Lena Goodson
2013 Instrumental Scholarship Recipient
Lena's love for playing the double-bass began at the age of 8 when she was captivated by the unique, low tones of the instrument. Since then, her passion for the bass, classical music, and the world of orchestras has only grown. Her dream is to become a professional symphony player and continue making music throughout her life, with playing in orchestras being her favorite experience.
In the summer of 2012, Lena had the incredible opportunity to attend the renowned Interlochen Arts Camp in upstate Michigan. Having heard musicians praise the festival for years, she was finally old enough to apply and was grateful to be awarded the Emerson Scholarship, a full-tuition merit-based scholarship. The camp exceeded her expectations, immersing her in a community of artists, dancers, musicians, and fellow enthusiasts who shared her passion for music. Lena felt understood and embraced by her colleagues, engaging in endless discussions about favorite conductors, teachers, and symphonies. As an assistant principal bassist in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO), Lena found playing in an orchestra of such high caliber to be a remarkable experience.
Since her transformative experience at Interlochen, Lena has been longing for another opportunity like that. She has applied to prestigious music festival at Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Lena believes that attending this festival will fulfill her desire for a similar experience, as she anticipates working with exceptional faculty members who will push her to reach her full potential. The orchestral opportunities are also highly anticipated, promising extraordinary musical growth. Lena is eager to meet other like-minded students who share her passion for music, as she believes it will be a liberating and enriching experience that will leave a lasting impact on her musical and personal growth.