If you’ve heard of senior Diego Scholze, you probably recognize his name from Poly basketball announcements or Athletics Instagram posts, but Scholze’s artistic talents deserve just as much recognition. From drawing Paw Print graphics to playing jazz on the piano, Scholze has explored myriad art forms since he was four years old, when he first took an interest in music and visual arts.
As a visual artist, Scholze loves mixing different media, like pastels and colored pencils. He uses these combinations alongside symbolism and medical records to tell stories about his life, expressing his emotions and physiological experiences. However, Scholze views his art not just as a vehicle for personal expression but also as a way to give to others. He shared, “I’ve done a couple commissions for friends, family, and even some Poly teachers. I also love doing art as gifts for people, whether it’s a birthday present or just for fun.”
When Scholze began learning how to play the piano at four, his mother had pushed him into weekly lessons. He started art classes at the same time, learning about different media and using them to depict his favorite things, like Star Wars. Despite his frustrations with the piano due to his young age and impatience, Scholze persevered in hopes of creating music like that of the pianists Chopin, Beethoven, and Clementi, whom he admired, and of showcasing his talents in recitals. He commented, “When it came to perform[ing] in front of a live audience or judge, even though I was nervous, I always loved showing what I had learned.”
In ninth grade, Scholze stopped taking his art classes outside of Poly in order to focus more on high school responsibilities, but he continued to further his artistic skills through Poly classes, including the Studio Art Fundamentals class, Digital Art and Drawing electives, and AP Art. His increased independence in high school also led him to explore his arts in more personal and meaningful ways. For example, Scholze sells and collects Funko Pops, popular vinyl figurines and bobbleheads, which he occasionally draws on.
Scholze also continued to progress his musical skills. Upon completing all 10 levels of the Certification of Merit in classical piano as a sophomore, Scholze transitioned to study other styles, such as jazz and pop. In 10th grade, Scholze took Middle and Upper School Performing Arts teacher Eric Lifland’s Music Theory class, in which Lifland provided Scholze with AP-level material and also offered him vocal training.
Scholze continues to practice singing with family and friends, both at home and, eventually, he joined Poly’s Vocal Ensemble after extensive convincing by Lifland. Scholze explained, “When I was struggling with the recovery from open heart surgery, Mr. Lifland offered me voice lessons and suggested I join Poly’s Vocal Ensemble for the rest of the year.” The Vocal Ensemble provided Scholze with support and encouragement, helping him along his recovery journey from open-heart surgery in 10th grade. He mentioned, “I was super hesitant, and didn’t give in for weeks, but I finally caved, and it was one of the best decisions I had ever made. I was welcomed into one of the most supportive and building spaces at Poly.”
In balancing his artistic, athletic and academic commitments, Scholze learned from Visual Arts Department Chair Arnor Bieltvedt the importance of organization in managing his workload. Scholze wakes up at 6:00 am every morning, plans his week in advance, completes homework and studies for tests during his free periods, and keeps his desk tidy to ensure optimal working conditions. These examples of Scholze’s discipline substantiate Bielveldt’s compliments on Scholze’s motivation and resilience. Bielveldt commented, “He has this kind of discipline…With sports injuries or health issues, he is able to do something productive with that, and he looks at it as an opportunity to grow as a person.”
One of Scholze’s favorite Poly arts experiences was his first Cabaret Night. Scholze fondly recalled the adrenaline-inducing vocal performance: “Although I joined late and only could do one performance with them, I am extremely grateful for all their support they gave me during that time; it definitely made my recovery faster and more bearable.”
Another meaningful achievement was creating his “First Steps” piece. Scholze shared, “The mixed-media piece depicts my first moments of recovery after open-heart surgery. It shows a small figure walking across hospital records representing the overwhelming journey of healing.”
Scholze cites the support of the Poly community, specifically Bielveldt, his art teacher since middle school, as the source of his inspiration. Bielveldt, in turn, also credits Scholze in giving back to the community. He explained, “He just adds a lot of positivity in general to the art program…He’s a very important member of the community here.”
Scholze also admires the works of René Magritte, a Belgian surrealist artist who challenges viewers’ perceptions of reality through secondary meanings. As Scholze enters college, he hopes to study art history while pursuing a biology major that will hopefully lead to an anesthesiology career.
He shared, “My hope is that when I have a family in the future, that we can all sit down around the piano, and I can play and my children will sing and play along with me.”
