# @giovanniviolin on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj8sWQQhQh6
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/19682927-giovanniviolin-instagram
- **Posted:** 2018-06-13T03:03:38.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Giovannni Mazza (@Giovanniviolin) — https://gondola.cc/Giovanniviolin

## Caption

People often ask me how I got started with the NBA. At age 9, I entered a Chicago Bulls Youth Talent Search and I played my half-size violin for a crowd of 22k people during halftime with two other contestants who were incredible singers. It was scary the first time I played in front of that many people but I also loved the feeling I got afterwards, a big adrenaline rush. I didn’t win the contest but I had the best time. The Bulls were so kind to ask me back to play for a time out. I worked really hard and got even better. Then the Bulls pitched me for practice session at the NBA All-Stars in 2016. At the last minute, I got bumped to the NBA All-Stars Rising Stars halftime. It was the first time I played a really difficult Bach Partita piece followed by a hip-hop track. It was such a rush. After the All-Stars 2016, NBA teams slowly started to ask me to play for them. The first was the Orlando Magic for  their charity gala. Then Golden State Warriors asked me to play a halftime. I worked so very hard to get better and better. I have had the most amazing opportunities, but I’ve worked so hard fo deserve each one. I work really hard every single day, hours and hours of practice, to deserve future opportunities. I am grateful that I had the courage to take a risk at 9-years old. •
•
•
#bravekid #violinboy #violinkids #violin🎻 #violinist nba chicagobulls #chicagobullsnation

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,336
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 53

## Tags

chicagobullsnation, violinkids, violin, bravekid, violinist, violinboy

---
Copyright (c) Gondola