Senior Spotlight: Paola Contreras Estrada

Senior+Spotlight%3A+Paola+Contreras+Estrada

Libby Haggerty, Staff Writer

“Band has had a huge impact on (Paola Contreras Estrada).” Here is the story of Paola’s life in band class using her own words:

“I was in varsity band in 9th grade and I didn’t really do much. Once I was in 10th grade, I joined jazz band and that’s where all my new opportunities started. Mr. Hammerman made me play tenor sax because we don’t really use clarinets in big band jazz. I also started taking part in improv jazz. After that, I loved it so I stayed and then later in the year I participated in Extravaganza. This opened me up to show choir. I decided to audition during my 11th-grade year and I got in playing tenor sax. It was a ton of fun and a great experience so I decided to stay in this as well. Over the summer I took part in United Marching Band (UMB) and this opened me up to the idea of possibly doing marching band in college. Last summer, I was invited to the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities Alumni Band. It was lots of fun to see people of all age groups get together and just play amazing music over the summer. This year, Shrek didn’t have a pit orchestra, but then I was invited to take part in Tartan’s musical Sister Act! This is easily one of my favorite and most challenging experiences. I had an amazing time. I also like taking part in some honor bands. These are also very challenging but are lots of fun. The reward of the concert is amazing. I currently play the clarinet in symphonic band and in a duet in the show choir ballad and occasionally in jazz. On Thursdays,  in the audition group for jazz, I play lead tenor sax. On Tuesdays, there is a student-led jazz band for everyone where I play alto sax. I might be playing baritone sax for Little Fugue in G Minor by Bach in a sax quartet. ”

NEXT UP IN THE SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Kellie McKane!