Music is a common part of everyday life. Music can be used to express emotions, to fight loneliness, and to help people relate to one another. And while most people enjoy listening to music, not many get the chance to actually produce it at a high level. However senior Charlie Lin is one of the people with the skill to do so.

“Music is a passion and it will probably stay as such,” Lin said. “I love the sound [of the violin]. Molding simple notes into a pure and artistic sound is an irresistible feeling.”

Lin plays the violin and is a part of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, also known as GDYO. Many musicians audition and compete in order to earn a spot in this orchestra, but not all of them make it in. Even if one does make it in, it requires a lot of dedication to maintain a good spot, or “chair” in GDYO.

“My private lesson teacher really pushes us,” Lin said. “We’re expected to practice a lot, and that influences my GDYO chair.”

Lin also placed first in the GDYO Concerto Competition, which is a contest of musicians performed in front of a desk of two judges. After the 100 competitors perform, the judges decide on a winner, who then gets to perform at the Meyerson Symphony Center with the GDYO.

“Placing first on the Concerto Competition was like a reward for all my hard work,” Lin said. “It’s a great feeling for your hard work to pay off.”

There is a reason as to why Lin is so successful in this field. Not only does he put in a lot of effort and time into this form of art, but he has also been playing for a long time.

“I first started playing the violin when I was about six years old, so I’ve been playing for quite a while, more than ten years for sure,” Lin said. “As for why I chose violin out of all the instruments I could have chosen, my parents made me. Now that I reflect on it, I’m glad they did.”

“We support Charlie’s music a lot,” dad Frank Lin said. “It’s something that he loves to do and is talented in, so we want to support him in whatever way we can, whether it’s through paying for his violin lessons or just moral support.”

Many people have praised Lin’s abilities, including the school’s orchestra director.

“What I like best about Charlie’s playing style is his ease of playing. He makes it look like it’s the easiest thing he’s ever done,” orchestra director Julie Blackstock said. “He just continues to get better.”

Lin also takes ISM, a program where students can use the time in school to pursue individual interests.

“Music has always been something that I’m interested in,” Lin said. “I really appreciate finally being able to have the opportunity to see where it can lead me and to see what I can do with it instead of just tossing it aside.”

Although he is well versed in the violin, his musical taste differs from what most people would expect.

“I actually never plan to listen to classical music unless I’m trying to learn from another performer,” Lin said. “Instead, I like listening to electronic music as its contrasting styles and sounds are really enjoyable.”