Artist of the Week: Senior Meron Abebe

“Music has an incredible power to tug at every emotion of the listener, and being able to manifest those emotions with my instrument, whether they are happy or upsetting, is amazing.”- Senior Meron Abebe 

“I’m a musician because I love the way music feels.”

Artist of the Week, senior Meron Abebe, has been a violin player for 10 years, and she is currently first chair of the orchestra’s violin section.

At only 17, Abebe has already racked up a list of hefty accomplishments, including Abebe’s selection through rigorous auditions as a member of multiple advanced-level orchestras such as the Northern Iowa Junior Orchestra (NIJO) and the Northern Iowa Youth Orchestra (NIYO). Abebe has also been selected twice as a member of the Iowa High School All State orchestra, and most recently, she was selected to perform as first chair of the first violin section in the NIYO.

“I have met so many new friends through the different ensembles I have been part of. No matter how large the ensemble is, everyone there has a common goal to create something together,” Abebe said. “I really enjoy getting to know other musicians and learning from them. I keep playing because of the way music has led me to some of the most influential people in my life.”

Though she is a successful performer, the power of playing the violin stretches beyond Abebe’s  accomplishments. “My instrument connects me to other people in a way that is unique to performing artists,” Abebe said. “Music has an incredible power to tug at every emotion of the listener, and being able to manifest those emotions with my instrument, whether they are happy or upsetting, is amazing.”

Abebe is quick to give credit to the people she has met along her journey to success for her enjoyment of playing. “School orchestra is a ton of fun because I’m surrounded by dozens of friends, and we all have a good time playing together,” Abebe said. “The people I am surrounded by in fourth hour really make my experience so much better.”

Instructors and teachers have also played large roles in Abebe’s development as an artist, and have become close friends and role models in her life. “The people who influence me the most are my instructors because they’re amazing at what they do, and they genuinely love it. Some people can be great musicians and awful teachers, or vice versa. I’m lucky enough to have instructors who are great at both,” Abebe said. “A lot of these people have become more like friends to me.”

This year, Abebe will not stop reaching for her goals just as she has throughout her 10 years as a violinist. “My goals as an artist this year are to get into All State again and to do well on my college auditions,” Abebe said. “I’m doing my best to prepare for the different requirements I need to meet in order to be accepted into university music programs.”

As for the future, Abebe’s fervor shows no indication that it will slow down from the pace it has been throughout her career when she graduates from Cedar Falls this spring. “I plan on continuing my music career into college and beyond. I really want to be a musician for as long as possible.”