Holly started playing the violin when she was 8-years-old after seeing her classmate bring a violin to school for show and tell. After injuring both hands in high school, she took a nearly 15-year hiatus from playing violin, but it always remained an important part of her life. 

She didn't pursue violin again in earnest until she almost lost the ability to play completely. In November 2017, Holly fell down a flight of stairs and crushed the "funny" bone nerve in her left elbow, and badly bruised and compressed the nearby bone. She was told she'd never play violin again. 

This "tower moment" made her realize how much she loved violin and suddenly all of barriers to practice seemed insignificant. Over the next two years, she retrained and rehabbed her left elbow despite being told it was not worth attempting. She started playing violin for 1 minute a day, then worked up to five minutes a day. Now, she can now play pain free for several hours a day. Perhaps most importantly, she regained the love she had as a child for the violin. 

It shouldn't take a crisis to make you realize what matters most in life and what brings you joy. That's one reason why she's so passionate about helping other musicians learn healthier practice habits.

In addition to playing violin, Holly worked at Stanford University between 2013 and 2024. Most recently, she worked as the Associate Director, News Editor, and Science Writer for the Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences (2021-2024). Previously she worked in roles for the Stanford School of Medicine, the Stanford School of Earth, and Stanford University Communications.

Holly lives in Oakland, California with her partner Phillip Wharton and five cats. Yes, five cats.