Viviana Preciado, age 18
Senior at Green Valley High School

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As we talk about some of your FAYM experiences and interests, what would it be helpful for me to know about you?

I’m currently a senior at Green Valley High School. I’ve been on the robotics team for four years, and I’m also a volunteer in clubs like Key Club and National Honor Society, and the president of the school’s Crochet club. But what I’m really passionate about is engineering; I know that’s what I want to study in college. I also love doing crafts and creative projects. It’s just a really fun way for me to express myself. Right now, I’m working on a draft for a project, and I just started learning how to play the trumpet! It’s new for me, but I wanted to try something different and musical outside of the violin.

 

What do you remember about starting to play the violin?

I remember being so excited watching people play scales, being so impressed by that. Just a simple scale, like an A or a G scales. That’s the coolest thing. My siblings and I started together. I remember after a couple weeks, we finally got real bows, and that was so exciting because we were finally starting to touch and play the strings. Sure, we were bad in the beginning, but we’ve been doing it for seven years, and we’ve come a long way.

 

What have you found challenging about playing the violin? 

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing school responsibilities with finding time to practice consistently. Between academics, extracurriculars, and other commitments, it can be difficult to set aside focused time for the violin. Technically, I’ve also found certain techniques, like vibrato, to be physically challenging and something I continue to work on improving.. 

 

You have siblings who also play. How is your approach to practicing similar to or different from theirs?

My brother and sister are usually very disciplined when they practice—they tend to play their pieces straight through multiple times without stopping. My approach is a bit different. When I make a mistake, I usually pause and repeat that specific section or measure until I get it right. I also have a lot of energy, so I sometimes need short breaks to refocus before continuing. I’ve learned that stepping away for a moment can help me return to practice with better concentration.

 

What pieces have you especially enjoyed playing? 

One piece I really enjoyed was Hunters’ Chorus, which I learned during private lessons over COVID. My teacher encouraged me to imagine a story while playing, and I pictured a little fox darting around, trying to escape a hunter. In the end, the fox and hunter decide to stop chasing each other and simply enjoy the day. Creating that kind of narrative made the music feel more alive and expressive.

Another favorite was Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, which I played in mariachi. I had already heard it in a video game where characters were dancing, so I was really excited to perform it myself—especially since I love music that makes people want to move or dance.

Tell me about a favorite experience with FAYM.

 

One of my favorite experiences was when our usual building was under construction, and we had to practice across the street at a sports center. The rooms there had really echoey acoustics, which gave everything we played a rich, resonant sound. During that time, my sister and I worked on a duet in our private lessons and later performed it at a recital. Hearing our music fill that space was incredible—the natural echo really enhanced the sound and made the performance feel even more special.

 

What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

I listen to a wide variety of music. Classical is a big part of my life, especially since I’m involved in orchestra. I also enjoy jazz, particularly swing jazz, as it has such a lively and dynamic energy. My favorite genre to listen to, though, is movie soundtracks. I love how they tell a story through music, and the way they can evoke such strong emotions and imagery.

 

Tell me about your plans and hopes for the future. 

I’ll be attending UNLV at the Howard Hughes College of Engineering to study mechanical engineering and entertainment engineering and design. Through robotics, I’ve gained experience in designing with CAD, creating models, and testing them in real-life applications. What really inspired me to pursue engineering was my dad—he’s an engineer himself, and every summer he’d teach me about computers and how they work. Those moments really sparked my interest and made me want to follow in his footsteps

 

Looking ahead, do you see yourself continuing to play the violin? Explain.

I definitely won’t stop. I really enjoy playing the violin, and I have two siblings who enjoy it even more than I do. Once I leave FAYM and high school, I plan to keep playing for family gatherings and social events. I probably won’t be doing large concerts, but I’ll still play for fun.

 

What might you tell a beginning violin student to encourage him or her?

It’s amazing that you’re starting this journey. You’ll make mistakes at first—and that’s okay. Everyone does. The important thing is to keep going. As you practice, you’ll make fewer mistakes and learn from each one. That process of trial and error is a huge part of learning to play music, and it’s how you grow as a musician.

 

How has being involved with FAYM influenced how you think of yourself? 

Before FAYM, the only time I’d been on stage was through theater. In plays, there’s some flexibility—you can improvise if something goes wrong. But in concerts, the music has to be precise. If you make a mistake, the audience notices. That challenged me to build confidence in my playing and to play louder and more boldly.

I’ve always been talkative, but when I was younger, that side of me mostly came out around family. Learning to perform with confidence has helped me become more comfortable expressing myself in other areas, too. Now, when I present myself in front of others, I draw from that same confidence I use when I’m performing on stage.

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Other thoughts about FAYM? 

I think FAYM is a wonderful place. I really appreciate Mr. Weller, Mr. Ochoa, and everyone who’s made it possible for us to learn and play the violin. Being part of FAYM has also given me the chance to meet amazing people—like Mr. Ochoa’s wife, Cyndi. I had a great conversation with her at a concert and found out we share a lot of interests, like plants, gardening, and welding. Without FAYM, I wouldn’t have made those kinds of connections.

I am so grateful for all these years in FAYM, and thankful to the board members and everyone who made it possible.