WHERE SHE'S BEEN: The Kentucky-born Hahn took her first violin lessons in Baltimore. She was three. At the age of ten she was admitted to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Since then her career has skyrocketed and she's performed all over the world. A recent concert tour took her to Poland, Germany, Switzerland, and across the U.S.

WHERE SHE'S GOING: Back to Europe for more concerts before graduating from the Curtis Institute. Then a six-week concert tour of Australia, two weeks at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and yet another musical expedition around the U.S. Whew!

WHY SHE DOES WHAT SHE DOES: "Performing for audiences, interacting with other musicians, and visiting classrooms to talk with and play for kids -- that's probably what motivates me the most." You mean she doesn't just live to practice? "Well, my first teacher always said: 'You only have to practice on the days that you eat!'"

MAJOR INFLUENCES: At the top of the list are her teachers, Klara Berkovich and Jascha Brodsky. Then there are those recordings by great violinists of the past such as Mischa Elman, Fritz Kreisler, Nathan Milstein, Jascha Heifetz, and Arthur Grumiaux.

WHAT SHE'S DOING WHEN SHE'S NOT PLAYING THE VIOLIN: Writing letters, postcards, and poetry. Working out at the gym, swimming, bicycling, taking ballet classes, bowling, and going to the movies. "I'm also learning languages. I've been studying German for seven years now, and I'm just starting to learn some French." She also finds time to bake cookies.