She sat there with confidence. Intent on keeping pace with the baton floating back and forth, her fingers danced along the metal as the sounds of classical music escaped through the holes in her flute. She played like no one was around, yet she kept in time with her peers. Her name is Emma LaBreck, and she plays the flute.

Unlike most students who pick up their first instrument in fourth grade, LaBreck started playing flute straight out of kindergarten. When asked why she picked flute so early she said, “My cousin, whom I really looked up to, played flute. I would see her perform and wanted to be just like her.”

With LaBreck’s many years of practice and private lessons, she obtained the high honor of becoming first chair of her respected section while only in her sophomore year of high school. LaBreck commented, “Michelle Parris was chair leader the previous year, which was great because I really learned a lot from her.”

Teacher and Conductor of the Scituate High School band, Mrs. Tucker said that LaBreck “is an extremely accomplished flutist. She has been in the top section of the band since she was a freshman, and has been section leader for several years.”

First chair is just the start of LaBreck’s musical accomplishments. LaBreck is also a part of Scituate High School’s Select Choir and has been a part of the SEMSBA and Districts music festivals for her high achievement in flute. LaBreck has a true talent, which everyone should take an opportunity to hear.

It is no exaggeration to say that LaBreck is a busy student: she is involved in many clubs and activities, but she always has time for music. Part of the reason she loves playing is because it is an outlet to relieve stress and to relax, which is important, especially in this busy time of applying to colleges. Going into college, LaBreck hopes to continue playing at least at the club level and to keep improving her skills even more.

In her four years at SHS, LaBreck has grown not only in her musical abilities but as an individual. Mrs. Tucker further explained that LaBreck has become “a much more confident individual” in the time she has had her as a student and that when confronted with something outside her comfort zone she “accepts the challenge, pushes herself to do it, and achieves it.” It is exciting to see what LaBreck will achieve next!