Eden Pawlos and Laila West, two violinists enrolled in our Young Artist Academy program performed solos before Vice President Kamala Harris spoke in front of a packed audience. Following the Vice President’s remarks, the students had an opportunity to meet her briefly.
(Left) Eden Pawlos shakes hands with VP Kamala Harris, (center) Eden Pawlos, Dr. Quinton Morris, and Laila West, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Eden Pawlos.
Eden Pawlos has been studying the violin at Key to Change for the past four years. She started lessons on Zoom during the pandemic and has quickly become a rising star in our program. She most recently made her debut with the University of Washington Philharmonia Orchestra and received a glowing review for her performance. She has also performed as a soloist with the Seattle Symphony, Federal Way Symphony Orchestra, and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she’s received top prizes in the Jessie Montgomery Division at the Solo String Festival and the annual Concerto Competition. She also performed and met Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States last September.
Next season, Eden will return as a soloist appearing with both the Federal Way Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Symphony. She is an 11th grader at Kentridge High School.
Laila West has been studying at Key to Change for almost one year and has made remarkable improvement in her playing since joining. She recently was the first runner up in the Key to Change Concerto Competition and won third place in the Jessie Montgomery Division at the Solo String Festival. She is a 10th grader at Franklin High School.
Both students study violin with Dr. Quinton Morris and Noah Geller.
