Perfect Pitch and Much More
Ashni M. Budge ’24, ’24E
Talent, drive, and donor generosity fuel the ambitions of this scholarship recipient
By the time Ashni Budge arrived at the Eastman School of Music, she’d already dedicated most of her life to music. She started playing the violin at just three years old. When she was five, she added the piano to her repertoire.
At about that same time, Budge’s family discovered that she had perfect pitch. Budge attributes that to her grandmother, a professional Chinese opera singer. “She taught my younger brother and me to sing,” says Budge, who grew up outside of Los Angeles. “I have vivid memories of the two of us performing and of me putting on operas for our family.”
In middle school, Budge joined the band and, even though it didn’t have a string section, she wasn’t deterred. That’s when she picked up the clarinet, which she continued playing throughout high school. She joined the choir, too.
When it came time to decide on a college, Budge knew Eastman was for her. She was drawn to its renowned reputation and that it is part of the University of Rochester, a leading private research university with a flexible undergraduate curriculum. She was also excited to travel and live on the other side of the country.
Being a scholarship recipient has made it all possible for Budge. “Without the generosity of others, I couldn’t afford to be here,” she adds. “I can’t believe that people who don’t even know me have provided me with scholarships. Someday, I hope to help others in a similar way.”
Music has always given me an outlet, a way to express my feelings. As long as my life has music in it and involves some performing and watching people grow and develop, I’ll be happy. Thank you to all of the people who have supported me along the way—I’m forever grateful.`` – Ashni Budge
In the meantime, Budge is taking advantage of every opportunity. Not only is she an applied music major studying violin at Eastman, she is also a psychology major and brain and cognitive sciences minor at the University’s School of Arts & Sciences. Along the way, she’s performed in live-to-picture renditions of Danny Elfman’s Batman, cofounded a string quartet with friends, called the Avant Quartet, and earned the prestigious position of concertmaster for the Eastman Philharmonia. Budge has been recognized for her academic achievements, too. She’s on the dean’s list and was inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society for psychology students, as a sophomore.
In 2022, Budge and her quartet participated in what’s become a life-changing experience for her: Eastman-to-Go. This one-semester chamber music course provides select ensembles opportunities to bring music into the Greater Rochester community, with a focus on presenting classical music to new, young audiences. Budge loved it, and so did the people with whom she interacted.
For instance, at the Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19, one of the schools they visited, Budge’s influence was so significant that she was invited back for the 2023–24 academic year to give violin lessons to fifth graders. “Working with them has been among the best experiences of my life,” says Budge. “We even played a few pieces with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra over the winter holidays, which was a thrill for us all.”
Next up for Budge? In the short term, she’s practicing for a Sibelius violin concerto and a performance of Schubert’s Cello Quintet in C Major. Long term, she hopes to go to graduate school for music. She’s even considering law school someday.
Whatever Budge does, she knows music will always play a part.
The Wegman Family Scholarship Challenge
In recognition of the Eastman School of Music’s commitment to the next generation of leaders in music and the performing arts, the Wegmans Family Foundation established a $2 million scholarship challenge to encourage the creation of new endowed scholarships. Since 2021, nearly $6 million has been raised through the 46 scholarships established during the Wegman Family Scholarship Challenge, including the Joyce Osborn Violin Scholarship.
“Thank you to the Wegmans and the many donors who joined the Wegman Family Scholarship Challenge. Together, they are supporting the next generation of artists and leaders who will inspire audiences and transform lives through music.”—Jamal Rossi, Joan and Martin Messinger Dean, Eastman School of Music
“Without scholarship support, I probably never could have attended Eastman. Thus, the thought of giving someone else the opportunities I had rose in my mind. That’s why I set up this scholarship, to help wonderful young musicians like Ashni get an Eastman education. I’m so impressed by her and am overjoyed that I can help.”—Joyce Osburn ’54E
— Kristine Kappel Thompson, 2024