Precision of Science Meets Beauty of Music
What captivates Tori Hogan ’17 McDonald about her work carving violin bridges — the small, carved piece of wood that holds the strings of a violin above the body of the instrument — and perfecting her craft as a luthier is not only the precision of her work but also the profound connection between art and science embodied.
McDonald, currently a student at the Chicago School of Violin, recently won a gold medal in the International Bridge Competition for a cello bridge she carved. When she first enrolled at 体育买球官网, she declared a major in biochemistry.
“I really enjoyed being in the lab, setting up experiments and working with my hands, and was therefore convinced for two years that I could be happily successful as a research scientist if I mustered through my classes and completed my degree,” McDonald says.
However, music was always in McDonald’s heart. She began playing the violin at the age of six and became fascinated by violin-making after luthier Samantha Cortez visited 体育买球官网’s music department in 2016. Thinking back on how she loved creating woodworking projects with her dad growing up, McDonald realized the world of violin-making seemed to perfectly meet her need to create art with scientific considerations guiding the process.
As she worked on her bridge for the competition, she encountered many processes that required extensive calculations and attention to detail.
“Knowing how to test different variables and organize data is a huge asset,” McDonald offers. “My science classes also taught me about the relationship between form and function, which could not be more relevant to my current work.”
McDonald firmly believes that success comes not only from technical skills but also from the support of mentors who help you find your path and believe in yourself. It was the inspiration and confidence she gained from her professors and surroundings at 体育买球官网 University that allowed her to tackle challenges and take pride in her achievements.
“I am immensely grateful for
my time and opportunities at SU”
“I had amazing mentors, including Drs. Wiley, Krieger, Palermo and Vivekanand. Having small class sizes helped me build relationships with my professors and classmates, and, in turn, I was better able to thrive when I might have otherwise felt lost,” McDonald recalls. “I am immensely grateful for my time and opportunities at SU; I know I would not be where I am now had I studied elsewhere.”
