“In the summer of 2019 I was invited into Milwaukee Youth Symphony’s orchestra touring group to perform all over Ireland. I paused my life for weeks to perform my viola to thousands of strangers. Castles at every corner, I felt as though I had left reality. The last concert had everyone’s faces filled with teardrops and wide spread grins. Music filled the room as applause echoed throughout the concert hall. An unforgettable journey that has changed my outlook on performance and how much it means to me. I plan to continue into performing and traveling.” – Julia Tuzhilkov, senior