I’m from Norfolk, Virginia, born and raised. My mother began teaching me classical violin when I was four years old, and its been my life ever since. I began playing in quartets when I was eight, orchestras when I was nine, and I joined my first full orchestra when I was twelve. When I was fifteen I was accepted into an arts high school, where for three hours a day for three years (in addition to my normal schooling at public school) I studied a vast range of music courses and played in various chamber groups and orchestras within the school.

My artistry is influenced by the music I play and the musicians I listen to. I listen to players such as Itzhak Perlman and Jascha Heifetz; people who really express themselves through their playing. When I hear them play, I know that playing isn’t a chore for them; it’s a privilege, which is exactly how I feel about my music. I’m also influenced by each piece I play; each one is a new experience, a new style, and a different approach.

When I play, I reach inwards. Every time I play, from concertos to scales, I bring out an emotion from within myself, conveyed through the notes.