Essence Williams

Essence Williams is looking forward to her fourth season with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2025-26! An enthusiastic violinist since the age of twelve, Essence has dedicated herself to sharing the joy of music both on stage and in her community. Williams is currently a rising Senior at Saint Louis University (SLU), where she is majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a music minor. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Spring 2026 as she works towards a career in Speech Language Pathology.  

Additionally, Essence has served as assistant concertmaster and concertmaster of the SLU Orchestra over the past two years. Outside of the SLSYO, Essence is heavily involved in music. She 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 beginning violin, Williams joined the Gateway Music Outreach (GMO) program under the direction of 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. Essence now serves as GMO’s head intern, teaching and mentoring music students of all ages. For the past seven 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 to continue mentoring for her fourth year as a YO counterpart in the Peer-to-Peer Program.  

Essence is incredibly grateful for all the opportunities that she has received. In her free time, Essence enjoys photography, crocheting, reading, playing with her dog Rocky, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Essence would like to thank her GMO and Peer to Peer family: James McKay, Jessica Gates-Little, Maureen Byrne, Joseph Hendricks and Malena Smith. She would also like to thank her teachers and mentors: Adrian Walker, John McGrosso, Patrick Jackson, Andrew Pulliam, James Nacy and Joo Kim. In addition, Essence would like to thank SLSYO alumni: Allie Peng, Becky Lang, and Ellie Yang. Lastly, Essence would like to thank her family, especially her mom for always being her number one fan!