Though seniors often relax during their final year, students like Hayley Volpa-Olsen has remained involved in her favorite activities, such as campus band and playing in a bell choir. As an eight-year member of the concert band, she believes she has built lasting friendships, as well as fostering her musical talent.

Band director Jimmy Loomis appreciates the hard work Volpa-Olsen displays in class.

“She works and practices hard,” Loomis said. “She is very dedicated and it has been a joy to have her in class these past two years. I will miss her when she is gone ? She acts as a leader for the other students. A lot of the girls in band look up to her and Chelsea Joy [’09], the other senior clarinet.”

Aside from working on her band music, Volpa-Olsen also tutors Chloe Duerr, ’14, in after-school clarinet lessons.

“I teach elementary students,” Volpa-Olsen said. “I am helping [Chloe] with her clarinet skills and with motivating her to practice. I help her with not only reading music, but with her technique. I want to get more students, too.”

Volpa-Olsen’s years of experience in band help her encourage Duerr, passing on her knowledge.

“Hayley is a lifesaver,” Duerr said. “Since she has started teaching me, I have learned more about the clarinet than I could have ever known if I tried to teach myself.”

Volpa-Olsen first joined band in the fifth grade and has been involved with both marching and concert band every year since. While she enjoys the learning process and dedication that comes along with playing an instrument, there are several other reasons that Volpa-Olsen has stayed involved.

“One of my favorite band memories was my first spring band trip,” Volpa-Olsen said. “I was so happy when I found out that we were going on a trip without our parents tagging along. I felt like such a grown-up; it was a lot of fun.”

Outside of the school music program, Volpa-Olsen also plays bells at Peoples’ Church and dances in Cotillian at the California Arts Academy.

“In Cotillion, we learned a lot of dances, such as salsa, fox trot, and the east coast swing,” Volpa-Olsen. “It is taught by Miss Merrill, she also teaches etiquette classes that I helped out in sometimes.”

Though Volpa-Olsen was involved in many activities in the past few years, as her senior year comes to a close, she hopes to relax like many of her peers before heading to Fresno Pacific University.

“I really wanted to slow it down,” Volpa-Olsen said. “This year, I quit Cotillion [a monthly dance and etiquette event]. I still play tennis, but I have enjoyed not being quite so busy. I love my relaxation time. I can now go home and rest half the time. I do not have to go to dance at seven at night anymore. I can just hang out ? I love it.”

For information on other band members, visit the March 2 article Percussion ambitions drive sophomore.