On Tuesday, the MIS/HPMS auditorium was abuzz with excitement.  World famous violinist, Shannon Lee, was about to perform for the Highland Park Middle School and High School orchestra students thanks to funding by HP Arts.  As he waited for the high school students to be seated, 7^th-grader, Ford McGovern said, “I think she will be inspiring.  I know this is a big deal.”  He was right.  This was such a big deal that the HPHS orchestra students were granted permission for the field trip, something Peggy Tucker, their director, pointed out was quite rare for high school groups unless they are the ones performing or competing.   She was particularly excited that two of her students, All-State Orchestra students Pete Walsh (HP ’12) and Elizabeth Keckeisen (HP  ’13), were going to have the chance to perform on stage with Ms. Lee.  “This is going to look amazing on their resumes.  Shannon Lee.  Wow!”

Lee made her professional debut with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in the summer of 2005 at the age of twelve where she displayed a talent which far exceeded her young age.  Since then, she has studied and performed throughout the US and abroad.  Currently a junior at Columbia University, Ms. Lee performed previously for HPMS students in 2006.

“What keeps bringing her back to HP?” you may ask.  A better question would be, “Who keeps bringing her back to HP?”  In a name – Rebecca Seiver, HPMS Orchestra aide who also appeared onstage with her former student for the HP performance. As a faculty member of the Institute for Strings, a chamber music workshop founded by Dallas Symphony associate concert master Jan Mark Sloman, Ms. Seiver coached a string quartet of which Shannon was a member and has continued to work with her every June at The Institute for Strings.

HP Arts is a non-profit corporation supporting HPISD arts programming. Established in 1987, the specific purpose of HP Arts is to enrich HPISD students' educational experience by encouraging their interest and participation in the arts.