Standing under the lights, violin to his neck, senior Henry Auxenfans stares at the conductor, waiting for his cue. He gazes down at the audience, hundreds of people looking at him.

Then it starts. The conductor drops his hand, and Henry begins to play, the audience falling completely silent, mesmerized.

At just 5 years old, Henry began taking violin lessons at the former Sherwood Conservatory of Music. Captivated by the violin, he dedicated the next 13 years of his life to it.

“I think what really drew me in was how lyrical the instrument was,” Henry said.

Today, with years of violin experience, Henry has transformed from just a beginner trying the violin to a celebrated, experienced musician. But he would be the first to say the journey hasn’t been easy.

Through his years of violin, Henry has adapted techniques to keep himself centered and focused on the many new pieces and performances he tackles. One of these techniques is his journal, which he uses to center his playing and create tasks and goals that need to be accomplished every practice.

“In order to stay on top of that stuff, I like to keep a journal, either online or physical, to map out my schedule for the day,” Henry said.

Techniques such as this have boosted Henry’s playing to an elite level. As a ninth grader, his talent was shown during the United States Marine Band Concerto, where he won first place. Moments such as these affirmed to Henry that his dedication toward the violin was paying off.

“I was very honored to have won the first prize,” Henry said, “and so that really made me want to keep going and continue pursuing music at a high level.”

The violin has not only influenced Henry’s musical talent but has also helped him reshape his outlook on everyday things. It has helped him stay disciplined at school and organized when it comes to academic activities.

“Because I feel like with my practice, it’s helped to boost my discipline, my sense of discipline and myself, my sense of accountability, hold myself accountable, and I think that translates to academics, you know, really still trying to stay organized,” Henry said.

Through the violin, Henry has also met people that he has gotten to work with and get to know. He feels that his work with these people has elevated his skills and helped him refine his work to a final product that he is proud and passionate about.

“I’ve met a lot of great people through both playing in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra as the concertmaster of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra,” Henry said. “I’ve met a lot of great people, and it’s fun to be able to work with others, you know, create a final product to present to the audience.”

Tinson Xu, a U-High sophomore and Chicago Youth Symphony orchestra member, looks up to Henry as they both play in the same section. He sees how Henry interacts with the music differently and deeply understands what he is playing.

“I’d say he’s really musical during concerts, and I’ve also seen him play solo before. He really gets into the music and really enjoys playing it,” Tinson said.

When looking back at his start to the violin, Henry has advice for anyone who wants to learn or is learning the violin.

Henry said, “Be consistent in your practice, always try to stay disciplined, and always seek to learn new repertoire and meet new people.”

This story was originally published on U-High Midway on May 7, 2025.