Emily Williams is a music and statistics double major from Farmington, Connecticut.  Though she didn’t start playing violin until the second grade, she has always been drawn to the arts, especially music.  She has studied classical violin privately since fourth grade and was in the youth program at the Hartt School of Music then studied with HSO principal Jarek Lis.  In high school, Emily was All-State for choir and orchestra her junior and senior years and All-National for Choir her senior year. She has played for regional orchestras including the Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Cathedral Youth Orchestra.  She currently takes violin lessons with David Sariti and is in the University Singers, Chamber Singers and has played in Chamber Ensembles. On grounds, Emily is a Vocal Director for the First Year Players’ production of “Anything Goes,” is in Virginia Dance Company, is the committee chair for Student Council’s Student Arts Committee, is a student member for the UVA Arts Council, and has played in a few pit orchestras for student theatre productions.  She has had the opportunity to teach some beginner violinists including assisting at the Farmington Suzuki Strings Academy for three summers and wants to continue this hopefully through her own studio in the future. Emily has enjoyed getting to explore different musical interests including conducting, arranging, and general songwriting during her time at UVA and can’t wait to see what other exciting opportunities await. She is incredibly thrilled and thankful to get the chance to work with all of the amazing artists in the Miller Arts Scholars program!