"I give back to (G)BYSO because it gave me some of the happiest memories I have. It gave me soul friends to last a lifetime, who I know I can reach out to and be my true self with, even now that we are spread all over the country, and even when we haven't talked in months - or sometimes years! It gave me a sense of self by grounding me in my musicianship, taught me how good it feels to work hard at something, and the high quality that dedicated practice can yield. It gave me teachers, like John Holland, who with humor and grace taught me not only how to play violin, but about life.

I didn't realized it back then, but all the time I spent playing music on those Sundays was sort of like a meditation; the music was something I could be completely absorbed in. I give back to BYSO each year because I now know how formative it was for me, and I want other young people to be able to experience the things I did in their own way through BYSO!"