Cole Plays Violin for Pope Francis Mass in USA

What organization recognized the achievement?

I am a 2013 graduate of Seton and currently a Junior and Honor student at Catholic University of America on a music and academic scholarship. I am a violin performance/music education double major and a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. As a violinist in the CUA orchestra, I had the honor and thrill of a lifetime performing at the Canonization Mass of St Junipero Serra celebrated by Pope Francis.

How did homeschooling help you achieve your goal?

Homeschooling helped me develop a strong sense of time management, organization skills, and independent planning. It allowed me to be flexible with my school schedule so I could participate in youth orchestras, chamber ensembles, private lessons for violin and piano, and have practice time for competitions and auditions while being an active youth leader at my parish and row on St Andrew’s rowing team. Without a doubt, the rigorous program at Seton prepared me well for the demands of college and, I think, played a large part in the academic scholarship I received making it feasible for me to attend Catholic University.

What are your interests?

Music. I have always been passionate about music – whether obsessing about music and its persuasive and pervasive impact on society and culture, or just how fantastic a technique or compositional structure was used, or appreciating the acoustics of the Basilica.

What are you inspired to do with your life?

I plan to teach music, whether it is to children who are learning their first instrument or directing a group of students in a high school orchestra. I also plan to perform in small and large ensembles, anything from ballets to operas, from baroque to post-modern, from Bartok to Rubenstein.