Traveling across the nation, senior Olivia Doolin plays music for many different orchestra organizations. Having been playing the violin since she was five then switching to the viola her freshman year Doolin travels across the country to play for different audiences.

“I’m going to New York and Atlanta and Boston soon, for NEC, New England Conservatory, Mercer and my Juilliard audition. And then I went to Texas, [and] Michigan. I travel in Chicago a bunch. I went to Michigan, [and also] Wisconsin,” Doolin said.

Not only does Doolin travel within the country she also travels to different parts of the world as well to perform.

“I’ve gone to Spain, I’ve gone to France, Cuba, I know that CYSO, one of the orchestras I’m in, they are thinking about either Brazil, South Africa or Japan for next year,” Doolin said.

On one of her travels Doolin was given the oppurtunity to play and instrument from an important time in history.

“I did a violin of Hope thing, which means I played this Jewish violin from the Holocaust. That was one of the last remaining artifacts for a concert in a synagogue. It was crazy,” Doolin said

After traveling to these places, Doolin feels that music helps her connect with people in every culture.

“Music is important to me because of the connection. Throughout many different cultures, I feel like music is the one thing that connects us all,” Doolin said. “Music is one of those things that every culture has their own of. It’s all unique in every different culture.”

Finding her passion for music Doolin shares her source of inspiration.

“My freshman year I met this guy, and he was in my conservatory on Saturday, and he played the viola,” Doolin said. “Being able to learn a lot from him, about how he enjoyed music and how he perceived music as an actual form of art, instead of just something you had to do every single week. It was really inspiring to me.”

After playing an instrument from five years old to her senior year Doolin plans on pursuing a career in music after high school.

“Currently my auditions have made it to the second round for The Juilliard audition, and then I’m doing my NEC audition at the New England Conservatory on the 17th. And so I just have like, three or four more auditions left,” Doolin said.

Feeling a strong connection with music, Doolin shares the importance of having art in your life.

“I feel like having a form of art in your life is super healthy for you,” Doolin said. “It’s really impactful, especially when you get to, [have] opportunities like traveling. It’s also just fun. It’s nice to have something that’s not super academic and more about expressing yourself.”