Michael Sabatka - Churchville-Chili
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: March 17, 2009
Michael Sabatka is the principal violist with the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. It's a coveted position, earned after 14 years of hard work. "It's become something I love to do," says Michael. "I mean I was always excited to play, just not on those nice days when you wanted to go outside! But that's changed."
This Churchville-Chili senior started on the violin when he was four years old. Soon after, he picked up the viola, and has worked with private teacher Alice Kanack for 11 years. She says Michael is a versatile musician. We caught up with them as they improvised to the classic tune, "Heart and Soul." Kanack says, "Michael is a wonderful student first of all, a wonderful person second of all. He's done so many things with his music in so many different ways. I think he's just a remarkable kid."
Like so many great talents, Michael loves to share his music with others. Thanks to him, younger students are learning to play using the Suzuki Method. His dream is to make a living with his viola. "I will be definitely auditioning," he says, "and nailing those auditions to get into a professional orchestra, and teaching Suzuki lessons because I don't know any other method and it's worked for me and I love working with the kids."
In the fall, Michael's heading to the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio.
