Lydia Umlauf, 16, is a scholarship recipient and member of the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy program for gifted pre-college musicians where she with MIC artist faculty member Desirée  Ruhstrat.  Lydia is in the 11th grade in the Umlauf Homeschool.  Lydia won the district and state level IMTA (Indiana Music Teachers’ Association) violin competition in Spring, 2003 and district level competition again in April, 2006.   Lydia played in the Northwest Indiana Youth Orchestra for 7 years where she was Assistant concertmaster in 2006-07 and Concertmaster in 2007-08.  Lydia has been hired by St. Joseph’s College (Rensselaer, IN) to play with their Chamber Orchestra for their spring concerts in 2006 & 2007. Lydia won the string solo category at the Bob Jones University Fine Arts Festival in 2006, the Northwest Indiana Youth Orchestra concerto competition, and the Muncie Symphony Young Artist Competition in 2008.  She performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concert with Muncie symphony on Friday, March 7, 2008.  Lydia has performed a Vivaldi Concerto with Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.  Lydia’s Piano trio placed 3rd in the Bob Jones University Fall Festival. Lydia attended Masterworks Music Festival where she was chosen to perform in Master Classes with Roger Frisch and Stephen Clapp. In August 2008, Lydia was invited to Valor Summer Conservatory in Whitewater, WI to perform in a Master Class for Mr. & Mrs. David Cerone of Cleveland Institute. Lydia has won Grand Champion in the 4-H Music Project 6 times. Lydia has started her own studio and currently has 6 students whom she teaches weekly. Lydia plays 1st violin as a regular member of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette, IN. Lydia loves photography and art and loves visiting art museums and galleries. She also loves theater and some of the lead rolls she has played include Oliver from the musical Oliver, Polly from The Magician’s Nephew as well as being in numerous other plays.