Alma maters: Manhattan School of Music; Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; Hochschule der Kunste, Zurich
Photo credit
Appearances
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Gingold Chamber Music Festival
What is your earliest memory of classical music?
Performances of Peter and the Wolf
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
I recently studied with Lawrence Power in Switzerland and what made him stand out was that for him, technique and expression were not worked on separately, rather he showed how technique creates expression. Additionally, he would always say “Everything is a spring” in terms of the instrument and the performer.
What made you decide to become a musician? Was there a particular performance or person that influenced your decision?
The fact that artistic expression is an avenue towards emotional and spiritual liberation has always been what drew me to being a musician.
How did you hear about TŌN? What inspired you to apply?
I was drawn to the spotlight being on rare and obscure repertoire. It can be comforting and safe to play the same repertoire every year, but it is much more exciting to look at a new score to learn from and to use it to create new experiences.
How would you like to see orchestra concerts evolve in the future?
I would have the audience and artists be on equal footing to take part in a dialogue about the repertoire. Bringing the audience to the stage, maximizing the take-away for both.
What is the most memorable performance you ever had?
Playing Mahler’s 3rd Symphony for the first time with a professional orchestra
What is your proudest achievement as a musician?
Performing in the Tonhalle in Zurich
Is there a person or people you most respect in your field and why?
Artists who push the envelope, to me, are the ones who really create something new. Every performance violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja is a part of continues to inspire me. I say the same for Lawrence Power and his Viola Commissioning Circle, which is responsible for many great additions to the repertoire.