Susanville Symphony Society Artistic Director Benjamin Wade this week announced the names of the society’s 2020 scholarship recipients. Jurgen Hirts and Kaitlyn Nakanishi will both receive a $500 scholarship to help further their education.
Kaitlyn Nakanishi is the eighteen-year-old daughter of Jon and Rochelle Nakanishi who said in her scholarship application that she has been enthralled with music for most of her life. She became involved in Susanville’s music program at a very young age, beginning violin lessons at age five. She spent many years playing for the Susanville String Academy Youth Orchestra, eventually rising to the rank of concert master.
In 8th grade, she was given the opportunity to play with the Susanville Symphony and said she felt so honored to participate in making music with so many other talented musicians and guest artists.
For the past two years, she has worked as the string instructor for the academy of music. She is glad to be able to give back and further music education for Susanville’s up and coming musicians.
In addition to violin, Kaitlyn enjoys playing piano, and singing for local church worship teams. She also loves playing sports such as soccer, as well as dancing.
This fall, Kaitlyn will be attending Pacific Union College in Napa Valley area where she will be endeavoring to obtain a double major in Biochemistry and Music. She has been given a scholarship to play in the college orchestra as well as has been offered a job teaching beginning violin students through college.
She would like to thank her incredible mother for always going above and beyond to further her musical education. Moreover, she would like to thank all of her musical mentors, in particular: Ben Wade, Craig Harris, Bruce Mcbeth and Carol Fontana.
She said that they have provided her with the musical know-how and amazing guidance which will help her to succeed.
She further would like to express gratitude to the members of the Susanville Symphony community who have dedicated themselves to providing such a kind, and encouraging environment as well as incredible opportunities for her to grow as a musician. She would not be where she is today without their love and support.
Scholarship winner Jurgen Hirts will be attending the Leopold-Mozart-Zentrum (LMZ) University of Augsburg in Augsburg, Germany for the 2020-2021 school year. He will be majoring in Music and Bassoon Performance under Bassoon Professor Nagel, with the goal of graduating with a Bachelor of Music, and becoming a professional musician and soloist.
After the first semester, he plans on, along with Bassoon Performance, studying Aerospace Engineering also at the University of Augsburg in Germany.
He intends to visit the Reno area often in the future not only to see his friends and loved ones but also to play music with groups and ensembles he has played with and grew up around. Through his music, he said he strives to preserve the sense of beauty which has been implanted in the human soul.
