Senior Maximilian Rahardjo started playing the viola in sixth grade and was recently offered $20,000 from Ithaca College and their school of arts. He originally wanted to be apart of a guitar class but since it was not offered, he decided to play the viola as the next best thing for him. He finds music to offer people new methods of conveying emotions that words do not properly express. "I feel that the mellow tone of the viola creates one of the more beautiful, rich expressive sounds," Rahardjo said. Rahardjo accidentally found his passion with orchestra and since then has joined numerous programs outside of school including summer camps and private clinics. These programs helped him practice and improve to be one of the most recognized in his orchestra class. Rahardjo has received awards within his program, including being recognized as a viola section leader at both of the concerts that were held this year. As well as being placed first and the viola section principal in districts the past two years. Every year Rahardjo participates in the annual all-district 10 orchestra events. The orchestra students in the district audition to be placed in a special ensemble that hold a performance every January. "I have always viewed this as a chance to assess my own skill level compared to the rest of the violists in the area, essentially broadening the scope of competition beyond Annandale," Rahardjo said. Rahardjo has also enjoyed performing at the district level because it has allowed him to play new types of pieces and meet new people from different schools that have similar passions. "I would say that the district orchestra is my favorite out-of-school activity," Rahardjo said. He will continue to practice and improve throughout college as a hobby and hopes that his passion will be able to earn him some money aside from his career.