Student Violinist Wins Competition and Concert Debut

Laila West (age 16) was selected to perform as a soloist with the University of Washington Philharmonia Campus Orchestra on May 31 at Meany Hall for the Performing Arts. Laila will perform the first movement of Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in G minor. She was selected by two UW professors who listened to multiple students compete before awarding Laila the first prize. 

Laila is a junior at Franklin High School and recently made her debut with the Tacoma Community College Orchestra. She has also performed for former Vice President Kamala Harris and many community events. 

Laila studies the violin with Dr. Quinton Morris at Key to Change. Key to Change is a violin and viola studio in Renton, where middle and high school students receive world-class music instruction with Dr. Morris and his staff.

Share the Post:

Related Posts

Award-winning violinist Curtis Stewart teaches another special masterclass for our students

Curtis Stewart asking violin student, Sid, to imagine a scene for the piece he was practicing Key to Change welcomed back Curtis Stewart, seven-time GRAMMY-nominated ...
Read More

A Lasting Legacy: Celebrating the Walter Schwede Music Library

Honoring a remarkable life in music and inspiring the next generation of violinists (Left) Dr. Quinton Morris and his late violin teacher, Walter Schwede   ...
Read More

Seattle University President leads second lecture of Inspiring Possibilities college and career readiness series

Dr. Morris and Eduardo Peñalver engaged in conversation on November 6, 2025 Last week, Key to Change’s Inspiring Possibilities series continued with a very special ...
Read More