After school, she might attend a meeting of the Future Physicians of America Club or the Knowledge Masters Club--since she is the current president of both--or she might stop by the Saratoga Historical Museum to put in a few hours toward her internship. Then, it's home to hit the books and practice the violin.

For Ashley, it's all in a day's work.

Despite her busy, hectic schedule, and the fact that college applications for seniors typically begin this month, Ashley appears to be a healthy, well-rounded, polite 17-year-old Saratoga High School student. But there's more to her story.

By the age of 4, Ashley was already trying to determine her life's passion. She tried sports, but never really got into them. So her mother, Aryong Moon, suggested a musical instrument. Ashley tried her hand at the piano, but her fingers were so small, they became lost amidst the many keys. So she picked up the violin, and nearly 13 years later not a day goes by that she doesn't play it.

Today, Ashley is one of the Bay Area's most accomplished classical musicians. She has played with such groups as the Peninsula Youth Orchestra, which she led as concertmaster from 2002 to 2004; the San Jose Youth Symphony; and, currently, the California Youth Symphony, of which she is this year's featured soloist and concertmaster. Her list of awards and competition victories is too long to mention, but just a few highlights would be her first place wins in the CYS Concerto Competition last year and the Music Teachers Association of California Solo State Competition this year. In 2003, she received the Command Performance Award from the California Music Educator's Association, and was selected as both a laureate in the Junior Bach Festival and a performer in the Carmel Bach Festival.

Ashley's musical talent has taken her all over the world. She toured Italy with CYS last year, participating in the Film Music Festival, and also with PYO as a participant in the International Youth Orchestra Festival. She has also visited China, Hong Kong and Korea.

"Music is a way for me to connect with people. I don't even have to speak the same language as them. Sometimes it's easier to get emotions across through music than with words," Ashley says. "It's really rewarding when I get to see my audience and I know they understand what I'm trying to say in my music."

Soon, those audiences will get to take a little slice of Ashley's musical message home with them. This week marks the release of the CD, The Maestro's Pick: Orchestral Virtuoso Showpieces featuring Ashley Lau and the California Youth Symphony on Nov. 13. Sales of the CD will benefit CYS' next overseas tour to China in June. Ashley says the CD features her solo in the Sibelius Violin Concerto, as well as CYS performances of Franz Liszt's Mazeppa, Richard Strauss' Dance of the Seven Veils and Medea's Dance of Vengeance by Samuel Barber, from various concerts last November and earlier this year in March and May.

Ashley says one of her favorite parts of being a member of CYS is getting to work with the group's conductor, Maestro Leo Eylar.

"He is the core of the orchestra. He is an incredibly devoted conductor, and his dedication to CYS is awe-inspiring. There is so much to learn from him, and not just in terms of music. Besides being a conductor, a composer and a violinist, he is also a true educator, and he really cares about every single musician in the orchestra," she says. "He can bring out the best in every musician and highlight his or her strengths. CYS is so fortunate to have him, and would not be what it is today without him."

She says she is also enjoying the positive changes she has seen in herself since joining the group.

"Through CYS, I have not only changed my approach to music, but also my whole perspective of life as well," she says. "It takes teamwork to make the orchestra great, not just individual excellence."

As college choices approach, she has both Stanford and USC in mind. She is considering studying medicine, but also wants to continue pursuing music and see where it takes her.

Most importantly, she has learned the value of hard work.

"It always pays off in the end," she says.

Visit www.cys.org. The California Youth Symphony has upcoming shows, featuring Ashley Lau as concertmaster and soloist, on Nov. 18 at the Flint Center in Cupertino and Nov. 20 at the San Mateo Center for the Performing Arts. The new CD is available as of Nov. 13 at all live shows and by mail order. Call 650.325.6666 or email info@cys.org for concert tickets or CD orders.