IN UNISON Scholars

As a full-time, third-year member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, Essence Williams is excited to be joining the IN UNISON Program as a 2024 Scholar. At the age of twelve, Essence started playing the violin. Since then, she has come to love the instrument even more. Williams is currently an incoming Sophomore at Saint Louis University (SLU). At SLU, Essence is pursuing Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with plans of becoming a Speech Language Pathologist. She is also a music minor. Outside of orchestra, Essence is heavily involved in music. Williams recently concluded her last year as a member of the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra at Webster University’s Community Music School in 2023. Previously, Williams was a member of the Young People’s Concert Orchestra for two years at CMS. Shortly after she began playing her instrument, Williams joined the Gateway Music Outreach (GMO) program led by James McKay. Through GMO, Williams has earned many opportunities to collaborate with established artists, such as multiple Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald and Grammy-nominated duo Black Violin. She has also had opportunities to work with soul singer, Brian Owens and upcoming artist, Malena Smith. For the past six years, Essence has been a member of the SLSO’s Peer to Peer Program alongside GMO. She has had the chance to participate in masterclasses with SLSO violinists Joo Kim and David Halen. Now, Essence is excited for her third year as a YO mentor in the Peer-to-Peer Program. Essence is incredibly grateful for all the opportunities that she has received.

“My goal in life is to help and inspire others through my future career in Speech Language Pathology combined with music therapy. I am deeply committed to making a positive impact on others’ lives by using my passion and skills in both fields. By blending these disciplines, I aim to support individuals in overcoming communication difficulties while enhancing their quality of life through the therapeutic power of music. Becoming an IN UNISON Scholar would help support my music studies financially and professionally, providing resources for classes, textbooks, and instrument maintenance, while continuing to give back to my community.”

Darian Hawkins is 2024 honor graduate of O’Fallon Township High School. During the 2023-2024 school year, he participated in the National Honor Society, National Music Honor Society, OTHS Symphonic Winds, SIUE Suzuki Tour Group, SIUE Advance Chamber Ensemble (concertmaster) and the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (concertmaster). Darian currently studies the violin, clarinet; piano. He began the SIUE Suzuki String Program at the age of 9 years old (studying Books 1-10 under the tutelage of Erika Lord-Castillo and Allison Woerner). He has received superior ratings in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Solo and Ensemble (2021-2023) with the violin and clarinet. He was selected for the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) All District Senior Orchestra (2020-2023) and ILMEA All-State Orchestra (2021-2023). Darian participates annually in the Belleville Philharmonic Intergenerational Orchestra (concertmaster 2024). He also participated in the BI-STATE Honors Cougar Band (2024), OTHS Music Pit (2022-2024). Edwardsville Summer Symphony (2023; 2024) and the McKendree University’s Clarinet Choir and Honor’s Clarinet Quartet (2023).

Darian won first place in the John and Kay Kendall Concerto Competition Intermediate Division (2019) and first place in the Advance Division (2023). He placed second in the 2023 Tuerck Concerto Competition. Darian enjoys attending Sunday school, reading fictional novels, creative writing, playing the flute and viola and listening to music. He will attend SIUE in the fall of 2024 to study music education. He aspires to become an educator, conductor, and Suzuki instructor.

“Music is my passion and purpose. Becoming an SLSO IN UNISON Scholar would be a life-changing opportunity. The program’s mentorship, financial support, and community would nurture my musical growth. I aspire to be a role model, inspiring others through music. With this scholarship, I can unlock my full potential and give back to my community. I am eager to contribute my talents and become a part of the SLSO IN UNISON legacy.”

Marques is a freshman Music Education Major at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and his main instrument is clarinet but also enjoy playing saxophone and flute. Marques developed my love of music from my grandfather, who enjoyed the soulful sounds of music around the house during his childhood. This inspired him so much that he decided to venture into music, where he wants to combine his two passions: teaching music and making a major impact in his community.

“Being a SLSO In Unison scholar will help broaden my skills as a performer and future music educator. In addition, I believe being a scholar will give me the platform needed to help my future students succeed. Passing on the knowledge of music has been one of my biggest values and each teacher I’ve had has done an amazing job, I plan to do the same as a scholar learning from a mentor and as an educator. I would like the opportunity to embrace what I love most and being a scholar will aid me in the future.”

Madisynn is an incoming Music Performance major at University of Missouri-St. Louis. She has  been playing cello for eight years and has had an interest in music composition and theory for about three years. Madisynn has participated in various music ensembles since she began her musical journey, such as school orchestras, her high school’s pit orchestra, summer jazz camps, and the Gateway Music Outreach community orchestra. Upon entering high school, she also had opportunities to progress with solo repertoire. Some of her proudest accomplishments are getting the highest ratings possible at MSHSAA’s Solo and Ensemble for both the district and state levels, which made her realize that she had the potential to do something great with her musical abilities.

“Being an SLSO IN UNISON Scholar will help me connect with people my age from similar backgrounds and with similar goals. It will allow me to develop professional connections earlier on than if I were to not be part of the program, as well as familiarize me with the industry I will soon be part of. Additionally, having the support of fellow program members and the SLSO will both motivate me and teach me how to be successful as an aspiring musician through example and shared experiences.”