The sixty-first installment of a new series on the blog that we will be posting throughout the month of December. As some of you are aware, Music for All will be taking an Honor Band to the 2017 Rose Parade. Our members were selected by audition for the ensemble and come from all across the United States. We are looking forward to coming together for the first time as a band at the end of December and we hope this series will allow us all to get to know some (hopefully most!) of the members of this awesome ensemble!

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Name: Elena Hausmann

Hometown: New Berlin, WI

School Name: New Berlin West High School/University of Wisconsin Stevens Point

Section: Dancer

What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
My sister was a Color Guard member in the 2009 band and I got to watch her perform in this amazing parade. As a tiny 8th grader, I decided that I wanted to follow in her footsteps and I auditioned to be in the 2013 band. Being apart of the band, during my freshman year of high school in 2013 was one of the greatest experiences in my life, so here I am four years later dancing again! But this time I am a freshman in college. Band and dance have always been huge parts of my life and dancing with this band allows me to combine both of my passions.

What part of the trip are you most excited about?
I am excited to dance in the parade again! I know what to expect this time, so I can be less nervous and enjoy my last band performance ever! Is there any better last performance than the Rose Parade? Working with the other dancers as one of older members instead of being the youngest will be a different experience as well.

What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
Band has taught me how to read and play music (I played trumpet), which supplements my dancing and allows me to be more musical in my movement. It has also taught me how to be an individual, while simultaneously being apart of larger group striving for a common goal. Individual expression and teamwork are so important to me. Furthermore, it showed me that hard work can be fun!

Most memorable moment in band?
The memories I made senior year as brass section leader with my fellow section members are irreplaceable. I loved working with them and seeing their progress and improvements. My last spring concert with them is definitely one of the most memorable.

Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
Currently in college, I am a double major in Dance and Biology. In high school, I was involved in Dance Team, choir, Forensics, Theatre, National Honors Society, French Honors Society, French Club, etc.

What’s your favorite book?
As an avid reader, this question is too difficult!

What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
Being a ballet nerd, any score from a ballet such as Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet or Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.

Favorite movie?
Inception

Favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla Bean and Cookie Dough

What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I am attending the University of Stevens Point as a double major in Dance and Biology. After college, I plan on attending graduate school. I’d like to combine my passions for science and dance.

Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
I participated in the 2013 BOA Honor Band.

Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I am a featured soloist in the Dnipro Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble of Milwaukee. I also performed in the 2014 Macy’s Parade with the MGAMB on my birthday!

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