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Name: Grace Youn ‘13
Hometown: University Place, WA
Instrument: Violin
Major: Violin Performance, business minor
Future Plans: University of Texas Austin to pursue a Master of Music in Violin Performance.
What made you choose Puget Sound?
Puget Sound has so many wonderful qualities, but I initially chose Puget Sound because it was one of the few places I could pursue a double major. For two years, I was a double major in music performance and the Business Leadership Program. I realized that even though I enjoyed my business classes, business was not what I wanted to do. I wanted to play violin, and to do that, I needed to be fully invested in it. I have been incredibly blessed to have such great friends here at Puget Sound and such wonderful mentors. The sense of community is really overwhelming. Looking back, I realize my undergraduate education would have been completely different had I gone elsewhere. I am so thankful for all my experiences here and can’t wait to see what happens this year!
What has surprised you most about your experience?
Being able to create my own education here has really surprised me most about my experience here at Puget Sound. While I’ve taken the same core music classes as the rest of the majors in the School of Music, I have also had many unique opportunities and experiences. In my time here, I have had the opportunity to be concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestra, perform as a soloist with the Symphony and Wind Ensemble, and play in chamber groups with faculty members. I’ve been contracted as a violinist with the Tacoma Symphony, taught group violin lessons at a local private school, and coached chamber music through community music. This past summer, I attended the Innsbrook Institute, the Northwestern Summer Violin Institute, and the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Institute. I have gotten to do many things I probably would not have had the opportunity to do elsewhere. I am so thankful for my teacher, Dr. Sampen. She has been my biggest supporter and has really pushed me to create opportunities for myself. Because of her, I have been able to create an education unique to me and what I want to do.
What are you most looking forward to musically this year?
I will be applying for graduate programs in music this fall. Though this will be a scary process, I’m very excited to see what the future holds. I’m looking forward to playing a lot of violin, whether it is solo work or orchestral/chamber music. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to making music with all my friends here at Puget Sound.
What is your favorite non-musical activity on campus?
I just enjoy spending time with friends. A good chunk of my day is spent in the music building. It’s just nice to spend time and relax with people outside of there.
Additional information:
In addition to her musical contributions to Puget Sound, Grace has an active YouTube channel, where she is known for arranging covers of popular songs on violin (and sometimes other instruments). Her violin cover/mash-up of Katy Perry's "Part of Me" is featured in the movie Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D. She recently won The Rockin' Fiddle Contest 2012 for her version of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. Grace also had the honor of being a winner of the Concerto-Aria Contest her sophomore year, and a video of her performing a portion of the Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 can be found here.
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