Izzy Hamilton



Projects by Izzy Hamilton

Jacobs music student harmonizes cello and faith

By Izzy Hamilton, Cayman Werner and Brayden Kenworthy

BLOOMINGTON, Ind (Apr. 3, 2025)

Powerful and resonant tones soared through the air as Daniel plucked the tough strings of the cello. Deep and soulful melodies transport the audience into a warm and peaceful place, allowing the music to create a deep sense of satisfaction.

The Jacobs School of Music at IU is a highly competitive musical program that only accepts 25% of applicants annually. The hours of dedication to practice and juggling school work can be demanding for students at Jacobs. Daniel Gruber, a current sophomore at Jacobs with a cello performance major, has been interested in music since a young age. Growing up, his mom played violin professionally, which allowed him to grow a deep-rooted appreciation and love for the musical arts. 

Gruber glides his bow across the cello strings in Carnegie Hall. Over the summer, Gruber had the privilege of performing in New York City during an orchestra trip. Photo courtesy of Daniel Gruber.

“One day, I was like Mom, what is that? And she said, ‘It’s the cello,’” said Gruber. From then on, he was hooked and said that even when the cello was too big for him to play, he still wanted to hold it and begin learning as soon as possible.

In addition to being exposed to music so early in life, Gruber often got the opportunity to attend professional orchestra concerts. He mentioned how in high school, he remembers “just sitting there and enjoying the sound.” He even compared it to a “mini vacation.” Gruber discussed how his goal is to provide that experience for other people, which is what initially made him want to pursue music full-time.

Gruber was introduced to Jacobs by attending a pre-college program, and while there, a professor suggested that he attend the school. Gruber mentioned that the first semester of college went pretty smoothly, but his schedule quickly amped up as he was juggling a number of difficult classes, joined a quartet, and was feeling a lot of pressure from his professors.

“It’s definitely difficult, and definitely a lot of work, but always rewarding,” said Gruber. 

When asked how much time he devotes to the cello a week, he said, “A week?! Can I just give you a day, and you can go from there?” He then walked us through a typical day in his life, where he stated he has classes in the morning, rehearsals in the afternoon, and then practices on his own in the evening. He concluded that he most likely spends around six to eight hours a day dedicated to playing the cello.

A vital part of Gruber’s life is his faith. Growing up, he was always a part of the youth group at church, served on a worship team, as well as served on the adult and youth music teams. He got involved with the Christian Student Fellowship through his friend Abby, who did her undergrad at IU. When she heard that he was coming here, she reached out to him and suggested he join the CSF community. He mentioned that IU can be very dark and lonesome at times, so at the end of the day, it’s nice to be able to come home and have faith-based conversations with genuine friends that are going to influence him positively.

The Christian Student Fellowship house stands on the northwest side of campus and accommodates students wanting to deepen their faith by living in a Christ-centered community. CSF is the only ministry on campus with a house, but members encourage all students to join their events.

In Gruber’s words, “CSF is a house where around 50-60 residents live and a place where you have the opportunity to live in a Christ-centered community that provides fellowship, services such as small groups and encounter on Thursdays, and a very intentional community.”

Balance as a college student can be extremely difficult, even without the extra challenges of being a competitive music major. When Gruber was asked about how he is able to balance all of the most important aspects of his life, he said, “I try to keep school at school.”

It is important to Gruber that when he comes back to CSF at the end of the day, he can dedicate his time to community and fellowship. In addition, he makes sure to attend the worship services on Thursdays as well as church on Sundays. 

Gruber talked about how when the cello is time-consuming, he tries to keep the mindset that “it is [his] worship.” He likes to view the cello as a way that he is working for the Lord instead of his professor. He mentions that this can be extremely difficult at times, but he tries to stick to it.

Ben Geiger is hoisted on the shoulders of two students in front of the CSF house. Geiger is the lead campus minister of the Christian Student Fellowship, and he is known for being a leader and a helping hand for Christian students. Photo courtesy of the Christian Student Fellowship website.

Ben Geiger, CSF’s lead campus minister, said that Gruber is very active, cares about the CSF community, and is friends with pretty much everyone in the house. “He’s very involved in small groups, as well as very passionate about helping serve on campus, as well as at the CSF house,” said Geiger.

