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Utah violinist among 20 high school seniors invited by White House to perform in D.C.

Posted at 10:02 PM, Aug 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-20 00:02:04-04

OREM, Utah -- She is one of the best young violinists in America, and she lives right here in Utah.

This summer, 18-year-old Aubree Oliverson of Orem was one of only 20 high school seniors in the country invited by the White House to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

"The violin allows me to express my emotions that I can't put into words," Oliverson said.

Aubree has been stringing her way to the top since she was six years old, playing for audiences across the United States.

"There is nothing like performing, there is absolutely nothing like it, it's exhilarating to be on stage and thousands of people are watching you," she said.

This summer, she achieved her highest honor yet, performing at the Kennedy Center with the best of the best.

Out of 16,000 high school applicants nationwide, she was one of 20 to be chosen as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. She was also the only violinist.

"It was one of the best feelings I've ever felt, finally something has happened and all my work has payed off," Oliverson said. "Standing on the stage was something I'll never forget, it was so inspiring."

Aubree's parents say what's remarkable is she writes most of her own music.

"We never could have guessed that she would have been able to go so far at this age," said Aubree's mom, Jill.

"Her effort that she puts in, her focus has been inspiring to the whole family," said Aubree's father, Stephen.

This fall, Aubree will officially retire the label of child prodigy and embark on her professional career, attending the prestigious Colburn Music Academy in Los Angeles.

"It's a very competitive world out there, but I'm doing the thing I love the most, I know I want to perform, I know I want to travel, and I know I want to teach," she said.