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I have grown up my entire life in sunny Carlsbad, California. I attended Magnolia Elementary School, Valley Junior High School, and graduated 12th in my class from Carlsbad High School, where I was consistently active in school music programs. I began playing violin in the second grade in the "Carlsbad Strings" program and also joined Civic Youth Orchestra a year later. With the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, I toured cities in England, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, and Monaco for numerous concerts. Private teachers Bridget Dolkas and Hernan Constantino helped to turn me into a solo violinist. Conductors Vi Panman, Gunnar Biggs, and Robert Gilson introduced me to challenging symphonic and orchestral music. Their influences encouraged me to enter numerous competitions and performances that have helped me to develop into the player I am today.

Scholarships and money earned from these performances have helped my family afford USC's Thornton School of Music. I am currently (as of Spring 2007), a Senior Music Education Major maintaining a 3.92 avg. GPA. As a Music Education major, I have participated in USC's Symphony and Chamber Orchestra and have also played for various events for other USC students. I have taken a special interest in recording for USC composition majors and USC student films. I had the honor of playing in USC Film School's 75th Anniversary Diamond Gala, where Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Clint Eastwood, George Lucas, Steven Spielburg, Robert Zemeckis, and other top individuals in the entertainment industry with ties to USC were in attendance. For Thornton's "Dickens Dinners," I have had the honor of playing with special honorees Randy Neuman, Bobby Mcferrin, Robert Mann, and Burt Bacharach. I have also had the incredible honor of playing with soloists Yo Yo Ma twice and Itzak Perlman with the USC Symphony. As for academic affairs, I was secretary for Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society 2004-05, an active MENC member (3 yrs.), am a Member of Golden Key Honor Society, a member of Pi Kappa Lambda (National Music Honor Society), received a scholarship from the Trojan League of San Diego, and have consistently been named on the Thornton Dean's List (3.5 years).

I have also dedicated a large amount of my time to the Thornton Outreach Program, under Director Susan Helfter. Beginning as a violin teacher in Fall 2005, I have since participated in the Sectionals & Meet the Instruments program as well as been an Intern for Summer 2006 where I worked with the Midori Center for Community Engagement and House of Blues Guitar Masters program. This past year I have gained even more involvement as Program Coordinator. I love this program and enjoy learning the administrative processes behind music education.

Currently, I am completing my student teaching in Temple City at Oak Avenue Intermediate School and Temple City High School. I could not ask for a better place to apply the knowledge USC has provided me. I am learning so much and can't thank my master teachers enough for their support and guidance!

Amidst my busy academic schedule and exciting performing events, I still find time to enjoy my hobbies. Surfing, horseback riding, and Polynesian dancing fill in the cracks of my days to keep me happy and peaceful; I have participated in USC's Surf Club, USC's Equestrian Club, and danced for USC Hawaii Club's 2005 & 2007 Spring Luau. My very supportive family and friends mean the world to me. My mother has given me so much support and insight to the teaching profession as a drama teacher and has also introduced me to a love for musicals. My Dad has shown me a love for the ocean, which I don't think I could ever live without, and has shown me the things that truly matter. My brother has shown me support through everything and has really helped me to understand what not to do. My friends are so original and creative; they have let me open up and face things I might not otherwise have enjoyed. To everyone who has helped me, thank you for making me who I am today because I am purely and sincerely happy with who I have become.

If you feel like contacting me please e-mail me at marinaha@usc.edu. I'm more than happy to answer your questions. But please be courteous. No junk mail please!

Here are some pictures to help you get to know me! Be sure to scroll to the right for more...