Our first Student Spotlight feature is Jóia! Jóia is a violist in BYS. She's currently a senior in high school, and she's been in BYSO for 3 years. We asked Jóia a few questions:

Q: What is your favorite thing about BYSO?

A: My favorite thing about BYSO is the tightly-knit community that develops throughout the season and continues far beyond, even when we have to leave to follow our paths, whether it leads to music, or not. No matter what, the love and joy of music that we experience every Sunday will stick with us for the rest of our lives. This, to me, is a prime example of the incredible power of music: we come together in August as strangers and by the time the season finale concert arrives, we become a family.

Q: What is one of your favorite BYSO memories (so far)?

A: One of my greatest BYSO memories was my first time playing with the professional opera singers in Carmen. The beginning of opera season is always incredibly exciting. There were many occasions where I vividly remember being starstruck and having to pinch myself multiple times to make sure that I wasn't dreaming.

Q: Why did you choose your instrument?

A: I have always been drawn to rich, dark, and soulful sounds so the viola and I seemed like a match made in perfect harmony (pun intended). Furthermore, viola repertoire is pretty fantastic so everyone should go out and listen to some alto clef magic ASAP.

Q: What is your favorite piece you've played during your time in BYSO?

A: How could I possibly choose only ONE piece?! Indeed, I could never pick a standalone favorite. This request is comparable to someone asking me to pick only one ice cream flavor to eat for the rest of my life (a completely impossible question to answer)! I think it goes without saying that, in BYSO, I have loved each piece that I've had the pleasure to prepare and perform. However, if I could only pick a select few, I would have to give some special shoutouts to Ravel's Daphnis and Chloë, Schoenberg's Pelleas and Melisande, Debussy's Jeux (the first piece I ever played in BYSO), Dvorak's Symphony No. 7, and all four of the operas!

Q: What is one fun fact about you?

A: A fun fact about me is that I am a complete and utter opera nerd; I could geek out about the Met for hours without a reduction in enthusiasm! Hence, I have a tradition with my mom where we will go to the movie theater and watch the "Metropolitan Opera Live in HD" together.