Name – Taylor Giorgio

 

Hometown – Charleston, WV

 

Degree Program / Year of Graduation – Music Education and Violin Performance Double Major/ December 2014

 

Dream Job – Becoming a college violin professor and playing in a professional orchestra

 

Why did you come to WVU? I liked the violin professor here, Dr. Mikylah McTeer, the best out of all the schools I auditioned at. I also liked the positive and supportive attitude of the music school here at WVU.

 

What do you like best about WVU? For the most part, I like friendly attitudes of the students here. I am also impressed with the caliber of the faculty, and how many opportunities are available to students.

 

How did your foundations classes prepare you for your major? Foundation classes for music majors are written and aural theory and different levels of music history, along with the normal general education classes that every student has to take. So, music majors always have a LOT on their plate. But I believe that these theory and history classes give me deeper insight into the music I am playing, and most importantly, teach me how to efficiently manage time.

 

Did you find that you ended up enjoying a class at the CAC that you didn’t think you would? If so, why? I wasn’t sure I would like learning the secondary instruments for my music education courses (the brass and woodwind instruments), but I ended up really liking the experience.

 

What has been your favorite experience at the CAC? Well, I really love playing in orchestra, but I’m guessing my favorite experience will be when I get to perform in the Young Artist Concert in a few weeks.

 

Would your recommend your major of choice to others? Being a music education major is not easy, but I feel like I am constantly learning and pushing myself to the next level. Also, being a performance major requires a very high level of discipline, which sometimes drives me crazy! If you love music, and can’t imagine yourself being happy doing anything else, then I wholeheartedly recommend my major.

 

Describe some opportunities that you have gotten to exhibit your own work or talent that you’ve gotten while studying at the CAC. I gave my junior recital two weeks ago, and I felt that it was a good portrayal of how much I have improved since I started college. There are many chamber and new music concerts that I have had the opportunity to play in as well.

 

Who is your favorite professor and why? I believe the faculty in the School of Music is pretty fabulous, and I’ve learned so much from all of them. I really respect and admire my violin teacher though!

 

Are there times when you’ve gotten the chance to learn from visiting artists/workshops or experts in your field of study? There have been about two guest violinists per year, and I have had the opportunities to play for them in master classes.

 

Has there been a time where you’ve felt that your work while at the CAC has become a vehicle for bettering the community? I am a private violin teacher through WVU’s Community Music Program. I am helping a few families in the community by bringing music into their children’s lives. Also, many different school groups attend the various concerts at the CAC and live performance can be very inspiring to children.

 

Have you been inspired to help others or bring awareness to a social or economical issue through your art or what you’ve learned in your studies? I have learned that music can be used in many different aspects of life, and to be cliche… “the sky is the limit” when it comes to making a difference with music.  Being an education major, one of my life goals is to help students find the love I have for music!

 

How did a degree from the College prepare you for the real world? Well, I think the most valuable skill I have learned so far is how to successfully manage my time.

 

Why would you recommend your major to an incoming student? Being a music major can be stressful at times, but it definitely has its rewards.