Senior Isabel Yang – All-State musician, Long Island Scholar Artist, and concertmaster – stands as the head of over one hundred students in the orchestra at Great Neck North. Possessing an inherent passion for music, Yang has played violin ever since she was five, and, as of today, has spent the last twelve years practicing diligently. She practices at least an hour each week to prepare for lessons and puts in extra time if there is a recital approaching. Yang’s favorite part about being a member of the orchestra has been being able to “explore great music with other musicians,” as well as establish ties with the repertoire. The experience she has gained from playing a diverse range of pieces during her high school career has shaped her progress, but it was not just the school concerts that allowed her to evolve “from a novice to a musician.” Yang is one of several students who volunteer to play music for the sick and elderly during the orchestra’s yearly trips to the Atrias, the local elderly home, and the Cohen Children’s Hospital. She states that being able to see the joy she brings to the kids and senior citizens has been an incredibly rewarding experience, becoming one of the reasons why she continues to make music for others. In addition to playing with the orchestra, Yang is also a gifted soloist. She attended the All-County Festival and LISFA (Long Island String Festival Association) every year from elementary school up until her sophomore year, and was part of the All-State Symphony Orchestra last year. This December, she will be in attendance at All-State again as part of their String Orchestra. Outside of the school’s music program, Yang attended New York’s Summer School of the Arts, where she was “constantly immersed in orchestral studies” through rehearsals and concerts at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. When asked what advice she would give younger musicians, Yang advocates the phrase “practice makes perfect,” though she remarks that the advice is “always overused.” She recommends that a musician slowly works through sections in order to perfect them rather than running through, which is often more tempting. Yang plans on continuing to play the violin in college as part of a string or symphony orchestra, and also through volunteer services.