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 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 Peer to Peer. 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.”

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

Arissa Ford is a passionate music student currently in her junior year at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she is majoring in Music with an emphasis in Business. Her love for music began in the 6th grade when she performed a solo in her school choir, an experience that ignited her lifelong passion. Since then, Ford has dedicated herself to both the artistic and business aspects of the music world, seeking to blend her creative talents with her entrepreneurial aspirations.

At UMSL, Ford is focusing on how music intersects with business, aiming to gain the skills and knowledge needed to create an organization that supports voice students and instrumentalists. She is particularly passionate about building a community for musicians who share her love for the art, and her goal is to provide a space where musicians can thrive, collaborate, and develop their craft.

Ford’s dedication to both her musical and business studies reflects her ambition to create lasting impact within the music industry. With her sights set on helping future musicians succeed, she continues to work hard towards her goal of making a meaningful contribution to the world of music and the people who love it.

“Being an SLSO IN UNISON Scholar has not only helped me grow vocally, but this experience has also helped me grow professionally. The big reason why is because being a scholar gives me opportunities to perform. Performing helps a singer figure out who they want to be as an artist. Being able to perform with other In Unison Scholars was truly amazing and it also builds character. Being an IN UNISON Scholar has helped me to develop skills that will help as a young lady who is growing into an adult.”

Shelby Terrell is a Sophomore at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) who began playing the clarinet in 5th grade. Shelby played for St. Charles County Youth Orchestra (SCCYO) for 6 years while participating in the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Peer to Peer. She has had many opportunities to use her talents as she currently plays with the St. Charles Community College Orchestra and in the SIUE concert band.

She is currently a CODES SCHOLAR (Community Oriented Digital Engagement Scholar) at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville and a member of the collegiate chapter National Society of Black Engineers as Shelby is a computer science major. She also recently played with the Meridian Clarinet Quartet as a member of their clarinet choir for a community concert alongside her SLSO coach Tzuying Huang.

Shelby plans to continue to play her clarinet during college due to the profound impact it has had on her life and has chosen music as her minor to continue exploring her joy of music.

 “Becoming an SLSO IN UNISON Scholar will fortify my musical foundation. Peer to Peer has sculpted me into the clarinetist I am today, thanks to exceptional mentors who guided every step. Grateful for these transformative experiences, I aim to inspire and encourage others as a mentor within the SLSO IN UNISON Scholar program. This opportunity will deepen my musical expertise and leadership skills, empowering me to contribute meaningfully to the community and nurture future generations of musicians.”