Unconventional students at Rice 2018: Similar, but unique

Twin seniors Jacqueline and Katherine Audas have been playing music since they were 3 years old.

“We were watching the New York Philharmonic on PBS, and the TV showed someone playing the violin,” Jacqueline said. “I told my mom, ‘That looks fun. I want to do that.’”

“I’ve been playing cello since my parents could find one that was small enough for me,” Katherine said.

Nearly two decades later, their commitment to music hasn’t wavered. Katherine is graduating with a degree in cello performance and Jacqueline is earning a degree in violin performance.

When both twins decided to pursue music at Rice, they wanted to make sure they had their own identities. By joining separate residential colleges (McMurtry and Will Rice) and getting involved in different organizations, they accomplished their goal.

They were inspired to attend Rice by their grandfather, Joel Cyprus ‘59, who taught electrical engineering at Rice for more than 30 years and encouraged them to pursue academics as well as music.

“I always really wanted to go to a university,” Katherine said. “I didn’t want to go to a conservatory, and Rice is the best of both worlds in that you can have the really intense music education and also reap the benefits of a university.”