On stage, Elena Lee, a senior history education major, plays many roles. Whether playing her tenor saxophone with the Northwestern Symphonic Band or rocking out with Just Jazz, she knows how to bring light to any room with the power of music. Beyond that, Lee has also brought joy to people across campus through the art of community crafting with her club, Crafternoon. Throughout all of these things, her personality and love for others shines through, especially through her leadership and the happiness that has trailed her across campus for the past four years.
Lee started her long history with the fine arts before she could even remember.
“My mom is, and always has been, a preschool teacher,” she said. “So I basically grew up with a hot glue gun in my hand.”
More than just crafts, however, she started playing piano in second grade and the saxophone in fifth grade. She carried her love for music into her middle and high school years with choir and jazz band. Since then, Lee has brought that same love with her to college, where she participates in several ensembles and even picked up playing the organ.
“It is how I spend my free time,” she said. “In fact, I cannot even remember my life before music and art.”
One of the biggest ensembles Lee plays a role in is the Symphonic Band. Even though it may take a good deal of time, she gets to use it as a fun way to take a break.
“I get to do something completely different from what I have been doing the rest of the day,” Lee said. “It is a good way to meet people and has been a good shift in the average school day.”
Along with the band, Just Jazz has been an important part of Lee’s college career. She went as far as saying that it is one of the best things to come out of her college years.
“It has been fun to watch it grow and change from year to year” she said. “And I have learned that if I mess up, it is ok because it is Just Jazz.”
Another integral part of Lee’s time at NW has been Crafternoon. Starting from just a small idea and turning it into something that has changed her life forever, she said that she will always have fond memories of the club.
“The leadership has made me intentional about the spaces I create for others in my community,” she said. “It is affirming to know that I met a need of community that was present on campus.”
All in all, Lee expressed that she has deeply enjoyed being a part of the arts at NW for the past four years. “I have been able to run with my wildest dreams and create things I love with so many people that I love.” The arts have been so influential TO Lee that she plans to take bits and pieces of it into her future.
“When I do not have a structured schedule around music, I am going to wait until I miss it so that I can find the joy again,” Lee said.
Lee explained, however, that there is something different about making art with a group.
“Crafting will never go away, but there is something special about making art with a group of people that I hope to find in the future.”
After graduation, Lee plans to move to Nashville, where she plans to be a teacher or a historian. However, even though she has bright and promising plans for her future, she still looks back on her freshman-year self and what she would have done differently.
“I would tell past me to take risks and make myself uncomfortable,” she said,.“Hit the high note in a solo, even if it cracks. Wear the mismatched outfit that makes you stand out. Be true to yourself, because it is the best thing you can be.”
