The stage. The lights. The applause. While often associated with theater arts, stage performances are just as prominent in the musical world. Junior Jennifer Cho follows her passion – playing violin competitively in the school orchestra and various music organizations.

Cho said she began playing violin when she was 6 years old and her parents put her in lessons to teach her a skill they valued. It was there she fell in love with music.

“Now, since I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s like air to me,” Cho said.

Over the years Cho has had many opportunities to play in school orchestras, as well as other organizations such as the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO) and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA).

“[When I perform] I’m not thinking about the music. I’m not thinking about anything [at all].” Cho said, “My fingers just kind of do what they do and if I’m prepared, then I’ll be successful.”

Cho has played at various events including recitals, nursing homes, accompanying the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra after winning the gold medal in their competition and twice at the retired Allen teachers annual meeting. She placed first chair two years in a row in the regional orchestra. Cho is the first student from Allen to place that high, and she said she is continually learning from her mistakes as well as her successes.

“[The hardest part of being considered a top ranked violinist at a high school age is] not becoming lazy by relying on past ranks to keep me up because laziness can destroy everything,” Cho said.

Cho said having the structure of her learning environment teaches her patience, perseverance and determination, traits she believes everyone should learn.

“[Playing violin] has made me more disciplined because it does take a lot of hard work and patience,” Cho said.  “[And] I think the discipline and patience will carry through.”

Cho does not plan to pursue a career in music; however she thinks the most important part of her musicality will stick.

Cho says her favorite part of being involved in the music world is meeting people interested in the same thing as her and being motivated by their success.

“Despite the nerves and the difficulty, I love what I do.” Cho said,  “And success is its own reward.”