Get ready seniors! On May 26th at 6 pm, graduation will be taking place! Graduation will be a fun day packed with excitement, fulfillment, and a sense of Mustang pride. Along with the special day, after the valedictorian speeches, seniors will get a musical surprise from two amazing students, Aspen Stevens and Frank Henderson, who will be playing an exciting song called Vittorio Monti’s Czardas. This is a duet between a violinist, and a pianist. Henderson will be playing the piano, while Stevens will be playing the violin.
While these students have become great musicians, they started small, like Henderson who worked his way up, with a little inspiration, and a lot of dedication to what he loves to do.
Henderson said, “Well my dad was really into music and liked to play the piano. My dad got me my first piano when I was 8. I was just a kid at the time and it was just a toy to me so I accidentally broke it but when I got my second one at 9 that’s when I fell in love with music. From there I taught myself how to play by using YouTube.”
Through sheer determination to be better, and to become a better pianist, Henderson gives some advice on what he did to become a great musician.
Henderson said, “I focus on the hard parts first, getting the repetition on the song I’m playing. Then I try to make sure I’m in the most optimal position with my hands so slowing down helps and then it all comes together. I’ve pushed myself past the boundaries since I was little and that’s made me how good I am today, and just telling myself not to give up and that I’ll make it some day. My advice would be consistent, curiosity over perfection like technical mastery is good but your goal should be to find your own voice through the keys by looking through genres and connecting every piece you play to a personal emotion or story never lose sight of the joy of discovery and treat the piano not just as a tool but for self expression.
Aspen Stevens shares how she got into being a violinist, and what her plans are for the future.
Stevens said, “I started playing violin in 1st grade. I remember once before then, we had violin music playing in our house, and I was dancing around pretending to play, and I was set on learning how to play. I have a deep love and respect for music, and am excited to continue my education at BYU in the school of music studying music education, after I serve a mission for my church in Vancouver, Washington.
These amazing students will be sure to give the Shadow Ridge seniors an excellent display of musical talent during graduation.
