University of Alaska Fairbanks alumna Rose Crelli was at the Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco on Sunday for the Super Bowl, but not the game: she was one of around 20 violinists who appeared in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.
“Even on the first day of rehearsal, we could sense how much thoughtfulness and intention and each decision it felt like had a very beautiful, artistic intention behind it,” Crelli said. “We could just sense the energy and the positive message that was being expressed throughout the entire performance.”
She currently lives in the Bay Area as a violinist, and is no stranger to halftime performances. She has played violin at WNBA Valkyries, NBA Golden State Warriors, MLB San Francisco Giants, and NWSL Bay FC sports games.
In early December, the musician received an email inquiring about her availability for Feb. 8, a potential halftime show performance. She sent in headshots and wardrobe measurements, and received official confirmation she was going to be in the show by the end of the month after being approved by three different committees.
Crelli spent the first eight months of her life at a Chinese orphanage before she was adopted by her family in Alaska. She grew up in Fairbanks, with no running water or electricity. At age 6, Crelli and her family immigrated to Dawson City, Canada.
Crelli says her mom would drive her and her brother as far as Fairbanks or Whitehorse for violin lessons — a minimum seven-hour drive one-way and up to a three day drive during the winter.
“My brother and I would have violin lessons over the telephone, where she would hold up the phone so our violin teacher could hear us play, and then she would hold up the phone to our ear so we could hear the feedback from the teacher,” Crelli said. “We didn’t have internet, and this was before Skype and all that stuff. I definitely credit my being a musician to my mom’s dedication.”
The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl has allowed Crelli to reflect on all the different communities she is a part of. Since Sunday, she’s had folks from the Asian American community reach out, people in the foster care and adoption community and even UAF faculty.
“I feel like I represent Americans, Canadians, Asian Americans, [and] adoptees,” she said. “It’s previously been kind of a struggle for me, because I feel like I have so many different identities within myself. I’ve never really known which one to really tag on to and identify with. But after this experience, it’s been so beautiful to see that I can represent all of these different communities and, like, bring them up with me simultaneously.”
Bad Bunny came in at the dress rehearsal and after the Super Bowl performance to thank the 300+ dancers and nearly 400 extras in costume.
“I really respect how Bad Bunny has been very vocal about speaking up for his beliefs and his values and what he thinks is right, and using his platform to spread a positive message,” the violinist said. “I just think that he’s being a wonderful role model for all musicians and artists to not be afraid to use their voice and speak up for their values.”
Crelli has also had plenty of parents sharing stories with her about how excited their kids were to see violinists at the Super Bowl half time show, and encourages young musicians to keep practicing.
“Music will change your life,” she said. “If you’re getting bullied, or if you feel like playing music isn’t cool, or you’re getting made fun of for being a musician — just ignore that, and someday, you will be performing at the Super Bowl — glad that you didn’t quit.”
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
