Young Poway musician attends New York music camp

A young Poway musician got the chance of a lifetime to attend a music camp in New York this summer thanks to her music teacher.

Riley Danielson, 6, has been playing the violin for two years, including taking classes and performing with the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra with Ulli Reiner, artistic director. Riley and her family, including her father, Chris Danielson, who is also a musician, recently had the opportunity to attend the Mark O’Connor Summer Camp in New York City, where they got to jam with other musicians and learn the Mark O’Connor method for fiddling.

Riley was offered the scholarship to the camp by Reiner, who was teaching at the camp as the orchestra director.

Reiner said that Riley was probably the youngest musician at the camp, ranging up to people in their 70s.

“I knew Riley was perfect (for the scholarship) because her dad would go with her and both would be able to participate,” said Reiner. “I see a special quality in her. I knew she would enjoy it, and that her dad would be supportive and nurturing every step of the way.”

Chris Danielson said Riley getting awarded the scholarship was very exciting and he enjoyed that he could participate as well. “The classes were a lot of fun,” said Danielson. “I called myself Riley’s backing violinist.”

The camp was a great opportunity for Riley, said Danielson, to work with O’Connor and the many talented musicians working at the camp. “Everyone knew Riley at the end,” he said.

Danielson said every day ended in a jam session, which was very fun. “I got to do a lot of things I normally don’t get to do (musically),” he said.

Performing with the orchestra during the camp was Riley’s second time performing with a group on stage, said Danielson. She has previously performed with the YPO.

Riley said she liked playing her violin on stage and liked the new friends she made at the camp. She especially enjoyed learning the folk song “Old Joe Clark,” she said. Danielson said that she has been playing the song often at home.

Riley is the third generation of musicians in the Danielson family. Danielson said he grew up in a musical family and that performing is something they have always done.

Riley said that playing the violin is fun and that she enjoys jamming with her dad outside on their balcony at night. A first grader at Community Montessori Charter School in Poway, she also enjoys dancing, she said.

Riley will continue her musical education with YPO’s new season of violin classes, which teach both the Suzuki and Mark O’Connor method of violin and fiddling, beginning Saturday, Sept. 10. Danielson said Riley was looking forward to continuing her lessons this fall. “It’s fantastic that YPO has been able to keep running,” he said.

Classes are for elementary and middle school age students and have beginner and intermediate levels. The classes are held at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Poway.

For information on the Saturday violin classes, call Ulli Reiner at 858-485-8114 or visit www.yposd.org.