Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2014

I was born into a Christian home in El Salvador, and I learned about God at an early age. I accepted Jesus Christ in a Sunday morning church service when I was 8 years old. Since I opened my heart to Him, He has continually worked in my life and blessed me abundantly. Praise Him for His Mighty Acts I am grateful for the ability God has given me to play the violin. I started my violin studies when I was 5 years old. By the time I turned 16, I had joined the El Salvador National Symphony Orchestra. After finishing high school, I decided to pursue music as my profession. In El Salvador, it is not possible to study music at a university; I knew I would have to study abroad. My parents could not afford my studies in a foreign country, so my family, my friends, and I started praying that God would open an opportunity for me to study overseas. God answered a year later when I received a full-tuition scholarship to pursue my bachelor’s degree in violin performance at Biola University and, later, another full-tuition scholarship to earn my master’s degree at the University of Cincinnati. Psalm 37:4 has meant so much to me throughout my life: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Delighting yourself in the Lord means to fully enjoy being a Christian, to put Christ first in your life, to let Him lead you wherever He wants you to go, and to reflect Him in your life. I have found that as I have done this, God has helped me achieve my desires in life. Praise Him With Stringed Instruments One of my desires was to become a professional musician. After finishing graduate work at Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, I wanted to play in a symphony orchestra. God led me to the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra in Japan, where I was part of the first violin section. I was there for four years and was invited to play in different churches, meeting many Christians in several cities throughout Japan. I wanted to further my violin studies, so I moved back to the United States. I applied to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh to pursue my Artist Diploma, a postgraduate degree focused in violin performance. God was again faithful, providing me with an assistantship to fully cover my tuition. God has greatly blessed me by allowing me to complete my entire education on full-tuition scholarships. Since God has given me so much throughout my life, I want to show my appreciation to Him by using my music as a ministry for His glory. Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord Eventually, I felt God leading me to serve in Christian higher education, something God had begun showing me during my time at Biola. Studying at a Christian institution helped me to grow in my walk with the Lord and prepared me to succeed in my professional career. When I learned about the opportunity to teach at Cedarville, I applied and was invited for a campus interview. During my visit, I felt God’s presence through the faculty, students, and staff of the University. I was offered the position of violin professor and conductor of the orchestra. Having previously taught for 14 years at a state institution, I can attest to the special environment that exists at Cedarville. It is a unique experience to gather every morning in chapel to praise our Lord and learn from His Word. As a professor at Cedarville, I want to prepare my students to succeed in their careers, as well as to help themapply the knowledge they gain to the service of Jesus Christ. I want my students to not only talk about Christ, but to reflect Him in their daily lives to make an impact in the world. I want people to be intrigued by their actions, their answers, and their attitudes. I want them to see the joy that only Jesus Christ can provide. Carlos Elias is a Professor of Music and Conductor of Cedarville’s Symphony Orchestra. He has performed in solo recitals and orchestras in eight countries and was previously Concertmaster of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director and Conductor of the Symphony in the Valley in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. You may contact him at carloselias@cedarville.edu. Visit cedarville.edu/letstango to preview Carlos’ instrumental CD, Let’s Tango , featuring duets with his wife, pianist Andrea Arese-Elias. by Carlos Elias Cedarville Magazine | 17