Hannah Christensen is a Junior at American Preparatory Academy West Valley 2 Campus in West Valley City, Utah. She has been a member of Sistema Utah since its onset in October 2013. Coincidentally, that was also the same year that she began 4th grade at the American Preparatory Academy Draper 1 Campus.
Anyone who has seen Hannah play the violin can tell that she loves to play. If you were to ask her why she enjoys playing the violin she will tell you because it “makes her soul happy.” She has experienced group instrument lessons, orchestra, homework help, singing, general music and has been a member of both of Sistema Utah’s advanced performing groups “Sistema Strings” and “Secondary Sistema Strings.”
Not only is Hannah an outstanding student and student leader, she loves to mentor others, build them up with kindness and help them to succeed whether it be in school or afterschool with music in the Sistema Utah program. In 2019 she wanted to reach out to the global music community and was selected as a World Ensemble Ambassador. This group is a select group of students from around the world who are in El Sistema inspired programs that collaborate with each other, sharing information about where they are from, their programs and meet bi-monthly to continue their collaboration not only between the ambassadors, but to brainstorm ways to have collaborations between their programs. They didn’t allow the COVID-19 pandemic to slow them down, but rather, they are more determined to brighten the lives of all children around the world through music.
Hannah was also chosen as a Mundi Project Ambassador where she reaches out to the community to perform for those that could use some cheer and help with miscellaneous projects that may arise.
As a World Ensemble Ambassador, Hannah was selected to serve on a panel speaking at the El Sistema USA National Symposium on “The Magic of Music Mentoring Around the World” in February 2021 to over 500 teachers from around the world. In conjunction with the symposium, Hannah served as a youth leader for the El Sistema USA National Symposium where she coached breakout sessions for over 100 students around the Nation. She was also part of a virtual orchestra and choir performing “What We Will Be” by Danielle Williams.
Hannah is working as a Sistema Student Instructor this year to continue to mentor violin students afterschool. She loves working with the younger generation to inspire them to achieve their dreams and to help ignite their passion for music.
As part of the Sistema Utah performing groups, Hannah has been able to finetune her musicianship and continue to develop a deeper passion for the violin. She has participated in the following “Sistema Strings” and “Secondary Sistema Strings” performances:
- University of Utah ball games
- Women’s Softball - May 2, 2017
- Women’s Volleyball - September 8, 2017, September 14, 2018, November 22, 2019
- Men’s Volleyball - September 29, 2017
- Men’s Baseball - March 30, 2018
- Women’s Basketball - January 4, 2019, January 10, 2020
- Men’s Basketball - November 8, 2019
- Utah State University Symphony Orchestra has featured youth performers annually since 2015.
- Our secondary students mentored the Young Musicians of St. Thomas Aquinas in Logan October 2019.
- Utah Afterschool Network (After-School Leadership Summit 2017 and After-school Day on the Hill 2018)
- Utah Philharmonic Orchestra
- April 22, 2017 - Four Strings Festival with the Fry Street Quartet
- March 16, 2018 - Sistema Strings played side-by-side with the orchestra for three songs
- September 7, 2018 - Concert where Sistema Strings played side-by-side with orchestra
- September 8, 2018 - Utah Live Workshop and side-by-side concert
- March 2, 2019 - “Set Sail” concert where our Secondary Sistema Strings students played the entire concert side-by-side with the orchestra
- February 22, 2020 - “Strings and Spurs” concert where our Secondary Sistema Strings students played the entire concert side-by-side with the orchestra and guest artist “Molly in the Mineshaft.”
- Utah Grizzlies games (Guns ‘n Hoses August 2017 and Star Wars Night December 2018)
- West Valley City Council Meetings - We have been invited to play the National Anthem annually for them on the same day that our Lights On for After-school proclamation was read at their meetings.
- August 22, 2017
- August 21, 2018
- August 12, 2019
- Salt Lake County Library Kids’ Fiesta incorporating Latin, Scandinavian and fiddling styles - April 28, 2018
- Draper Philharmonic and Chorus “Star Spangled” concert July 30, 2018
- American Preparatory Academy ball games
- Local Leaders Luncheon April 21, 2017
- Charter School Festival March 2, 2018
- American Preparatory Academy Lights On and Lights Off Events
- September 6, 2014
- August 29, 2015
- May 21, 2016
- August 27, 2016
- June 7, 2017
- August 25, 2017
- August 26, 2017
- May 14, 2018
- August 24, 2018
- May 20, 2019
- August 23, 2019
- May 14, 2020
- Discover Children’s Gateway Cultural Festival - June 10, 2017
- Workshop with Carey Beth Hockett - September 7, 2017
- Sistema Utah Gala - June 1, 2018
- West Valley City Parks and Recreation Freedom Award - September 17, 2019
- Released videos with Secondary Sistema Strings September 2020, December 2020, February 2021 and March 2021.
As part of the Sistema Utah program, we aim to help students to refine their character to be the best leader they can be. Hannah is an exemplary leader and has had much experience in student government at American Preparatory Academy.
- 3/16 - Member of the Jr. HOPE Squad
- 8/16-1/17- 7th Grade Ambassador General
- 8/18-1/19 - 9th Grade Spirit Officer
- 8/19-5/20 - 10th Grade Class Chair (President)
In addition to her academic studies, student government work and music classes, Hannah loves to do community service. Dr. Shinichi Suzuki said, “Beautiful tone, beautiful heart.” Hannah embodies this every day. She not only wants to give the gift of music to others, she also wants to give back to her community and help how she can. She has contributed the following:
- 9/09-5/14 - Girl Scouts of Utah Daisy, Brownie and Junior - participated in numerous service projects during these years.
- 8/14-5/15 - Sistema Utah Student Mentor - Hannah helped three groups of violin and viola students to learn how to play and she assisted the teacher.
- 5/17, 5/18, 5/19 - Memorial Day soloist for Japanese American Credit League Memorial where all Japanese-American servicemen are recognized.
- 8/16-5/20 - Sistema Utah Front Desk Volunteer - Hannah has greeted students and families, helped with basic first aid, mentoring students.
- 1/19 and 1/20 - Secondary Sistema Strings students volunteered to make and assemble 120-150 name badges for the El Sistema USA National Symposium.
- 2/19-5/20 - Member and Volunteer for the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra.
- 6/19 - Volunteered 11 hours to make 1000 name badges for the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute.
- 9/18-12/19 - Volunteer usher for the Draper Philharmonic Orchestra
Hannah attributes much of her success to the Sistema Utah program. In a letter of appreciation she wrote: “Sistema over these past few years has helped me become a better person and musician. Sistema has taught me how to play loud with emotion and how to read music. Another lesson I have learned is to find what you love and want to do because when you find something you really enjoy you are willing to put forth the effort.” Hannah is hoping to go to Vanderbilt University to study Violin Performance. She is a beacon of light who will go far and continue to give the gift of music. She will change the world through music one person at a time.
