Peer Interviews: Heidi Murillo and Samuella Booker-Alley

This month CMPI is including the first of several peer-to-peer interviews between fellows. Enjoy this pair of interviews between clarinet fellow Samuella Booker-Alley and violin fellow Heidi Murillo.

When did you start playing?

When I was 9.

How did you choose your instrument? What inspired you?

I started in a program in the town I live in now and my teacher connected me to the orchestra at the middle school. The middle school orchestra had connections to my elementary school so I was able to take lessons and group classes with her.

What school do you go to?

West Chicago High School

What neighborhood or town do you live in?

West Chicago

What ensembles do you play in?

I used to play in the Naperville Youth Symphony Orchestra because of my middle school private lesson teacher. That’s when I started picking up more orchestral music and being able to read notes, because before when I first started violin, I didn’t know how to read notes. I learned to play by using colors to represent the strings and the notes. I also used numbers and letters instead of actual music notes. Now I play in Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO).

If you could play a second instrument, what would it be?

I would like to play the trumpet. I find it very versatile because you can play romantic music or jazz music. There are pieces called boleros, which are Spanish music, that I love to hear. They have these awesome trumpet parts and if I played trumpet I would love to play my favorite boleros.

What do you want to do professionally with your music?

Go into the music business.

What pieces are you working on now?

Bruch Violin Concerto and Bach Sonata No. 3, Gigue.

Do you have a dream of going to a certain college or conservatory?

Northwestern, I feel like it’s a really beautiful campus. I passed by there before with my parents just to see it and I found it really nice and I think the music is really beautiful. I also think that since it’s one of the best schools it’ll be super nice to have that experience of going to one of the top schools.

What hobbies do you have? What do you like doing besides music?

I like going for walks and doing makeup and hair.

Favorite movies?

Sandlot and The Little Mermaid

Do you have a favorite soundtrack to a movie?

Luca and Schindler’s List

What advice would you have for younger students who love music?

Put all your work into it and don’t follow the people around you because they might not have the same experiences as you. Don’t give up on music because it can get you somewhere.

Do you have any favorite practice tips you’ve been using lately?

Add a piece that you like playing and play for like 15 minutes at the end to motivate you even more. If it’s fun playing it, it makes you feel good.

If you could play a different genre of music besides classical, what would it be?

I would play mariachi music. I used to play mariachi music in middle school and I thought it was really fun to meet professional mariachi players. It was really inspiring to hear how they play and their stories. I also think that mariachi music is really pretty and different from classical music but in a way still connects to it. Both use a lot of bow and vibrato.

Do you have a place that you dream about traveling to someday?

I would like to travel to Bali. I’ve seen pictures of the beaches and the sunset is really beautiful. I always love taking sunset pictures, so seeing one of the prettiest beaches in the world would be super nice.

Do you want to move out of state when you go to college or when you get a job someday?

I would like to go to college here in the city (Chicago). Maybe when I’m a bit older and decide to have a family I would move out of state, like California…even though it’s pretty expensive.

If you weren’t going to be a music major, what would you major in?

I would like to be a therapist or go into the medical field even though I wouldn’t be a doctor or nurse. I can’t stand blood or stuff like that. But maybe a pulmonologist would be interesting or I would become a dentist.

When did you start playing?

I started playing music in fourth grade. I played trumpet at first, but I didn’t like it, so then I switched to clarinet.

What inspired you to play this instrument?

To be honest, I wanted to play the flute at first, but I couldn’t play it. The band director at my school then gave me the clarinet and I was able to make a sound on it so I chose it.

What ensembles do you play in?

I auditioned for a Symphonic Band in 2020. I do plan to audition for the Merit Philharmonic and my private lesson teacher also wants me to audition for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.

If you could play a 2nd instrument, what would it be?

I would play the violin. To be honest, I have always admired string instruments. I did want to play the violin when I was 9, but they didn’t have any violins at my middle school. I didn’t take music seriously back then, so I didn’t actually touch the violin till I was 14 and I thought it was too late to start.

Do you have a dream of going to a certain college or conservatory?

I would choose Northwestern. I would choose it because it’s one of the top schools in the country and state. I really like the clarinet professors, and I feel like I could learn a lot from them.

What hobbies do you have?  What do you like doing besides music?

I just like to do my makeup and lashes. I like to do my own looks or something. I go on Tik Tok and watch makeup videos and try recreating them.

What advice would you have for younger students that love music?

I know it’s more diverse now, but I would say for minorities, don’t let what you see intimidate you and just be you and play. Always express yourself, but this can go for anyone.

Do you have any favorite practice tips you’ve been using lately?

I recommend doing your fundamentals as you warm up before you practice. I don’t recommend going straight into pieces, because you might not sound the best and it can mess you up.

If you could play a different genre of music besides classical, what would it be?

R&B music. I love hearing R&B singers and newer artists. I would like for my clarinet to sound like their voices.

Do you have a place that you dream about traveling to someday?

I want to travel to my parents’ home country in West Africa. They have always told me it’s a great place and has great food.

Do you want to move out of state when you go to college or when you get a job someday?

I want to stay in state for college, but would like to move out of state when I’m older to somewhere warm. But I really do like how the city is convenient for me since it’s just 10 minutes away.

If you weren’t going to be a music major, what would you major in?

Probably psychology. I like learning about the mind.