Of Violin and Other Things...
Music exploded into my life when I was 8 years old, and I have not looked back. A chance opportunity to take a Suzuki Violin class, and the world changed.
From that one experience, I developed a love of music, and a fascination for all instruments and types of music. In playing the violin, it was natural to experience fiddle music. Another new love was born.
By age 10 forward, my world was divided into two musical spheres... Classical music and Traditional tunes. While all my training and formal education has focussed on the classical, I passionately love fiddle music. I am blessed to have had the time and opportunity to pursue skill in both areas.
As a lifelong homeschooler, I was able to have opportunities many do not have... opportunities to pursue multiple passions and goals. While classical music remains my academic focus and my main career, traditional music remains a passionate hobby. Performance has been, and continues to be, a major avenue of expression. And my creative side values my time spent in many hours of creative writing of novels, and jewelry making.
My classical training began at age 8, with study of the Suzuki Method of violin. I studied books 1-10, and continued beyond with traditional violin lessons. I have been influenced by my teachers: Dawn Swartz, Corine Hart, Mark Schuppener, Anicka Skolova, Gabriel Bolkovsky, and Professor Daniel Foster.
I began solo public perfomances at age 10. It's been a wonderful and varied experience, and I believe every musician should try to experience it, regardless of the level of proficiency they attain. It is wonderful to share the gift of music, and it makes you a better musician. I spent eight years in Youth Orchestras (most of those as concertmaster). Playing with the Celebration Youth Orchestras and the U of M Youth Symphony was wonderful. By age 14, I was playing as a paid soloist or small group performer at weddings and other events. By playing (as a paid performer) in the pit orchestra at many musicals, I gained much skill and reaped much benefit, enjoying the experience immensely. I also have often volunteered my time at day cares and other youth groups, to introduce classical music to young people.
When I was 13, something surprising happened. After two years of being asked to teach violin lessons, I decided to give it a try. (As a homeschooler, you are around people who are more accepting of young people as teachers... so much so that parents really pursue you!) :-) I had no idea the tremendous joy this would bring to my life. I love to teach! I love it so much that I have decided that this is my career goal.... to support myself through teaching of music. So, I have been teaching violin (and other instruments) since age 13, and I continue to maintain a small studio of students of all ages.
Meanwhile, as they say.... my traditional music involvement did not stop because I was so heavily involved in classical music. On the contrary, it skyrocketed. I began to play fiddle at dances when I was 10, and got heavily involved in the traditional music community. Regularly performing at events and festivals, my repertoire of fiddle tunes grew steadily. I was able to compete in the Michigan State Championship Old Time Fiddler's Contest, and won first place in 2007, 2008, and 2010 (rules require you 'retire' after three wins). I continue to play at dances and festivals, and to share this music however I can.
Traditional music did more than inspire me, it inspired my entire family. My brother began to study guitar, as did my father, and my mother began to learn to play the bass. When my cousin moved to Michigan in 2007, we began to play as a family band. That experience has given me many things.... opportunities to play in front of thousands at festivals, and the love and support of a wonderful community of people. In response to this, I was able to record four CDs. Each one was an incredible experience.
While violin has always been, and continues to be, my primary instrument, I enjoy playing many others. Piano has been important to me for almost as long as violin, and I studied for 7 years with teacher Laureen Chambors. I have continued my piano study at college, and was offered the opportunity to become a piano major (alas, not enough time). I have also formally studied cello under Professor Nathan Jasinski, and have performed on that many times. I am self-taught on flute, and have performed in flute choirs for many years (I personally prefer to play the alto flute, but do play both alto and concert flutes). I enjoy viola as well. Traditional instruments also fascinate me. For many years, I have played, performed and taught lessons on the hammered dulcimer. I also play mandolin, tenor banjo, mountain dulcimer, penny whistle, and a few others.
Currently, I am a student at Eastern Michigan University, studying violin performance. My summers are divided between teaching, improving my teaching credentials (By the end of summer, 2012, I will have completed Suzuki Teacher Training through Book 3), and playing traditional music at festival and events. During the 'school year', I perform with the Eastern Michigan University Orchestra, the Michigan Philharmonic, the Orchard Lake Philharmonic Society (as concertmaster), and I mentor students (and perform as a mentor in concerts with) the Michigan Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. I maintain a small studio of violin and hammered dulcimer students year-round.
While music is my passion, I still make room for other things. I am an avid writer of fiction... I love to create jewelry... I am passionate about cat rescue and animal welfare... and I am working hard at my own fitness. No matter how much I love music, I still try to balance it it my life. You will never hear me, as a teacher, tell a student to give up all else to pursue their music.... unless that is what THEY truly want.
I welcome the opportunity to perform or teach. Music is meant to be shared. Please feel free to contact me. I love to talk about all of this. Tell me about your goals, your dreams.... or even you pets! :-) I want to help you be happy with yourself and your music.