Just A Small Town Girl....

Returning to My Hometown as a Featured Soloist:

A Full Circle Moment

Growing up in Garden City, Kansas, I was incredibly fortunate to have an orchestra program in my school. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a musician, driven by the dream of "making it" in the music world despite coming from a small town. Looking back, I realize that I pursued this path simply because I didn't know that I couldn't.

At the beginning of March, I had the extraordinary opportunity to return to my hometown as the featured soloist with the high school orchestra. This was a milestone moment for me—it was my first time performing as a soloist with an orchestra. Up until this point, my solo experiences had been with piano accompaniment, chamber music, or unaccompanied performances. Stepping into this role was both exhilarating and deeply meaningful.

Redefining "Making It" as a Musician

For a long time, I thought "making it" as a musician meant living in a major metropolis like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. But over time, I've come to redefine that cliché. I live in eastern Iowa, where I own a thriving music studio filled with students of all ages and abilities. I teach and mentor cellists, fostering their growth and passion for music. I have a continuous circuit of ensembles, symphonies, and theaters where I regularly perform fulfilling music alongside colleagues I respect and admire. Most importantly, I am able to support myself financially while being surrounded by family, friends, and a strong community. To me, that is what "making it" truly means in any profession—having a career that is fulfilling, sustainable, and surrounded by meaningful relationships.

Working with the Next Generation of Musicians

During my visit, I had the privilege of working with the current orchestra students. They were nothing short of amazing—kind, intelligent, and incredibly dedicated. It was clear how much they loved music and how fully they immersed themselves in their art. Despite limited access to private lessons and resources, these students are thriving, supported by a music department that encourages exploration in composition and eclectic musical styles.

Most of these students do not own their own instruments, instead using those provided by the school. Yet, the care and respect they show for their instruments are remarkable. Seeing them in their element, completely at home in the orchestra room, brought back so many memories of my own high school experience. I remembered what it felt like to be optimistic yet terrified about the future, navigating friendships, homework, and the whirlwind of teenage emotions.

Reuniting with My Former Teacher—Now a Colleague

One of the most surreal aspects of this experience was working alongside my former high school orchestra teacher—but now as a fellow professional. When she first started teaching in Garden City, she was just 22 years old, fresh out of college, and I was a 14-year-old sophomore. Our age gap was small, but our roles were clearly defined as teacher and student. Now, we were discussing professional topics, sharing insights, and she was even seeking my advice. The shift from mentorship to professional camaraderie was both strange and fulfilling, and it reinforced just how far I had come.

Seeing Familiar Faces in the Audience

One of the most heartwarming parts of this experience was seeing my family and friends from my past come out to support me and the orchestra students. It meant so much to look out into the audience and see familiar faces cheering us on. A good friend even recorded my performance, and I could definitely hear her sniffling in the background! For those who would like to watch the performance, you can view it here. I performed Allegro Appassionato by Saint-Saëns and Julie-O by Mark Summers.

Looking Ahead: Giving Back to My Hometown Orchestra

This experience was deeply rewarding, and I know it won’t be my last time working with the Garden City orchestra program. Whether in person or virtually, I am eager to continue supporting these young musicians and their journey. Returning to my roots reminded me why I fell in love with music in the first place and reinforced my passion for making music education accessible to all, regardless of location or resources.

Being back in my high school orchestra room, surrounded by eager students and reconnecting with my former teacher, was a full-circle moment I will always cherish. I left feeling inspired and excited for the future—both for myself and for the next generation of musicians in Garden City.

Article written by Christina Gentzsch, co-owner and cello instructor at Dynamic Music Studios in Coralville, IA.