Photography courtesy Sophie McDowell
This Rockbridge Academy senior is accomplished in multiple disciplines
Meet musician Olivia Crane, a senior from Rockbridge Academy, a classical Christian school just outside of Annapolis. As a high-achieving student, she carries a 4.0/4.0 in advanced honors-level courses, has earned gold medals on the National Latin Exams, earned AP exam credits through self-study, earned a fellowship at The Heritage Foundation, and presented at an academic conference.
Crane also has lettered in varsity cross-country and track and field and, recently, captained the girls track and field team to a second-place finish in their league. However, her real passion is playing violin. She has been trained in classical violin for more than 10 years and started her journey in the Rockbridge Academy Suzuki Strings program in 2nd grade. Crane is especially grateful for her two violin teachers—Ale Leupold of Animato Suzuki Studio and Dr. James Stern, professor of violin at the University of Maryland—and Rockbridge Camerata director, Irma Cripe.
With Rockbridge Academy offering a strings program for students starting in 1st grade through 12th, Olivia had the opportunity to play in school, opening the door for her to make the Maryland All-state Orchestra in Violin I four years in a row. Outside of school, she was also the concertmaster of the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra in 9th and 10th grades, where she soloed the Bruch Violin Concerto. She has participated in summer music intensives at Interlochen (MI), the Philadelphia International Music Festival (PA), and was the concertmaster of the Peabody Chamber Program (MD). She is currently the concertmaster of the Rockbridge Camerata, the school’s advanced ensemble.
We spoke to Crane about her pursuits and accomplishments.
What are some challenges you faced as you have pursued violin? Consistent daily practice is a challenge for me; it’s hard to practice after a long day of school, sports, and homework. This challenge has trained me in discipline and routine; and though it is difficult, it is also deeply rewarding. When I was in 10th grade, however, I faced a heavier challenge; I developed tendonitis in my left wrist, had to stop playing, and went through months of physical therapy to come back to my instrument. It was painful and discouraging, but I grew a lot through it; I had to learn to mentally practice, sufficiently stretch and warm up, and take mindful breaks.
What role do you think violin will have in your future? I hope to grow in musicianship through college and beyond. While I do not plan on making violin performance my only career, I hope to double major, playing in symphonies and chamber music groups and taking lessons. Violin will be an important part of my life, be it playing in my church or through my free-lance ensemble, the Risata Quartet. I’m excited to have been invited for music scholarship auditions at Emory University, UMD School of Music, and Wake Forest.
Do you have any advice for young students studying an instrument? My biggest word of advice is to remember your audience. Music can make an indescribable impact; your music may touch souls in ways nothing else can. I have played for 2-year-olds and 92-year-olds who have connected with my music with joy. Also, look for improvements and don’t give up. I know it can be hard to see progress when practice seems endless. Studying an instrument takes time and dedication, but you will improve. Whenever you practice or perform, evaluate the ways you have grown, and take joy in how far you have come.
What were some of the most interesting places you played your violin? Besides orchestra and concert settings, I have played in the White House; at Dulles International Airport in my sweatpants for a stressed crowd of travelers; at the Harcourt Arms (a pub in England); busked on Cornmarket Street in the heart of Oxford, England; in the Naval Academy chapel; and flash mobbed out on West Street.
This article was contributed by Rockbridge Academy.
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