He then told a story about a time when Gruber and a group of his friends asked if a special exception could be made within the CSF house so that more people could live there. “Legally, we can room up to four people a room, but typically the only leases we offer are for two to three people to a room,” said Geiger. This situation is an example of how Gruber puts others before himself and makes faith the center of his life. “It just shows a little bit of his heart,” said Geiger.

Daniel displays grit and determination to balance a rigorous school schedule, intense cello expectations, as well as social and faithful fulfillment. By keeping faith the center of his life and dedicating his time to what matters most, he is able to maneuver his laboring college life with a smile each day. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Jo4orhUd4

Daniel Gruber, a cello performance major in the Jacobs School of Music, balances his life of music and faith through excelling in academics and the Christian Student Fellowship at IU. He finds fulfillment in both worlds, despite their differences.

 

Apple Watch Debuts: A Game-Changer for Tech and Fitness!

For Immediate Release

Apple’s New Product Debuts: The Apple Watch, A Game-Changer for Tech and Fitness

Media Contacts:

Cali Kroncke

Izzy Hamilton

Chloe Schiller

 

The Apple Watch launch was announced by Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, on Monday, September 9th at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California. Cook said that he “believes this product will redefine what people expect from its category and is the next chapter in Apple’s story.” An incredibly detailed and aesthetically pleasing video was displayed to the audience, showcasing the new Apple product and its multitude of uses. As Cook returned to the stage to go more in-depth about the watch, he was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. Cook said the Apple Watch is “the most personal device we’ve ever created” and talked about how customers are able to apply their own style and personalization to the product.

This cook is showing off is his apple watch, designed for communication with the sorority house. He is wearing it to showcase how he has personalized it for himself.

The product is much more than just a watch, as it also taps into health and fitness, communication, and a multitude of other extensions. Cook explained how similar to the mouse on the Mac and the click wheel on the iPod, Apple “placed extra functionality in a mechanism that has been on the watch for decades.” Apple turned the traditional dial into a “Digital Crown,” which allows users to zoom in and out, scroll through a list, and also acts as a home button for the Apple Watch. Many other important functions include pressing the button located underneath the digital crown allowing users to contact friends in seconds, as well as glances allowing the user to swipe through information quickly, including weather, time, health, and calendar. The watch works seamlessly with the iPhone and allows customers to access a large variety of apps directly from their wrist.

This teen girl checks her apple watch as she prepares for the Little 500 bike race. With focus and determination, she uses the watch’s features to keep track of her progress.

The Apple Watch is easily accessible as it senses when users are raising their wrist and instantly illuminates, displaying a home screen with apps that are already familiar to Apple users. Users have the ability to respond to messages on their watch using smart replies, as well as answer phone calls. Although the Apple Watch prides itself on being technologically advanced, it also is focused on its exterior. Cook said that Apple was incredibly careful and deliberate when creating the Apple Watch and showed a second video discussing the background that went into the design of the watch. The flexible retina display is laminated to a polished single crystal of sapphire which is the second hardest transparent material after diamond.

Not only does the product encourage users to embrace their individuality, but it also provides haptic feedback and sound to further enhance the customer experience. Jony Ive, Apple’s senior VP of Design said, “We have worked closely with horological experts from around the world to help us understand the cultural and historical significance of timekeeping, and this has profoundly informed our design.” Cook went into detail about the multitude of different bands, colors, and styles available to accommodate the various lifestyles that their customers lead. These different straps and bands are also easily interchangeable so that customers can quickly maximize comfortability and versatility throughout their day. Anything from stainless steel, to sweat and chemical-resistant bands, Apple wants to provide customers with optimum comfort and style no matter what their goals are.

Cook also mentioned how Apple created three different types of Apple watches including, the Apple Watch, Apple Sport, and Apple Edition. Cook said, “We designed Apple Watch as a whole range of products enabling millions of unique designs unparalleled personalization both in appearance and capability.” Starting at $349, Cook urged consumers that “the Apple Watch empowers people and enriches their lives.” Apple is incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that was put into bringing this product to fruition and they can’t wait to share it with the world. 

The Apple Watch being released, showing what it looks like and what it can do. People can use it in a variety of different ways.

 

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