Longtime Elemental Music student Sadie has always felt like music was her community and so she chose to celebrate her 16th birthday in the most fitting way possible: with a concert benefiting Elemental Music.
Currently a violinist in our Chamber Music Institute, Sadie performed both solo as well as alongside her CMI piano trio (they call themselves the Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies), her mom (who is the Director of Core Music for our Elemental @ Westminster program), her violin teacher (and previous CMI master class guest) Lina Bahn, and even a string quartet featuring three Elemental Music teachers. And instead of birthday gifts, Sadie invited guests to make donations to support Elemental Music’s programs, raising $1,000!
We are grateful for the many people who supported Sadie’s concert with gifts to our organization, and so inspired by Sadie’s choice to give back and make music possible for other young musicians.
Learn more about Sadie, what planted the seed for this birthday concert, and more in our interview with her below!
Elemental Music: How did you first get involved with Elemental Music?
Sadie: I became involved in Elemental when I joined Elemental Strings in third grade. I believe my first concert was in 2018, and I remember loving the feeling that I was a part of something big - that each part was important and that every member relied on each other. Not being a sports person, Elemental Music gave me the opportunity to have a team that I could count on - students and faculty.
Today I have learned the importance of not being afraid to ask questions, and to thrive not only individually but as a group. It hasn’t just affected my musical journey, but also my mindset outside of music that works with peers everyday, and seeks to improve my communication and teamwork skills.
EM: What inspired you to celebrate your birthday with a concert instead of a more traditional party?
S: I had the idea to do a culminating recital performance for my 16th birthday a while ago. It started after thinking about quinces and bat/bar mitzvahs, and the cultural ties that come with the ceremonies. It was hard for me to think about categorizing myself into something that could’ve been inherited, instead of chosen. My community is music, and always has been. I wanted to culminate the first part of my life by celebrating through my chosen culture, which formed my interest in creating a concert that sums up my musical experience.
EM: This was a carefully curated event - how did you decide on the program for your concert?
Sadie performing with The Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies, her Elemental Music Chamber Music Institute trio
S: Each song picked was instinctual, and was in the sweet spot of being relatively new material to push me, and reachable enough to be able to play each piece proudly. It was so fun during the brainstorm period, especially thinking about what the accompanying string quartet could play. I tried to create a variety of different listening experiences because I am one of those people that gets antsy half way through a classical concert, so I know how hard it is to stay still and listen.
EM: Can you tell us about the people you performed with and what makes them special to you?
Sadie performing with Lina Bahn at Sculpted by Sound, her birthday benefit concert for Elemental Music
S: I had the honor to work with my violin teacher Lina Bahn, who is also a string professor at USC. She is so relatable to her students, but she also knows what’s best for each of them. I’ve had the best time getting to know Ms. Bahn the past couple years, and I still can’t believe I am studying with her - it’s truly the biggest honor. The well known Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies also made an appearance during the concert, where we played a commissioned piece “Duck and Roll.” Not only have they become amazing musical partners, but great lifelong friends.
EM: You asked guests to donate to Elemental Music in lieu of receiving birthday gifts. What made you decide to do that?
The Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies, a trio from Elemental Music’s Chamber Music Institute, perform at BroadStage’s Pre-Show on the Plaza ahead of Delirium Musicum’s performance in March 2026.
S: The gift itself was the concert, and being able to play with such talented people. I got to share this gift with the audience which was more than enough for me. I realized the journey I’ve had with Elemental Music, and I really wanted to give back. I mean, The Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies would never have formed without the help of Elemental, and specifically Ms. Call! Especially because of our nation’s current circumstances, I want every student to be able to have the musical opportunities I got to have growing up. Elemental Music is an organization I can get behind 100%, so in any way I can help even one more student be in Elemental’s community, I want to help.
EM: What would you say to younger students who are just starting their Elemental Music journey?
S: To any younger students in Elemental Music, stick it out if music means a lot to you. Your interests may go in waves, but music that stays in your heart will always stay within you. View feedback as a learning opportunity, not something that is trying to shoot you down. I think I spent a lot of time being afraid to try new things musically, like judging my improvisation skills when I was younger. Music can be a superpower. Learn how to use it in a way that matters to you, whichever way that may be.