Whiz Kid: Abby Carstensen

School/Grade: Melinda Heights, 5th grade

City of Residence: Rancho Santa Margarita

Whiz Kid Achievement: Abby is an avid violin player who shares her enthusiasm for music by helping others.

Key to Awesomeness: Abby began learning the violin at the beginning of the school year as a 5th grader at Melinda Heights School. She soon realized that she wanted to learn more and began taking private lessons. Through her private lessons, Abby performed in solo concerts and in a student chamber orchestra. Abby also composed her own piece, “The BFFs”, using polyphony, studied music history and learned world music. Abby has begun learning Indonesian flutes and anklung.

Abby loves music and shares her passion with others. She regularly tutors violin students in her orchestra class at school and assists at her chamber orchestra classes. Most recently, Abby led the tuning and warmup at the Spring Music History Concert sponsored by her violin teacher. Abby noticed that a younger student needed help while her teacher was setting up the AV equipment so she jumped right in to assist her peer. Then she tuned the others and helped them warm up as well. Last December, Abby performed Christmas carols at a retirement home in Irvine.

In addition to music, Abby has been involved in a bowling league for three years; her team won two first place trophies. Abby loves nature and animals and would like to become a veterinarian someday and move to Australia to work with wildlife. She recently received the Medal of Integrity at her school.

Abby’s leadership, musicianship and passion are evident in all she does. Her dedication and spirit of volunteerism make a difference in others’ lives and make her a perfect candidate for this week’s Whiz Kid.