b'senior soloist senior soloistEsther Koo Layla MorrisE sther Koo, a senior at South Burlington High School, has played the violin L ayla Morris began playing the cello nearly fifteen years ago, at the age of three.since the age of 10. After learning violin for less than a year, she competed andShe is currently a senior at Champlain Valley Union High School. Layla won 1st place in several Kiwanis music competitions. She was a part of the Eastparticipated in the All State Music Festival in 2018 and 2019 as well as theCarolina University Summer Music Institute and VIA Academy, branched fromNew England Music Festival in 2019, holding the position of principal cellist in the New World Symphony. Esther has been involved in many chamber groups, notably theall three festival orchestras. She was also awarded the position for both festivals in 2020, Gospel Praise Ensemble, a violin, flute, and piano trio, for 6 years. Her weekly solo andwhich were cancelled due to COVID-19. As a sophomore, Laya was a recipient of anchamber performances can be found on YouTube and Facebook.All State Scholarship award, and received the All State Scholarship Performance award as Since moving to Vermont two years ago, she has been a first violinist in the Vermonta junior. She was also selected to give a solo performance during the 2020 New England All-State Orchestra, and is a first violinist of the VYO, serving as the concertmaster ofMusic Festival. the Classical Orchestra. She is a member of the Back to Bach project, a global initiativeLayla has been a member of the VYO since 2016. She has worked as a cello accompanist to encourage youth to study music, and a member of the GUMC Handbell Choir. Aat Vermont Suzuki Violins since 2015. She began her private studies as a Suzuki student passion of hers since the start of high school is frequently performing in her community,of Anne Brown, and she currently studies with John Dunlop. Last February, she had the particularly in senior homes, veterans homes, and weddings. Her past teachers includehonor of performing with the Vermont Philharmonic as the recipient of the Borowicz Steven Kamradt, Professor Hye-Jin Kim, Keunjae Song, and she is currently studying withScholarship Competition. During the summers, Layla is a student at Kinhaven Music Ira Morris. School in Weston, Vermont.Outside of music, Esther enjoys biking with her family, reading books, and pursuingOutside of cello, Layla enjoys singing with the CVU Madrigal Singers, alpine skiing, and environmental scientific research. She also enjoys filming and editing videos in her pampering her extremely spoiled cat.free time.22 23'