Thank you for preparing me for a career in music

By ahilt21 on March 6, 2025

Dear UNO Faculty,
I graduated from UNO in 2010 and I wanted to write today how formative that time was for me and how much it has helped my career in violin performance today. The coursework made me incredibly well grounded in music theory, (especially counterpoint), collaborative performance and music history. I am incredibly grateful that UNO also allowed me to have a piano trio for a class that would become instrumental to where I am today.

Since graduating UNO, I first attended Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music in London, England and received my first masters degree in violin performance. I then was accepted into the Royal Academy of Music for baroque violin and was the only American violinist in my program. I was able during this time to perform across Europe, including Wigmore Hall.

I have moved back to the USA and I am in an orchestra in NYC and I also started a Baroque orchestra and now lead that in Willamsburg, Virginia. I am in a pianoforte trio and tomorrow we make our debut in NYC performing with the Gotham Early Music Society which will be also be live-streamed. As I get to perform this milestone in my career I wanted to thank the professors and the UNO music department for preparing me so well for a career in music.

With much gratitude,

Sophie Genevieve (née Stevens) Lowe