Olivia Monks

Spring 2018

Olivia Monks is a senior at Sehome High School, and attending Running Start at Whatcom Community College. She has been playing violin for 12 years, and playing for North Sound Youth Symphony for 5 years. Olivia first started studying with Kathleen Barraclough, and eventually taking lessons from Laura Barnes in her later years. Currently, Olivia is involved with the Sehome High School Chamber and Orchestra. Her Chamber went on to perform at the WMEA State Solo and Ensemble for two years in a row. Outside of school, Olivia invested three summers enriching her musical talents at the Marrowstone Music Festival Orchestra.
The most memorable part of Olivia’s high school music career was performing for elementary schools throughout different states on her schools Orchestra tour. She loved that she could affect children’s perspective on their view of stringed instruments. Another highlight was performing in the Orchestra Pit at the high school performance of Annie. The music community has been an important part of developing Olivia’s musical abilities, and forming lifelong friendships.
Olivia would like to thank her violin instructor, Laura Barnes, for her consistent inspiration and guidance. She would also like to thank her Orchestra Director, Kirsten Doud, for her unrelenting belief in her student’s abilities. Olivia will be studying Mechanical Engineering at Montana State University in the fall and hopes to join their Symphonic Orchestra, to continue to grow as a musician.