"My favorite part about being on a stage is that everything else just disappears...it's not something I have to think about; it's something I feel."
— Gabby Dooley, Class of 2028

This summer, in just a matter of days, Gabby Dooley found herself fully immersed in two of her passions — as a musician in an international concert hall and as an actor on the local stage.

The junior Webb violinist was nominated by her music instructor, Dr. José Ottonello, auditioned and was selected to perform as part of the 2026 Honors Performance Series in London. The series featured young violinists and musicians under the direction of world-class conductors for two days of multiple rehearsals, according to her father, Ken Hamm, who accompanied Gabby to England.

"On performance day, she took the stage in front of a packed, international audience and delivered exactly what she had been selected to do — perform at the highest level," her father said.

"Performing in the Royal Festival was honestly as cool as it sounds, and I would do it over again a million times," Gabby said. "Knowing that I got to perform on a stage that has over 2,000 years of history boosted my confidence."

In addition to performing, Gabby noted that touring London "felt like walking in history." She knew familiar stories about the city that were also recounted during series-sponsored tours, "but being in the exact place where those stories happened was surreal."

Two weeks before traveling to London, Gabby, a Murfreesboro, Tenn., resident, pursued yet another passion, performing as Lorraine in the Murfreesboro Center for the Arts production of "Hairspray", a story that has been depicted in film and musical productions for decades.

Gabby's interest in the arts both as a musician and actress began at just three years old when she completed her first dance recital. It continued with a performance in a musical at age seven, and she began playing the violin at age 11. Speaking of the arts, she noted, "My passion has always been there."

As a Webb student taking multiple Advanced Placement and honors courses, as well as a volleyball and track & field athlete, Gabby also possesses other attributes and interests. "I am busy from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep with very little downtime. However, I have learned how to manage my time so that I get to do all of the things I like to do."

Gabby credits The Webb School for providing opportunities to explore multiple interests simultaneously and for enhancing her love for the arts.

"I've grown and matured as a person since I came to Webb [enrolling as a 6th grader in 2021]. I've learned how to work hard and manage my time well."

Looking ahead to college and beyond, Gabby said, "I want the arts to be a part of my future. I will always like playing the violin, and I will always like performing in musical theater."