Hoops HD

The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 are taking place in 4 cities around the country and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from Los Angeles with an interview of North Carolina tuba player Ariana Stephenson.

In 2020 you were East Gaston High School salutatorian: how do you balance your work in the band with your work in the classroom? For me, it is all about prioritization and being able to keep to a schedule. Because music has always been a part of my life, and my self-described intense desire to succeed, it was easy to ensure that both aspects were properly attended to.

You are from Mt. Holly, NC: what made you choose UNC? I chose UNC because it offered exactly what I wanted out of college. UNC’s curriculum is shaped to accommodate double-majors, allowing me to pursue both of my passions at the same time. They offer substantial financial aid, and as a student financially supporting myself this was an important criterion. I was also lucky enough to receive a music scholarship that provided me with extra support, financially and musically. In general, UNC was a fantastic option that incorporated everything that I wanted to pursue.

You are majoring in Biology and Music: why did you choose those subjects? I chose to major in biology and music because I have two passions that I did not want to separate. Ever since I was little I always wanted to be a doctor, and biology is the obvious gateway major to get all the necessary requirements. Since attending UNC, my plans have changed slightly and my current goal is towards a pharmacy degree (which UNC is also great for!). The music major allowed me to continue my musical endeavors on tuba. I started out REALLY BAD in 6th grade, and I wanted to prove myself as a musician and be able to stick with the option that had opened so many doors for me. Both majors have shaped me into the person I am today, and I cannot even imagine where I would be without all of the experiences and opportunities I have received from these programs.

When did you 1st start playing the tuba, and what is your favorite song to play? I first started playing the tuba in 6th grade. I originally wanted to play the drums, but my mom told me I could either play flute (her instrument), piano (I hated that), or an instrument she did not have to pay for, and cheesily enough, from the moment I saw the tuba I knew that was the instrument I wanted to play. I have two current favorite songs to play; in the marching band, “Everybody’s Everything,” and in the tuba-performance world, Vaughn Williams’s “6 Studies in English Folk Song” is super-lovely and fun to play.

1 of your hobbies is crocheting: is it as relaxing as it sounds? I love crocheting. It’s a good distraction, and you can make some super-cool things. I am not the best at it, but recently I have been crocheting sea animals, the latest being a turtle and a jellyfish.

The basketball team won 8 games in a row starting in mid-February before losing to NC State in the ACC tourney title game: where does that rank among the most devastating losses of your life? I would not call the loss to NC State one of the most devastating losses of my life. It was hard to see the basketball team lose to a team we had won against in the regular season…but beating any opponent three times in a row is a significant challenge. I cannot speak for the team, but I think the loss gave us more momentum heading into the NCAA tournament and I am super-excited to see this team continue to excel.

They swept Duke during the regular season: did you get to attend the Final 4 win over the Blue Devils in 2022, and how do you explain the rivalry to someone who has never seen it in person? I was unable to attend the Final 4 game against Duke in person, but as a viewer that was one of the most anxiety-inducing and exciting nights of my life. The energy in Chapel Hill that night was electric. All my friends and I were on the edges of our seats the whole game. It was everything you could have wanted in a rivalry game: not only high stakes because it determined who would go on to the championship, but it was also Coach K’s retirement tour. To someone who has never experienced the magic of Carolina-Duke in person, it always promises to be a good game. From the UNC side, whenever we win that game we rush Franklin Street. Nothing tops the feeling of being united as a whole school and celebrating big wins with all your peers. It is truly an unforgettable experience. I have been lucky enough to have done it several times at this school, thanks to our wonderful team (twice this year!!).

How does your school decide who gets to go to the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your band doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? The band is allowed 29 members and 1 director at the NCAA tournament. This group is chosen based on seniority, playing ability, responsibility, and volunteer involvement. The goal is to create the best band possible, so I am extremely thankful to be able to represent my school and the program at UNC. Being a part of this group is truly an extremely special and unique experience that I am super-grateful to be a part of.

Does your group have anything extra-special planned for Los Angeles? We have just been seeing the sights. We made stops at Hollywood Boulevard, the Santa Monica Pier, and the Griffith Observatory yesterday. I think the most special thing we have planned is cheering on our boys as they keep on showing the world how talented a team they are.

Any predictions for your Sweet 16 game vs. Alabama? I do not want to jinx anything…but I think this team is capable of anything and I am super-excited to watch the game unfold. Go Heels!