She Did It!!!!!

 One year ago I took a road trip to Rochester, NY with my daughter, Annie, to visit the Eastman School of Music.  It was a cold, dreary day, but I got a good feeling driving under the welcome sign.

The city of Rochester was not impressive in itself.  It was run-down.  There weren't very many people walking on the streets.  Then we got to the school.

Annie wanted a picture next to the Eastman sign before we went inside.  Annie had an appointment the next day with the saxophone professor, Chien-Kwan Lin,  and we wanted to scope it out and make sure we knew how to find his office.

We entered new wing of the school, which was very bright and modern.  It seemed very intimidating.

We told them we were visiting, and they let us into the Kodak Theater to watch a performance of the Rochester Philharmonic.   Annie's face lit up in awe at the beautiful theater and the wonderful music.

and we couldn't keep our eyes off the spectacular chandelier suspended from the ceiling!

We came back the next morning for Annie's lesson with Professor Lin.  While I was waiting for Annie, I walked around.  There were many students and workers around, and what made the biggest impression on me was how friendly everyone was - and how happy they were.  It may have been cold and dreary outside, but there was a feeling of warmth and excitement in this school.

The inscription on this sculpture says "Music is Essential".

Her lesson went well and she liked Professor Lin.  He even invited Annie to come to his Summer Saxophone camp, waiving the need to audition.  Before we left, we checked out one of the smaller recital halls in the new wing.  It was so beautiful!  I made Annie get on stage for a quick picture!

Annie never told me this at the time, but she thought her chances of ever getting into Eastman were slim to none.   Over the following weeks, I kept asking her if she wanted to go to Professor Lin's summer camp and she didn't seem interested - until Professor Lin sent Annie friendly email wondering if he should hold a spot for her!  Then she was excited about it.

This picture was taken last summer with the students at the camp - high school and college students.  Annie is 2nd from the right in the front row.  This is the same stage where she stood alone on our visit.
And here is one song from their performance at the end of the week:


Annie had a GREAT week!  She got a taste of what it would be like to go to school there and study under "Chien-Kwan".   She liked him as a teacher and as a person.  He has so much joy for music and radiates energy and enthusiasm.

Chien-Kwan is in the center of the group next to Annie.

This past fall, Annie applied to five schools:  Central Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut, Ithaca College, Hartt School of Music, and Eastman School of Music.   Auditions took place during the end of January and most of February. Eastman was her last audition.

Here is a note that Adam wrote on Annie's white board in her bedroom:

It says "Dear Annie, Good luck, Love, Adam"


She was accepted into the first four schools, but was waiting to hear from Eastman.  Ever since we visited a year ago,  I always pictured her in my mind at Eastman whenever I thought about her college life.  I was hoping and praying that she would be accepted!

Tonight, surrounded by her high school music friends, she got a phone call from the admissions office at Eastman to let her know that she has been accepted into Chien-Kwan's saxophone studio! (Annie is the one who is crying!)

This fabulous school will be where Annie spends the next 4 or 5 years.  She plans to double major in music performance and music education.

Thank you, Chien-Kwan!  Congratulations, Annie!  You deserve it, and I know you'll make the most of all Eastman has to offer!  We will be making many treks to Rochester during the coming years to hear you play and visit!  We are soooo proud of you!