Gabriel Leu

I'm a high school homeschooler, violin student, and pianist in East Texas.

My study of music began with the piano in 2016. In 2019 and '20, I participated in ETMTA's annual piano Achievement Auditions. I was selected to perform works by Chopin and Schubert in their honors recitals.

In 2019, my musical interest expanded to string playing, and I began cello lessons in 2020. Later in the year, I decided to discontinue piano lessons to focus more on the cello. Interestingly, my sister started on the violin a few months after my first cello lessons. As I observed my sister's instruction, I learned more about playing the violin. My fascination with the violin eventually grew so much that it surpassed my interest in the cello. I felt torn between the two instruments but so mesmerized by the idea of playing the violin that I couldn't give it up. Having to choose only one of the two for financial reasons, I switched to the violin in December 2020.

My fantastic teacher is ETSO violinist Jamie Reason. She has taught me (and continues to teach me) so much about technique, musicality, being a good performer, and loving learning as a violinist. In 2021, with Mrs. Reason's guidance, I entered the East Texas Youth Orchestra and performed as second-chair violinist in my TMEA all-region orchestra.

I love playing the violin with all my heart. I still play the piano very often, especially as a church musician, and I pick up the cello occasionally and "scratch away" at it! I also love singing and am currently in the choir at my church.

I cannot live without music. It's always in my head, my ears, and my hands!