Finding the Right Note: A Violist’s Reflection on Growth and Persistence
When Colonial Forge sophomore and violist Aaron Nyinaku first chose his instrument, he didn’t expect it to become such an important part of his life. “I was initially stuck,” he recalled. “I didn’t really have any idea which instrument I wanted to pursue.” The violin’s high notes felt “almost obnoxious,” and the bass and cello looked “too difficult.” But when Aaron discovered the viola, it “resonated as the perfect middle-ground”— a sound he enjoyed with just the right amount of personal challenge.
Balancing orchestra with a busy schedule hasn’t been easy. In school, Aaron is a student in the Commonwealth Governor’s School (CGS), plays varsity football and track and field, and participates in the Black Student Union (BSU) and National Honor Society. “My practice routine can be a bit messy sometimes,” he admitted, “but I always try to keep it as consistent as I can.” After putting his homework and assignments first, he warms up to practice with a few scales before diving into his music. “Parts of songs that I can’t play I make sure to repeat multiple times,” he says. “I also like to practice with a speaker or headphones playing the song I’m working on to replicate the feeling of a full orchestra.”
Aaron’s most memorable performance came during his 8th-grade spring concert, a milestone that still stands out today. “That year was one of the most fun years of my life, especially for orchestra,” he says. Surrounded by talented friends and guided by a beloved teacher, his final middle school concert felt more personal than just playing for an audience. “It felt like a celebration of a year that gave me some of the best memories of my life,” and to top it off, he even had his first solo!
Over time, the viola shaped Aaron not only as a musician but as a person. “When I first picked up the viola, I wasn't serious about it,” he reflected. “Now I play my instrument with a purpose.” That sense of determination carries over into everything he does— from making touchdowns across the field to making the honor roll in his classes. “Playing viola has also given me a sense of competitiveness,” he says. “It has taught me to perform under pressure and in big moments when I have to [perform] most.”
Although he hasn’t yet decided what role music will play in his professional career, one thing is for certain: he doesn’t plan to stop. “I love playing viola, and I love music,” he says. “Even if I don’t continue to play professionally, one of my goals is to keep playing, even casually. Just don’t stop.” After having participated in All-county orchestra and junior regional orchestra since middle school, Aaron’s next dream is to make it to All-State. “I know I have the talent, he says, “but I just have to put in the work. I really feel like I can.”
