Cayman Werner



Projects by Cayman Werner

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 CEO Announces New Revolutionary Product

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

Media Contacts
Cayman Werner
Jada Wolf
Addison Miller

CUPERTINO, California (Sept. 9, 2014) — Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the launch of its new product, the Apple Watch, which includes ground-breaking technology that combines personalization and efficiency for users.

Cook teased those who attended the press event on Tuesday by explaining there is “one more thing” after giving a presentation on the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The immediate arouse of the crowd ignited a smile on Cook’s face, and that enthusiasm and excitement within the audience and Cook stayed through the presentation of the Apple Watch.

As the “most personal device we’ve ever created”, Cook said, the Apple Watch is sure to be the next major step in the evolution of Apple. The watch’s main features include telling accurate time, connecting people, and tracking fitness with its pitch of being a wearable iPhone. The Apple Watch will be able to pair with the iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, and the upcoming iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Female student uses Apple Watch.
IU student, Lucy Pappas, uses her Apple Watch to track her time while studying. She uses a timer to pace herself and allow for small breaks.

Kevin Lynch, a software developer for Apple, also showed the audience the real-time use of the watch by connecting its contents to the large screen. With just a raise of the wrist, the watch turns on with a display of all the apps: clock, mail, phone, messages, fitness, maps, and more. The user interface of the Apple Watch is flawless and efficient with a digital crown, similar to a crown on a regular watch, that allows for scrolling through lists and zooming in and out without having to touch the watch. When notifications are sent to a user’s phone, the notification also pops up on the watch. Users are then able to take different steps depending on what kind of notification it is. For messages, simply use the smart reply or dictation tools for a quick response. With the ability to customize watch faces, control music, use glances to swipe through critical information, and even the implementation of Siri, the Apple Watch is sure to be a revolutionary product.

Fitness is also an important factor with this watch that can be used for any person whether just wanting to track their movement throughout the day or wanting to train for the Olympics. The Activity app encourages 3 types of movement with rings that signify whether the user has hit the goal: stand, move, and exercise. The Fitness app tracks specific kinds of exercises, like running and biking, while encouraging users to meet their goals during the workout. “Apple Watch is going to greatly improve the way we keep track of our activity and change the way we look at fitness,” Jay Blahnik, the Director of Fitness at Apple said.

While Jony Ive, senior VP of design at Apple, also touched on the watch’s features in a narrated video, he gave details about the physical makeup of the watch and the different types of editions and bands users can choose from. The watch is made of single crystal sapphire, the second hardest material in the world, and it has a Zirconia back with 4 sapphire lenses with LEDs and photo sensors to accurately detect pulse rate. Charging the watch couldn’t be easier with Apple’s MagSafe® technology and effective charging to create a magnetic placement that perfectly fits the watch. “It is so simple and elegant, it is something only Apple could do,” Cook said.

“We have designed 6 different straps and a mechanism that makes the straps easily interchangeable with a refinement and precision that’s born of functionality,” Ive said. These straps include a Sport Band made of tough, sweat-resistant elastomer offered in bold colors; the Leather Loop made of soft, quilted leather that includes magnets for adjustment and optimal comfort; the Milanese Loop made of stainless steel mesh with a magnet closure; the hand-crafted leather Modern Buckle that includes a metal clasp and wraps symmetrically around the wrist; the leather Classic Buckle to resemble regular watches; and the stainless steel Link Bracelet with a slim clasp. To include wrists of all sizes, the Apple Watch offers a smaller watch with smaller straps. “We knew one size wouldn’t fit everyone,” Ive said.

Maintenance worker stays in touch using Apple Watch.
Tracy, an IU Evans House’s maintenance worker, uses his Apple Watch to check the levels of a newly renovated AC unit. He enjoys the efficiency of the technology and assures it makes his job easier.

Three collections will be available at the beginning of 2015: the Apple Watch, made of stainless steel, the Apple Watch Sport, with a glass cover and aluminum case, and Apple Watch Edition, made of 18-karat gold. The retail price will start at $349 (USD). “We think people are going to love to use Apple Watch; they are going to love to wear it,” Cook said. “It’s something functional, yet incredibly beautiful. It empowers people and enriches their lives.”

Tim Cook announces the new Apple Watch and its features. This product is anticipated to be the technology of the year.

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