Humans of BHS: Natalia Diaz

 The talent on display in our school’s orchestra is not just of local origination. Sophomore Natalia Diaz, a dedicated violinist, began her training far from here, in Venezuela, and is now a member of the Brownsburg Symphony Orchestra. 

Diaz first encountered music through the piano; she was drawn definitively to the strings around the age of nine or ten. Her decision to play came across in a vivid inner conviction. 

“I truly did have a dream about playing violin. It was so random. I dreamt that I was playing violin, and then the next day I was like, I really want to play violin!” Diaz said. 

Formal training began in an academy in Zulia, Venezuela, where she quickly integrated into the fully emersed environment of the regional orchestra system. 

Afterwards, she joined the Brownsburg orchestra in 2025, and the core lesson she learned was the necessity of hard work. She explained that the system demanded high standards, which meant quickly catching up to her peers who already had more experience when she moved to Brownsburg. 

“To be a part of the [violin] part of the orchestra, because they had a lot more experience, so I had to work very hard to be on their level,” Diaz said.  

This commitment paid off in moments of notable achievement, such as mastering a particularly demanding section in a major concerto (a music composition for a solo instrument/ instrument accompanied by an orchestra).

“It was really hard, and I suffered a lot,” Diaz said, “but it was worth it!”

When it comes to performing, she offers a relatable perspective. While she intends to focus intensely, she admits that the mind sometimes wanders.  

“Honestly, I would like to say that I really am focused, but I am not,” Diaz said, “I’m probably thinking about food.”

For a dream duet, she chooses a familiar figure: her current teacher, Glen Hauger, stating simply, “he’s nice.”

The memories she cherishes most from her time in Venezuela are primarily on the camaraderie of the orchestra, recalling making jokes and being silly with friends. Her fundamental goal as a musician, however, remains central to her audience. 

“If I’m playing for somebody, I just want to make that person enjoy the music,” Diaz said.