According to freshman Hannah Greenstein, growing up learning to play orchestral instruments began her love of orchestra, which made her realize she wants orchestra to be in her future.

“I would hopefully like to major in music and continue (playing orchestra) professionally,” Greenstein said.

Greenstein said she has been playing in an orchestra since she was in elementary school.  

“I’ve been playing orchestra music since I was seven,” Greenstein said. “I started school orchestra in seventh grade.”

Orchestra director Miriam Edgar said she placed Greenstein in the Park chamber orchestra when she was in eighth grade to fill the spot a high schooler could not fill.

“This year, I needed a violaist and last year in (chamber) orchestra we needed a violaist, so I switched (Greenstein) to viola (from cello),” Edgar said. “(Greenstein) plays cello in regular orchestra.”

According to Greenstein, while she was originally drawn to the cello because it was easy to learn, she jumped at the opportunity to play viola in the chamber orchestra.

“I was in eighth grade because back then the time was different so it worked out where I could do chamber (orchestra) in the morning and then go (back) to the middle school for my first class,” Greenstein said.

Edgar said she recognizes Greenstein’s support for her fellow classmates.

“(What) I really appreciate about (Greenstein) is that she very flexible and willing to help her peers,” Edgar said.

Orchestra bass player, freshman Sam Sietsema, said Greenstein helped him understand difficult notes on the bass.

“The other day I was trying do a solo in “Adagio,” and I couldn’t figure out what notes they were, so I asked (Greenstein) to come over and play (the piece), and she could because she read the same clef as me,” Sietsema said. According to Greenstein, her greatest accomplishment so far is having a significant solo in the Twin Cities Youth Symphonies concert.

“I’m in the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies and we have a concert at Orchestra Hall every year,” Greenstein said. “I got to play a big solo at (that) concert last year.”

Edgar said Greenstein helps younger orchestra students learn their music.

“(Greenstein) teaches privately to some of our younger students in the district,” Edgar said. “She is building the bridge between the schools and she gets to build experience that way too and see what it is like to work as a professional.”

Greenstein said improving her talents is a big accomplishment for her.
“I’ve made a lot of improvements (since beginning to learn cello) over the last two years especially,” Greenstein said.