by Michelle Hoffman
After 15 years of continuous MYSO participation, the youngest of six musicians in the Brusubardis family has graduated this spring. The siblings make up the fourth generation of musicians in this family.
All six:
- were leaders in their respective MYSO sections;
- were awarded the prestigious Dean Potokar Award which recognizes leadership, character, and service in graduating seniors in our most advanced ensembles;
- won the coveted UW-Madison Summer Music Clinic 4-year tuition scholarship;
- excelled in regional competitions including:
- Madison Symphony Bolz Young Artist Competition
- Concord Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition
- UW-Milwaukee’s Concerto Competition
- Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Audrey G. Baird Stars of Tomorrow competition, which produced two Brusubardis honorable mentions, three finalists, and one winner.
Each has chosen to go forward in music:
- Ernest IV (2009), who holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees in music from UW-Milwaukee, and Kristian (2011), a graduate of Indiana University, are professional musicians;
- Viktor (2014), the only cellist of the siblings, receives his Bachelor of Music Degree from UW-Milwaukee this spring;
- Sonora (2016) and Daniella (2017) are both working toward music degrees at UW-Milwaukee; and
- Arianna (2018) will head off to The Juilliard School this fall, following a summer touring Asia as a member of the elite National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America.
We sat down with their mother, Indra, to talk about her family’s experience in music and MYSO.
To what does she attribute her family’s musical success?
“We’ve been so fortunate to have connected with high quality and inspirational teachers since my kids became involved in music, and that has been the key.”
“We have also been blessed with wonderful instruction at MYSO. We have been given these incredible experiences and opportunities. I think of all the different kinds of literature my kids have performed, and it’s amazing.”
“One thing that is so great about MYSO (and it isn’t even musical) is the freedom my kids have had. In this day and age when so many kids are micromanaged, it all just works. They are trusted to behave properly at MYAC and respect the space, and they do. They’re expected to be where they’re supposed to be at the right time, and they are. It has fostered independence in my kids.”
Of course, they’ve formed relationships with many young musicians and their families. “The MYSO community has an atmosphere in which people help each other out. It’s a family, one we’ll miss.”
