Pink ribbons attached to the violin bows follow the rhythm while sophomore Nicole Khong plays a piece in her varsity orchestra class.
“As soon as I stepped into that classroom, I met the teacher, Ms. Jackson, I was like, ‘this is what I want to do’,” Khong said. “And I picked up a violin for the first time and I was like ‘this is it’.”
Khong’s interest in music stems from when she was little which led her father to buy her a guitar and ukulele at a young age.
“I was so adamant that I was going to do choir. And that I was going to do that immediately because I loved singing as a kid. I’ve always been a very musical person,” Khong said. “And then learning ukulele and guitar, it just let me be able to sing things kind of in my own style and do it without having to be boxed in.”
After Khong learned to play guitar, she also became interested in orchestra when she entered intermediate school.
“Throughout sixth grade, the first year of orchestra, the impact that Ms. Jackson had on me was that she inspired me so much,” Khong said. “It was just kind of a safe space.”
Her instructors along with her classmates play a huge part in her journey playing music. They provide constructive feedback which in turn helps her work to the best of her ability.
“It also comes along with my mentors and my teachers that I’ve met at school,” Khong said. “They’re so inspirational, like it pushes me further to get better.”
In order to prepare for shows, Khong takes responsibility in practicing when she gets home after school.
“I think it really starts with the fundamentals. You have to understand music,” Khong said. “And so whenever I was at home practicing, I would always practice in the mirror and make sure that I didn’t look wrong.”
For Khong, playing an instrument and managing everyday activities can be difficult. Nicole prioritizes her most important tasks first and leaves practice last.
“It’s kind of hard to feel motivated to practice, especially whenever you’re so busy with so many things and you don’t feel like it,” Khong said. “Whatever’s the most important to you at that moment. You focus on that the most. And then the other things can come second. If you have other things going on, you find time to practice them whenever you’re not too busy.”
Orchestra also provides different ways of communication for Khong.
“Through orchestra, you become connected without even having to talk,” Khong said. “It’s a way of connection without verbal words.”
Khong doesn’t only connect to her orchestra in class, but she also connects to them on stage.
“Right before I play the piece, I’m pretty nervous because you got the adrenaline pumping. But then whenever I see my director standing up on the podium, it kind of reassures me,” Khong said. “I feel like I’m connected and while I’m playing I’m fully tuned in to the music. I’m very focused. I have to make sure that I’m listening to the musicians around me.”
Sophomore Tala Abdulrazeq experienced playing with Khong for the varsity orchestra last year.
“I think Nicole is a very natural-born leader. Even if she’s sitting all the way in the back you can see her moving with the music and leading the people around her,” Abdulrazeq said. “She really brings everybody together. It’s like this whole thing is a visual and auditory performance.”
When Khong performs, she readies herself to be in tune and play to the best of her ability.
“Nicole’s always in tune. When she messes up, she just hops back in,” Abdulrazeq said. “You can’t even know that she messes up. She just quickly gets focused again, and she always sounds good.”
Khong also provides harmony to the orchestra. She makes sure to come prepared to synchronize with the music around her.
“In an orchestra, you want the sound to be blended. I feel like she does that really well,” Abdulrazeq said. “Or when she needs to play out, she does. And I think that she has a very good sense of awareness around her when she’s playing.”
To Khong, playing in an orchestra isn’t only for the audience and the connection of her peers, but to also find satisfaction through her own music.
“You kind of play for yourself, but then also play for others. I feel like most musicians play for themselves to enjoy the music, to feel the connection of the music and to play stylistically the feel of the music,” Khong said. “Honestly, it’s worth it though. I love being in orchestra. There’s such an exhilarating feeling about it.”
