Being part of GDYO definitely impacted my life, surrounding me with other students that were serious about music as well as giving me a clear vision for what I wanted to study in college.

Holly Knoch is a violinist from Dallas, Texas.  She began her musical studies at the age of five. 
Throughout her schooling, Holly participated in the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra as well as the Texas All-State String Orchestra.  She attended the Cambridge International Violin Academy in 2017, the Liberec International Violin Academy in 2018, and the Texas Music Festival in 2019, receiving lessons from renowned violinists Simon James and Danielle Belen. 

Holly Knoch holds a Bachelor of Music for violin performance and is currently pursuing her Masters of Music for violin performance at CalArts. Holly is presently studying under the tutelage of Andrew McIntosh at the California Institute of the Arts, and has previously studied with Orit Beder, Martha Walvoord of the University of Texas at Arlington, and Kirsten Yon of the University of Houston. 

WHAT YEAR DID YOU GRADUATE FROM GDYO?

I graduated from GDYO in May 2017, having been with the organization for 7 years.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE GDYO EXPERIENCE OR MEMORY? DO YOU FEEL THAT GDYO HAD AN IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?

My favorite experiences were performing at the professional venues, especially the Meyerson, as well the times we accompanied professional soloists. Being part of GDYO definitely impacted my life, surrounding me with other students that were serious about music as well as giving me a clear vision for what i wanted to study in college.

TELL US WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO SINCE GRADUATING FROM GDYO.

I attended University of Houston, where I graduated with a degree in Violin Performance. I got opportunties to participate in festivals in England, the Czech Republic and the competitive Texas Music Festival. I am now living in Los Angeles where I will be attending graduate school at the California Institute of the Arts for my Masters in Violin Performance. 

WHAT LIFE ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF SO FAR & WHY?

I am very proud of completing my Bachelor’s degree in music, as well as having been on the deans list every semester. Those 4 years were the toughest I’ve experienced, but so glad I finished well.

TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL GOALS FOR THE FUTURE.

My long term goal is to be able to freelance perform and teach full time. I hope to be a studio musician as well as accompany other musicians.

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

What inspires me is watching performers of all kinds do what they love. For me, this includes classical musicians, pop singers, and string players in the alternative style.

ANY HOBBIES, FUN FACTS, OR LIFE HIGHLIGHTS OUTSIDE YOUR CAREER YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?

I’m a big Disney fan and very excited to be living in Los Angeles close to Disneyland.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO CURRENT GDYO STUDENTS?

Be curious about other kinds of music other than classical. Branch out and see what you can find and you’ll be amazed at how much there is to be creative with. Learning how to play Alternative styles of music on my violin was and is the most beneficial thing I could have done.

THANK YOU HOLLY FOR STEPPING INTO GDYO’S ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT! 

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SHARING THE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT OR WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GDYO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, CONTACT CHARILYNE ROJAS AT CHARILYNE@GDYO.ORG.

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