Testimonials

Arcadia Orchestra alumni go on to become successful in college and in their careers, thanks to the life skills they learned and the connections they made during their 4 years of orchestra, like these alumni:

"No other program in Arcadia gave the same depth and breadth of knowledge, experience, and friendships like the orchestra program did. You spend time together not only at school, but at rehearsals, concerts, and trips! The friendships that I have created with my freshmen year friends are still the ones I keep in touch now in college. Even in college, I believe Arcadia Orchestra helped prepare me socially to integrate into college life; by entering orchestra in college, the skills I learned in Arcadia translated into the college orchestra scene which helped me make friends within the first week of school!
Talking to my peers within the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra and the Dartmouth community as a whole, it was truly shocking to see the difference between our music program and other high schools. Our program is huge! No other high schools really compared to Arcadia’s in terms of the amount of time, funding, and maturity spent on our orchestra program.
...Orchestra is more than music, it’s the community that students like you help foster. You’ll struggle together when things go wrong. But you will also see the success you build together, whether it’s within the orchestra or between friends."
- William An, cellist, Class of 2023
Dartmouth College, Economics & Music 

"I remember in my freshman year, Ms. Chen told the class that all of the alumni she’s talked to say they miss two things: being able to play every day, and attending music camp. At the time, I balked at the idea. Being graduated for 6 years however, I miss it every day. Don’t pass up the chance to enrich your high school experience! Just to put it into perspective, I went on a camping trip with one of my section members and his fiancée the other day."
- Jonathan Mahdavi, bassist, Class of 2018
University of Colorado, Boulder, Quantitative Finance & Econometrics. Current profession: Financial Analyst

"The community of friends and support I found in orchestra was unmatched. While at AHS, I was also involved in other extracurricular activities like sports but feel that I learned a lot about team work and collaboration in orchestra while still having lots of fun."
- Megan Lau, violinist, Class of 2019
Boston University, Business. Current profession: Consultant

"Orchestra was so fun for me. I don't regret it one bit, even though it was a time commitment or stressful at times when we had to perform. It was very essential in introducing me to working as a well-oiled machine with so many other people and genuinely playing with all the other parts of the orchestra was so fun. I always looked forward to the class at the end of the day and playing that instrument every day really does improve your life, even if you don't notice it. I learned so many things that are applicable to my life even now, like learning and understanding an instrument, using audio editors, and generally being more cultured about the arts and music history than my other peers. 
I also met some older students and high school seniors while being a sophomore/junior in my class. I felt like they were able to mentor me and really be my big sibling, answering my questions, and just sharing their experience with me. To me, those conversations and mentorship I had was invaluable. That's the nice thing about having a class that has many grade levels. I think back on my high school years very fondly, largely due to orchestra.
Besides, you can join [Tri-M Honor Society] as a musician, [which] appears great on college apps that show that you have a variety of experiences and were involved in school.
You'll never get a chance like this anywhere else, at anytime else in your life to learn an instrument free of charge and be under excellent instructing. Take advantage of this opportunity please, it'll never be a waste to try a new thing and step out of your comfort zone!"
- Christina Xu, violinist, Class of 2021
UC Riverside, Chemistry 

"I greatly enjoyed being a part of the Arcadia Orchestra program because it allowed me to engage in my passion for music alongside my friends. I made close friendships in orchestra that I would not have been able to make elsewhere, due to the amount of time we spent together and our shared experiences and interests, not to mention the large number of people you are able to meet. Orchestra presented me with unique opportunities that many other AHS students are unable to be a part of, such as performing at various venues, working with elementary school students, and going to amusement parks and fun trips. It also presented me with the first leadership position I had ever been granted; being a section leader taught me valuable leadership and collaboration skills that I am still grateful for."
- Michelle Gunawan, violist, Class of 2020
UC Berkeley, Molecular Environmental Biology. Current pre-med student and medical assistant 

"I met some of my closest high school friends through Orchestra! The trips, rehearsals, and just the welcoming musical community was one of my favorite parts of high school. It was a great way to relax and decompress, especially with all the difficult classes I was taking. I still play violin today and jam with some friends in college!"
- Shreya Jampana, violinist, Class of 2022
Harvey Mudd College, Engineering

"Orchestra has helped me create lifelong friends and memories. I was an Arcadia High School bass player from 2019–2023. I go to college on the East Coast, but whenever I come home, I do something with my section. One thing I regret and miss dearly is being in an orchestra. At my college, we don't have an orchestra program, and I look back on my orchestra days because I took them for granted. I still listen to my concerts. I have memories from every year I was in the orchestra. I have to say 80% of my go-to high school memories are from orchestra. I may not be playing my instrument anymore, but I will never regret being part of the Arcadia Orchestra."
- Camila Cosme, bassist, Class of 2023
Loyola Marymount University, Maryland, Computer Science 

"Being in the orchestra program helped me show colleges that I was passionate and dedicated to an interest. It also helped me learn that perseverance in the face of challenges pays off, which was useful during college. Being in orchestra enhanced my high school experience by providing a less serious period that served as a change of pace during the monotony of a usual school day. It also allowed me to meet some of my best friends in high school and hang out with and work alongside them everyday, which doesn't happen after high school. Some of my favorite memories from orchestra are our annual trips to SF/SD. Those were unique opportunities to travel with friends that not many groups in high school get to partake in. Another favorite memory was being able to experience recording a soundtrack at Disneyland. That is definitely an opportunity I would never have gotten nor known about if not for Arcadia Orchestras. Beyond just classical music, the understanding of music that I gained from my four years in orchestra continue to enhance my love of music. Music is a big part of my life as it is for many, but I feel lucky to have an enhanced appreciation for the technical aspects because of my background in music. It underscores my understanding of music in dance as well, which is another big part of my life."
- Catherine Esguerra, violinist, Class of 2019
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Business Administration. Current profession: Data Analyst