University of Southern Mississippi School of Music student violinist Andrea Gonzalez, a native of Paraguay, has been accepted to play in the World Orchestra of Jeunesses Musicales in Spain May 19-June 8. She was one of six chosen out of a pool of 25 international student violinists.

Her participation in the World Orchestra will give her two years of summer activity in Spain and two European performance tours following each summer, with all expenses paid. 

The 2009 session will feature a double program, including symphony music by Shostakovich and a contemporary opera production of Polunec’s Les Mamelles de Tiresias, with soloist Maria Bayo.

Gonzalez will also tour with the orchestra in December 2009 and January 2010 with conductors Philippe Herrewewghe and Josep Vicent.

“I will meet a lot of important people that I will be playing with, which makes this experience very exciting,” Gonzalez said. “I also expect to get better at what I do, because I know that an opportunity like this is a once in a lifetime thing.”

The violinist came to Southern Miss in 2008 and studies with Dr. Stephen Redfield.  She also plays in the university’s Symphony Orchestra. Redfield said her upcoming experience cannot be overstated in its importance to her chosen career.

“Through her participation, Andrea will be exposed to and collaborate with the most talented young players in the world,” Redfield said. “Not only will she share her talent and her dedication to music with this extended group, but her experience will enrich the entire Southern Miss community--particularly the School of Music, the orchestra and the violin studio--upon her return.”

For Gonzalez, performing in Europe in famous concert halls with a renowned orchestra makes her “incredibly happy.”

The Southern Miss musician began her violin studies at the National Conservatory of Music at age 7. By age 10, she was playing in the Symphony Orchestra Infantinl Iberoameriacana in Panama.

She also recently received an award in the Young Artist Competition, sponsored by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, performing Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola.

For more information, visit the School of Music Web site at www.usm.edu/music or contact Angela Kilcrease at 601.266.4988.

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.