Collegiate High sophomore Sasha Hitachi is a talented musician with big dreams and plans for her future. One dream was to perform with Emmanuel Pahud, a renowned French and Swiss flute player. Ms. Hitachi applied for a masterclass with Mr. Pahud, hoping to perform, but she did not expect to have her dream come true. Ms. Hitachi was one of only six applicants from the region selected to play in a prestigious event earlier this year at the University of Georgia.
"I was going up against college students getting master’s and doctorates," Ms. Hitachi said, but she did not let that stop her. "I didn't know when another opportunity like this would come again.”
Ms. Hitachi was the first to perform, playing the Ibert Flute Concerto. Despite being nervous about performing in front of professionals and strangers, she views the opportunity as a wonderful experience. Playing with Mr. Pahud has bolstered her confidence in performances since the event. “I wasn’t nervous at all,” she said about subsequent competitions. “I was thinking, if I can stand in front of Mr. Pahud and several hundred people and play this piece, then this isn't anything to be worried about.’”
Ms. Hitachi also credits her enrollment in Collegiate High as being instrumental in the pursuit of her musical passions. The flexibility of college faculty and her schedule have allowed her to travel, compete and practice. “I am so appreciative of where I am now, especially since I can keep up with school and still be involved in other extracurricular activities,” Ms. Hitachi said.
Collegiate High is a partnership between Hamilton County Schools and Chattanooga State. The school helps students expedite their education and get a head start on college by earning college credit hours. Collegiate High graduates have the opportunity to finish with a high school diploma and a college associate’s degree. Collegiate High is part of the Missionary Ridge Learning Community in Hamilton County Schools.
For more information about Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State, visit https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/early-college/collegiate-high.