Senior Spotlight: Sophie Leyva (viola)

What AYPO ensembles have you played in and for how long?

I've played in AYSE, AYCO, AYSO, and AYP for a total of seven years.

A funny, favorite, or memorable AYPO experience?

I'll always remember playing the Bacchanale from Samson et Delilah as a little kid in AYSE. I loved it and I came back to AYPO because of it.

What musician inspires you and why?

Anna Meredith, because she uses classical training and both acoustic and electronic instruments to compose. Her work on the soundtrack of Eighth Grade was incredible.

Your advice for young musicians?

Make sure you're always working on one piece you love, just for fun, especially during audition season. It'll keep your brain from getting fried.

What do you hope to do after graduation?

I hope to continue pursuing viola in college and balance music with a sociology major. Right now, I'm recording original music as an end-of-school project.