COLUMBUS, Ohio — Centennial High School graduate Asa Simpson-Cole said when he learned violin in fifth grade everything changed.
Simpson-Cole joined Urban Strings Columbus and from there went on to learn the cello and other various string instruments, compose his own music, perform, as well as give private lessons.
“I didn’t know that my passion for violin would actually skyrocket, and it was just something that I enjoyed. I also wanted to be able to play like pop music, R&B music. I started as a classic violinist,” he said.
His many talents caught the eye of educators from Boston’s Berklee College of Music during a summer program. Simpson-Cole was one of only seven from across the country to be awarded a four-year, full tuition scholarship.
“During my audition process they reached out and asked these questions like, ‘You arranged this? You composed this?’ They said that’s the type of person we need here,” said Simpson-Cole. “My instant reaction was no, this isn’t true, this isn’t real, but I believe all the hard work I put into my craft finally started to pay off.”
Simpson-Cole said after graduating he would like to focus on music education and be a role model to other African American students pursuing music as their passion.
“I just think we need more African American teachers in the school system. And we need more culture teachers. We need more diversity. It just takes commitment, but it’s also a love for music. When you really love what you do, it will drive you no matter what career you want to pursue,” says Simpson-Cole.
