The New York Discovery Week trip was definitely a trip of a lifetime. My group and I went to various shows and colleges, and learned a lot about the music and non-music scene in the Big Apple. We experienced a myriad of music watching, listening and more, including Anoushka Shankar and The New York Phil, and Aida at The Met. While getting to watch shows and concerts were an integral and impactful part of this trip, the most valuable parts of my DW experience this year were getting the opportunity to have Q&A questions with those active in the New York City music scene, and bonding with all of the SFS musicians and non-musicians who came on this trip with me. Listening to how even world-renown musicians practice five hours a day showed me what passion really looks like, and motivated me to continue to push forward both as a musician and as an individual. Although my trip had some mishaps with our airline and flights (thanks, China Eastern), and we were stuck in China for a whole day and night, I can say on behalf of my whole DW group that we got to know each other a lot through this experience.

~ Anna Nahm