News Detail
Iris Lu ’25 Mentors Young Violinists, Performs for EU Delegation in Kenya
Iris Lu ’25 started playing the violin at 6 years old but admits she didn’t fall in love with the instrument until she was introduced to the right instructors. Her passion for performing and teaching violin has since brought her to other continents.
Iris recently traveled to Kenya to teach violin to grammar school students through a partnership with the Kenya Conservatoire of Music.
She launched her own music education organization, iCrescendo, which offers an interactive, online music curriculum that aims to inspire budding musicians’ growth and development. Iris and fellow performing violinists are recording video lessons that students watch via iPads. To accompany these virtual lessons, Iris independently published “Magical Melodies: A Young Beginner’s Guide to Learning Violin,” an instructional workbook for the Kenya Conservatoire of Music and other partner organizations.
After arriving in Nairobi, Iris joined Veronica Pintilie, assistant to the European Union Ambassador to Kenya, on a visit to St. Clement Primary School where she performed and instructed students on violin technique. She connected with first graders Grace, Gift and Melodious; third graders Eves and Angel; and fourth grader Irene -- these six will be the inaugural cohort of the iCrescendo Prodigies Program based on their musical abilities.
“Most of the children I interacted with are living day-to-day, but their communities have ingrained in them a sense of optimism and appreciation for what they have,” Iris said. “It was the most direct demonstration of ‘the glass being half full’ I had ever seen, and it taught me to appreciate what I have.”
Before leaving Kenya, Iris taught the six iCrescendo prodigies a few lessons with her violin. She will continue to mentor them through video conferencing with support from the Kenya Conservatoire of Music.
“They were very eager to learn, they were focused, and they understood everything very quickly,” she said.
During her visit to St. Clement, Iris visited a classroom for girls. When asked by their teacher what they wanted to be when they grew up, students said they dreamed of becoming musicians, singers, doctors and lawyers. Their ambitions left a lasting mark on Iris.
“If those children are able to play the violin, even if they don't want to become musicians in the future, it opens many more pathways to them. Even if one student has more opportunities because of this program, then all of it was worth it,” Iris said.
Iris’ ongoing mentorship of fellow young musicians demonstrates leadership, one of the 5 Global Education Pillars within the Global Education programming at Sage Hill. It also highlights the School’s passion for intercultural exchange commonly seen during Spring at Sage. Last year, Sage Hill adopted the Global Pillars of Education that include Civic Engagement, Equity & Justice, Innovation, Leadership, and Sustainability. By imbedding these pillars into its global programming, the school aims to prepare students for an ever-changing, globalized world.
“Iris had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Nairobi, Kenya, where she formed meaningful connections with individuals who shared her profound passion for music,” said Sara Graham, Assistant Director for Global Education & Inclusion at the Hamoui Family Sage Center for Innovative Curriculum. “This perfectly exemplifies the purpose of our Leadership Global Pillar, which creates opportunities for Sage Hill students to learn how to lead and become inspired to create a better world. The relationships she established with the Kenyan students left a lasting impression on her, one that will undoubtedly bring a wealth of knowledge back to campus. Her experience in Kenya is an example of the transformative power of travel that highlights the life-changing impact it can have on our students.”
Through her role as concertmaster for the Irvine Classical Players, Iris was invited to perform at the Delegation Headquarters of the European Union in Nairobi. She played alongside Katrin Hagemann, deputy head of the EU delegation to Kenya, and a Kenyan string orchestra.
“The European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, came out to watch us and ask about iCrescendo. The performance was very successful, and it was a pleasure to be immersed in local cultures,” Iris said.
Iris credits Dr. Georgette Popa, founder and music director of the Irvine Classical Players, for helping discover and refine her expressive violin technique since she was in sixth grade. She’s also been instructed more recently by world-renowned soloist Bruce Dukov, who served as concertmaster of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra from 1991 to 2008.
Dr. Brent Dodson, director of the Sage Hill Instrumental Music Program, lauded Iris for demonstrating leadership among her classmates and fellow orchestra members.
“Iris is a fabulous violinist and musician. She has made a significant impact on the String Orchestra over the last two years, and she has been one of the leaders of the ensemble this past year. I’m happy that she has chosen to take her talents and abilities and share them with others,” Dodson said.
In June, Iris practiced up to four hours a day ahead of performing “Meditation from Thais” as a soloist and guest of the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival at the world-famous Musikverein concert hall in Vienna, Austria.
Regardless of where she ends up pursuing higher education, Iris said she’s committed to seeing through the iCrescendo Prodigies Program.
“I’ve got huge hopes for iCrescendo and our six prodigies in the future. I'm going to watch them grow up to be whoever they can,” Iris said.
In June, Iris practiced up to four hours a day ahead of performing “Meditation from Thais” as a soloist and guest of the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival at the world-famous Musikverein concert hall in Vienna, Austria.
Regardless of where she ends up pursuing higher education, Iris said she’s committed to seeing through the iCrescendo Prodigies Program.
“I’ve got huge hopes for iCrescendo and our six prodigies in the future. I'm going to watch them grow up to be whoever they can,” Iris said.
Sage Hill School
Sage Hill School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other School administered programs.