Embedded Files
In my three years pursuing undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Data Science, I kept myself closely connected to the performing arts. While many of the performances featured here are from my high-school years, I continually strived to refine my musicianship and appreciation for the arts.
Currently, my goals are focused on developing as an artist while exploring how technology can strengthen access to music-making and creative expression. Graduate study offers a path to unite my background in data science with my long-standing involvement in the arts. The experiences shared here form the basis of these goals and the direction I hope to pursue.
My journey as a Violinist
Featured Performances (Spring 2022)
Pablo de Sarasate
Zigeunerweisen Op.20
Performed at the Morgantown High School Spring Orchestra Concert. This was my first experience performing an orchestra-accompanied solo, made even more special by the support of my classmates and friends.
Jean Sibelius
Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.47 Mvt. I.
Performed at the Morgantown High School Spring Chamber Recital. This movement remains one of my favorites for its dramatic chords after the cadenza and the epic tenths that close it out.
Continued Musicianship (2023-)
Pit Orchestra Violinist
I was invited to return to my high school after my first year of undergrad to play violin for their production of Freaky Friday, performing with local professional musicians.
Wedding Quartet
I organized and performed in a string quartet for a friend’s wedding, and worked with the group to create a custom arrangement for the ceremony. I was honored to contribute to their celebration.
Easter Service
I was invited to play violin for Easter service at a friend's church. The wonderful experience sharing music in a warm community setting reminded me to cherish every opportunity I have to perform.
Personal Music Challenge (Jan 2025)
Hearing Itzhak Perlman and Vadim Gluzman perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in winter 2024–25 reminded me of how exciting live music can be. Motivated by their performances, I set myself the challenge of learning Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasie, a piece I had admired but never attempted.
For roughly a month, I practiced the introduction and first movement for about an hour each day and recorded my sessions along the way. It was the first time since high school that I had learned such a challenging piece from scratch, and approaching it without a performance or audition goal felt freeing as it allowed me to approach musicality with greater maturity and enjoyment.
A selection of the recordings are linked here.
Two Week Progress Update
Testimonials
A couple of my former high school mentors have kindly shared their thoughts about our time together. Their support has been instrumental in my growth as a musician.
Dr. Lauren Tosh
"Elliot is a seeker of conversations and experiences that foster innovation, creativity, and passion. He is intellectually curious and has a wide array of interests that make him versatile and malleable. I have always looked forward to classes, rehearsals, and casual conversations with Elliot because of his consistent focus on self-growth while also investing in others. His deliberate balance of academia, musicianship, community service, and social life is well beyond his years. Working with Elliot always inspired me, as a music educator, to consider growth experiences for all levels of students. He has a mature sense of musical meaning- not just in the specific- but in the greater scheme of things that bring quality of life."
Lorne Hyskell
"As a student, Elliot was always so helpful towards his peers; he frequently helped with phrasing, bowings, technique, and overall musicality decisions. He is a natural leader that people can and will follow. His technique is outstanding, and his musical maturity is some of the finest that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Beyond being a stand out in our class, I’ve had the pleasure to play in an Orchestral Pit alongside him for a school production. He has always acted professionally, been prepared, and ensured that he could elevate our student performers.
Since his graduation, he and his father have continually recorded and produced AV files for various Choir, Orchestra, and Band performances. The highest level of these has been our November Spirit of America performance that features our entire Music Department. Elliot has gone above and beyond to ensure that soloists get recorded with both audio as well as secondary camera angles, culminating in an incredibly polished product that includes high quality audio with multiple camera angles."
Giving back to Musical Theater
During High School (2022)
After my high school’s musical theater productions were cancelled during my sophomore and junior years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was excited to finally participate in the pit orchestra for our senior-year production of 9 to 5. When the stage manager stepped down at the last minute and our assistant was new to the role, I stepped into the position, drawing on my early experiences performing in musical theater as a child and helping with set construction and backstage work.
Introduction to Morgantown Theater Company (2022-23)
My first experience with the Morgantown Theater Company was as part of a barbershop quartet recruited to perform in their production of The Music Man in 2022. I returned to perform as Mr. Mayor in their production of Seussical at the end of the semester. With their stage manager leaving after Seussical and my recent experience stage managing 9 to 5 at Morgantown High School, I took over as stage manager and have continued to do so.
Stage Managing at Morgantown Theater Company
Working with student performers has been one of my favorite parts of being involved in theater. Their curiosity and drive often remind me of the excitement I felt when I first dreamed about a life as a violin soloist, and it reinforces how important creative communities are. These experiences motivate me to find ways to help others explore and grow through the arts!
Willy Wonka JR. (2023)
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Annie (2023)
Grease (2024)
Honk! (2024)
Alice in Wonderland JR. (2025)
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