on violin for a piece, and Iin another concert, I accompanied a song from our combined choirs. Blending strings and voices in a way that felt almost magical, I enjoyed the collaborative effort of turning a single piece into a more memorable performance.