Oxford High School sophomore Madison Pavliscak began playing the cello in the fourth grade. For the past six years, she’s been perfecting her craft and now all of her hard work has paid off.
Pavliscak was recently invited to travel to Europe next summer with the Blue Lake International Youth Symphony Orchestra.
‘I was so thrilled (when I got the invite) and I (have always) aspired to travel,? she said. ‘Just the fact that I get to travel (to Europe and) play my cello, which is one of my passions, with a great orchestra, is really awesome.?
Pavliscak said she became interested in the cello because her older sister, Paige, used to play violin in the orchestra.
‘I would go to her practices sometimes and I would always see the cello and thought it was the coolest thing ever,? she said.
‘She loves how it sounds,? Paige added. ‘She practices all the time in her room, just for fun.?
Madison has participated in the middle and high schools? honors orchestras, high school’s chamber orchestra as well as played two years with the Oakland Youth Orchestra in Rochester. She has also participated in the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for the past five years. This past year, she got to play in the orchestra pit for the high school’s production of the ‘Wizard of Oz.?
‘I really enjoyed that a little more than just regular orchestra, just because of the singing and the musical and everything,? Madison said. ?(I) think I want to do something on Broadway or something like that in the pit because I enjoy that a lot.?
While she mostly plays classical music, Madison said sometimes with the school orchestra, they play pop music.
‘That’s cool when they do that because it’s different when you hear a string play Fallout Boy or something,? Paige noted.
But as far as classical music goes (Beethoven, Bach, Mozart), Madison said she ‘loves them all.?
‘For Blue Lake (camp) this past year, we did Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. It was so amazing,? she said. ‘It was really challenging, but I really like the challenge.?
‘She doesn’t like when things come easy to her,? Paige added.
When not playing her cello, Madison can be seen on the sidelines as a member of Oxford High School’s varsity cheerleading team. She also applies herself in the classroom as demonstrated by the 3.8 grade point average she’s earned since middle school.
As far as where her musical talent comes from, it runs in the family.
‘We got the whole musical side from our dad,? Madison said. ‘He grew up with that and we grew up with him singing and playing stuff (on the guitar).?
However, the family didn’t really appreciate classical music until Madison took up the cello. ‘My dad is a rock kind of person,? Madison said.
?(He is into) Journey and Bon Jovi, which is far from the cello,? Paige added. ‘Madison has an influence on us, too, because we get to experience new music when she brings (it) home.?
As far as her future goes, Madison just wants to keep playing the cello.
To learn more about Madison and how you can help her achieve her dream to travel to Europe, visit www.sendme2europe.com