Anna Bross

Came to NIU to play under the Avalon Quartet

When I was three years old, I saw someone playing the viola, and I told my mom I wanted one. I’ve been playing ever since, and I can’t even remember a time when I didn’t have music in my life. There’s always something to learn, always a new way to interpret a piece you love.

I looked at a lot of schools before I came to NIU. I grew up in the DeKalb area and my mom works here, so I was definitely looking for something different. I wanted to find a place where I could really be challenged. I wanted to be able to play with musicians who weren’t just teachers, but also performers.

I wanted to find a place to be challenged. And then I found out about the Avalon Quartet.

They are the reason I’m here.

I couldn’t believe NIU had a group like this, and that students like me get to work one-on-one with world-renowned musicians. It’s an honor, a challenge, and a thrill to learn from them. And the fact that I ended up liking NIU so much and making so many good friends here is just icing on the cake.