Isabel Hahn (Violin) – Santa Ana Branch
O.C. School of the Arts (Class of 2022)
Although the violin has been an integral part of my life since I was young, I had never given much thought to the gift of music until joining Love in Music in my freshman year. Before, I usually played the violin simply “going through the motions”, and admittedly there were times when it even felt like a chore. It was working with the students at Love in Music each week that allowed me to realize that music is more than just an end product; it is a shared experience that can touch the hearts of many, no matter their skill level or background.
Coming into Love in Music as a shy freshman, it was difficult at first to break out of my shell as a teacher and become comfortable around so many new students. Many of the techniques I had already embedded into myself were hard to teach and explain in words, possibly even harder than actually learning them. I began to look at music for the first time again. Playing the violin became more about the steady process, each stroke of the bow and finger pressed onto the strings. Gradually, I found that there was great beauty in all the little accomplishments reached along the way, and seeing the smiles from my students after finishing a challenging section or completing a piece made every single step of the journey worth it.
As Saturday morning lessons continued over the years, the cheerful personalities and quirky antics of my students were always my main motivator. Even throughout the 2020-2021 season, when lessons were held entirely on Zoom and I had to improvise and rethink how I taught music entirely, it was inspiring to see how my students tried their hardest to remain focused and practiced earnestly with a camera in front of them. In a challenging online environment where one-on-one communication was critical, I was surprisingly able to build stronger relationships with my students, as the fun conversations we had and the music we played together bridged the physical distance between us. I will never forget the warmth I felt in my heart as I watched the compilation of their self-recorded performance videos at the end-of-year concert, knowing just how much time and energy went into their incredible progress.
Now, having recently graduated from high school, I can confidently say that teaching at Love in Music has been one of the most rewarding activities I have ever done. Not only have I realized the beautiful gift of music can give to those who play, teach, and learn it, but I have also realized my passion for supporting my community through the arts and advocating for equitable education. My time at Love in Music may come to an end, but I will always treasure the musical memories I have made and hold them close to me as I pursue future opportunities.