At the age of fourteen, Jennifer Cha is one of the top finalists in the “YouTube Top’s Big Break” contest. ‘Phenomenal violist’ is a common descriptor for Cha, given that she has been playing the violin since the mere age of four.
She entered this contest and has been chosen as one of the top fifteen finalists out of over 400 applicants from across the United States. Winning this competition would let her perform at Carnegie Hall in New York and have an appearance on From the Top radio broadcast. She has performed at many venues across the United States and has performed in Germany and Italy; where she performed with Bethany Haag’s Magical Strings of Youth for the Pope.
Cha has also had master classes with world renowned violinist including Ilya Kaler and Ida Kavafian. She is currently 
studying with Desiree Ruhstrat at the Music Institute of Chicago. This Neuqua student has high hopes for this competition and encouraged students to vote for her from December 1st- December 14th. The winner of this competition is chosen by public voting over YouTube.
Although the results of this competition are huge, Jennifer Cha has already established her career as a violist. She has won numerous awards in competitions such as DePaul Concerto Festival, Music Festival in Honor of Confucius, Sejong Music Competition, and Walgreen’s National Concerto Competition.
Cha is also a merit scholar recipient at the Music Institute of Chicago. She is quite an accomplished individual, especially considering she is only a freshman.
The future for Jennifer Cha seems very bright, and filled with further accomplishments. “I consider violin to be a very serious hobby as of right now, but I’m not sure if I will pursue it as a career,” Cha stated.
“Although I am positive that playing the violin and music will always be a passion of mine”.
Colleen Sovik, Staffwriter
