meet alexandra
Part of CSMA from Preschool Through Adulthood
Alexandra G. grew up with CSMA, starting in preschool with a summer art class. Looking back, she says, “I was really young but I remember sitting in a circle at the end of class and sharing whatever we made that day. I just loved doing art projects and learning new things!” That class was the first of many more CSMA activities that Alexandra would enjoy in years to come.
In grade school, Alexandra began piano lessons at CSMA with a private instructor. “Both my mother and my older sister were taking lessons and it looked like fun,” she explains. “My teacher not only taught me about music but inspired me to keep challengng myself to do better. It was always a special day when I finished one piece of music and could move on to the next. I felt like I had really
accomplished something!”
Alexandra again returned to CSMA as a high school student, this time as a summer volunteer. “I was looking at my options for the summer. In addition to working at a research lab at Stanford University, I thought it would be fun to help out at the arts camps.” As a camp aide, she notes, Alexandra hoped to help inspire other young people to share the same love of art and creativity that she gained at art camp.
Reflecting back, Alexandra has found additional reasons to appreciate her art and music lessons. “I learned so many things: creativity, communication skills, new ways to express myself. It’s more than just art and music lessons.” She began playing the trumpet in elementary school, but to this day will occasionally sit down at the piano and play for her own enjoyment. “It’s nice to be able just to play for fun. Music is something that sticks with you.”
Recently, as a young adult and communications studies major at University of California, Los Angeles, Alexandra spent a summer with CSMA as a marketing intern. “It’s a great place to be!” she says with a smile. “It’s been so much fun growing up with CSMA, and I have gained so much.”
“CSMA is definitely a place for anyone to come to learn and have a great time!”