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A nice new instrument is likely in store for a �������� Academy student, courtesy of Equity Arc.   

In May, Musical Pathway Fellow Travis Phillips received word that he�d earned a grant of up to $14,000 to replace his current double bass with a new one.  

Mark Hunsberger, Equity Arc program director, said Phillips �stood out in a highly competitive pool� and that the Cincinnati-based service organization was �truly impressed� by Phillips� �musical accomplishments� and �commitment to a professional performance career.�  

The grant comes at a pivotal moment for Phillips. A rising senior at University School, the student of Tracy Rowell said he will soon audition for college, conservatory, and other high-level music programs, and that a new instrument � paired with a new bow � will likely make an enormous difference.  

Not that his old instrument hasn�t served him well. On the contrary, Phillips� current bass has helped him win a seat in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and the Pathways Orchestra each of the last four years. Through the latter program, Phillips has enjoyed side-by-side training with members of the Chicago, Nashville, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras.  

�Seeing how much knowledge those players have, and then having them pass it on to us, it was very cool,� Phillips said. �It was an experience I wouldn�t get anywhere else.� 

Much the same can be (and is) said about ��������, where Phillips has been a Musical Pathway Fellow since age 12 � seven years after selecting the double bass in an effort to overshadow his violin-playing brother.   

Phillips, a resident of Pepper Pike, said he might have taken private lessons anywhere. Only at ��������, though, did he also get to study music theory, perform in ensembles, and make friends with other like-minded young people.  

�I�ve really loved being part of MPF,� Phillips said, echoing his comments about Equity Arc. �It given me a lot of great opportunities I wouldn�t have had at other places.� 

Opportunities like MPF and Equity Arc will remain critical for Phillips, if his vision for life after graduation is to become reality.  

Whether music plays a leading or secondary role in college, Phillips isn�t yet sure, given his other interest in biomedical engineering. Either way, though, he�ll be studying and making music at a high level, looking for ways to put his talent and training � and new instrument � to the best possible use.  

�I can�t imagine a world where I�m not making music,� Phillips said. �That definitely my goal for the future.