Third Street Music School Settlement

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

USA | Monday, August 9, 2010 | 5 photos

This photo-set is a brief portrayal of the Third Street Music School Settlement on the Lower East Side of NYC. Third Street is a place that is near and dear to my heart. I have been a piano student there since I was five, commuting from Queens to Manhattan every Saturday to receive instruction from my teacher and mentor, Marcia Lewis. This photo-set takes place in the summer time, in the Piano Ensemble Camp, where I taught as a piano coach and took pictures when I was off-duty. I love teaching at Third Street. These kids are the most talented, driven, and unique individuals you will find in NYC. I learned a lot from them, and they were so much fun to photograph.

My name is Victoria and I will be a senior economics student at Clark U in Fall 2010. My passion for photography took root in high school. Back then I did what I could with my family's SONY point & shoot digital camera. In the summer after my first year of college, I saved up enough to afford a used Canon Rebel XT, which is the camera I use today. From there, I've experimented with different lenses. I have a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II and a Canon EF-S 10-22mm. People are my favorite subject to shoot. I love meeting and interacting with people, and capturing candid emotion with my camera. I also love nature, architecture, and history.

As an amateur, I have a lot to learn. However, I think I've come a long way for someone who has had to learn the ropes on my own with no formal training. This exemplifies my true passion and drive for photography. I traveled to W. Europe for the first time last summer and as expected, it was amazing. However, I long for adventure outside of the norm. Bhutan is an incredible place to explore. I enjoy immersing myself in other cultures and learning from native philosophies.

Thank you.