Senior Spotlight: Ethan Mandojana, Violin
Guest User
What is your current AYPO ensemble?
AYP
What AYPO ensembles have you played in and for how long?
AYP, 2022-2023 season
Your advice for young musicians?
Making music together is about contributing your own unique experience to something bigger than any one person. But most importantly, it's supposed to be fun, so never let competition, fear, or ostentation get in the way of that.
What college/university do you plan on attending this fall?
Williams College, I am undecided, but I currently plan to major in Political Economy with a possible double major in Music.
A favorite, or memorable AYPO experience?
I loved learning from the anecdotes and advice of the excellent musicians in AYPO--from the hardworking conductors and ensemble members to the inspiring NSO members who helped us mold our collective sound into something we could be proud of.
What do you hope to do after graduation or your more long-term goals?
While I am unsure of my career plans, I want to do something to help bridge the cultural divides abundant in our society. Music has been a translator between cultures for me, helping me connect to and learn from incredible people around the world. I know that no matter what I do, music will always be an important part of my life in some form.
What musician, conductor, or orchestra inspires you and why?
Violinist Ivry Gitlis' fearless interpretations are truly special. He stood out in a generation of excellent violinists because he never dampened his fierce musicality to appease his critics, and how he played was always a true reflection of how he really felt. Even when listening to recordings more than 70 years old, I can still feel his intense passion reverberating within each bold chord.