Musical artist Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show was one of the most anticipated parts of the Big Game, and SFCM was there to play. 

Violinist Rose Crelli performed with halftime headliner Bad Bunny during Super Bowl LX's eagerly awaited show. Crelli can be seen prominently dressed in a black tux and bow tie as the singer moves and performs down a line of classical musicians. 

Crelli seen on the jumbotron during the halftime performance.

"It was so much fun!" Crelli said. "Bad Bunny was there at our first rehearsal with the orchestra, and we made eye contact. I smiled at him, and he definitely smiled back, and I'll forever remember that moment! He was also such a kind and gracious performer, and made a point to thank all of us the evening of the dress rehearsal, through our in-ear monitors, and then again in person after the half-time show backstage."

Bad Bunny's celebrated Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday was one of the biggest productions at the historic event anyone has ever been part of and the first all-Spanish performance, with an estimated audience of more than 125 million.

Rose Crelli.

"It was such a diverse cast of performers," Crelli added. "I felt like it truly highlighted and reflected the diversity of heritage and culture that we have in America."

For Crelli, this performance marks another achievement  in her incredible journey. Abandoned by her birth parents in China, Crelli was adopted by an Alaskan family and honed her violin skills at her family's remote home in Dawson City, driving up to eight hours to Fairbanks for lessons. Her talent brought her to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she began carving out a thriving career as one of San Francisco's most visible performing violinists. 

Rose and her older brother growing up in rural Alaska.

While at SFCM, Crelli, who graduated in 2022, studied with faculty Simon James, who was thrilled to see his former student on a global stage. "Rose Crelli is a true musical entrepreneur," James said. "She has set her own career path and continues to wow audiences big and small with her energy and charisma. She is a force of nature, entertainer, artist, and I am so proud of her achievements."

Crelli wasn't the only SFCM face at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. A group of 16 musicians from SFCM performed in the pre-show performance with rock group Green Day, organized through Hire SFCM.

Crelli said she first received an email in December, asking if she was available on February 8 for a potential halftime show performance opportunity. After booking the performance, she had to keep it a secret, even signing a non-disclosure agreement.

The SFCM Super Bowl ensemble.

Crelli is no stranger to big performance stages, having played the national anthem for the Golden State Warriors, Golden State Valkyries, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Bay FC, Bay Area Panthers and UC Berkeley Bears.

For Crelli this performance was an "emotional and proud moment for everyone." However, one of her favorite parts was the comedic relief that all the people dressed in the 50-pound. bush costumes provided: "They shed their fronds and leaves a lot, and it was so funny."

Crelli at Super Bowl LX.

Another favorite moment was a surprise at the dress rehearsal that she did not see coming. "I remember looking back over my shoulder and thinking, 'Wow, that lady looks a lot like Lady Gaga, then doing a complete double-take and realizing it was actually her!" The famous singer performed "Die With a Smile," her hit duet with Bruno Mars, in a salsa-style solo rendition.

In the end, Crelli is thrilled with the platform that this gave not just her, but every musician on the field. "For every singular, public moment of success as performers, there's just as many, if not more, private behind-the-scenes moments of self-doubt and overcoming challenges," she said. "Getting the opportunity to be part of one of the highest-watched halftime shows in Super Bowl history is surreal. I've received so many messages from parents whose children are just starting string instruments, and who were so excited to see real string musicians featured in the halftime show."

Learn more about studying violin at SFCM.