Anna A.

Anna, from Ormond-By-The-Sea, Florida, began playing violin in 2008. After twelve years of practicing and playing, she now attends the University of Central Florida majoring in Music Education, sits as principal second violin in the UCF Symphony Orchestra, is a first violinist in the UCF Chamber Orchestra, and teaches violin to elementary school students through A Gift for Music in Orlando, Florida. In growing her musical abilities, Anna also began learning percussion and piano while in middle school and held various officer positions while in high school, such as Percussion Captain and Orchestra President. Originally a Political Science Major, Anna discovered her love of teaching music while working at Lion of Judah Christian Academy in Pine Hills, Florida, as a violin, chorus, and music culture teacher of children ages 5-15, which inspired her ultimate decision to enter the Music Education degree program. Though a lover of music and education, Anna is also a Legal Studies and Italian Language student at UCF. On her off time, she enjoys practicing Yoga (and of course violin) and exercising with her fellow Orchestra buddies. In regards to her philosophy of education, Anna believes that “all subjects and disciplines are interrelated, thus a student who is disinterested in a subject must be shown how the subject can help to benefit him in a subject he or she finds interesting and worthwhile. For many, beginning violin looks fun and attainable, but once the instrument is in the student’s hands, a sense of defeat and inability to grow as a musician sets in due to the instrument’s inherent level of difficulty and perceived unimportance. A great source of frustration in students, including myself, is lack of observed purpose. If I can help students see WHY they should do or learn something, and get past the mental barriers that hold the student back, I know that students will be more inclined to participate enthusiastically in practice and instruction.”