I am excited about creating community through teaching and performing music. By learning and performing music of different places, we unite peoples across cultures and across periods in time. Through creative expression, music has the power to bring people with different ideas and backgrounds together, which is transformative for the individual, as well as the community.

 

Read Sophia's blog here.

 

Sophia grew up in a family of musicians and teachers in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. In 1997, she started with the Suzuki method at age 5 at a fine arts magnet school, but then took private lessons from Jennifer Volby, studying a variety of solo literature. Starting in 2005, Sophia started playing with the Minnesota Youth Symphonies, which she enjoyed for 6 years. She also performed as a soloist for weddings and recitals throughout high school and started teaching a few beginning students. Performing with other people in a variety of styles became a highlight throughout Sophia's development.

 

Sophia was fortunate to pursue a Bacheolor of Arts in Music and Anthropology at St. Olaf College. With her time at St. Olaf, Sophia was able to play principal violin in the orchestra, serve as teaching assistant to the musicology department and study abroad in Northern Ireland. Her study of peace and conflict resolution there drastically changed the way she saw the impact of music on communities. This experience created a long term goal to further explore and  practice the ways that music can be transformative in areas of conflict. 

 

Following graduation in 2015, Sophia now works with the J.A.M.M. program in Juneau, AK in addition to working towards a Masters in Teaching and playing with the Juneau Symphony. As well as performing in chamber ensembles, Sophia teaches private lessons to all ages, writes program notes, and plays for weddings and other special occasions. Looking forward to short term goals, she hopes to expand her private studio, continue collaborative music making, and pursue a higher degree in Musicology/Ethnomusicology.