returning to in-person learning!

While it’s still a ways off, I am hopeful to return to in-person lessons in August. I’ll continue to monitor covid numbers, and I’ll talk with current students to determine what safety measures will make everyone feel most comfortable. Young children won’t yet be eligible for the vaccine, so I imagine masks will be necessary for at least a while longer.

It’s been quite a year! I thank all my students and parents for being flexible while we’ve moved our lessons online. I know I’ve had to work through some frustrating days, and I’m sure you have as well. I thank you for your patience through glitchy internet days, interruptions from siblings, interruptions from our toddler, and generally making the most of a challenging situation. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone, and hearing everyone play in person again!

chamber music with ICA

I'm playing some really beautiful chamber music with International Chamber Artists the next couple weeks. We're playing Dvorak's "American" quartet, and an arrangement of the Grieg piano concerto for 7 strings and piano. There are two chances to hear us play, hope you can make it!

viola recital

I have a recital upcoming, lots of fun and beautiful viola music including the Chicago premiere of duet by Sixto Franco. Hope you can make it!

practice time!

I just came across this video and thought I would share, it has some good info (or reminders) on how to practice well. I especially like this bit: "coordination is built with repetitions, whether correct or incorrect." Go slow and do it right!

Sharing Notes

Last weekend I volunteered for a local organization called Sharing Notes that provides live music performances at a couple hospitals and children's hospitals in the area. I played on a cardiac care unit at Northwestern Hospital. It was a neat experience, not only were patients happy to hear music, but I think they were also really happy to have the chance to talk and engage with someone. I can only imagine that the ICU is a pretty quiet and lonely place, with not much to distract from the beeping machines. It felt good to play for people that were so appreciative

Residency on the Farm

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Last week I participated in an artist residency on a farm in rural Wisconsin. The residency is organized by a friend of mine who is working to make it an annual retreat for writers, artists, musicians, poets, etc, to get together for a week and not only focus on their respective projects, but also talk, learn, and hopefully be inspired by one another.

It was such a great week! I went in just hoping to get a lot of practicing done without my regular everyday distractions, but I was surprised by how much more I got out of it. I was the only musician there, but talking with the others about our projects, goals, and challenges brought a lot of good discussion and questions to consider. My tendency is too get hyper-focused on technical aspects of playing viola. Playing in tune is, of course, important, but this was a nice reminder to keep a clear picture of the bigger form of the piece, and what I want to get across. I'm sure I've heard this before, but I think the writers I was with had a different way to talk and think about it. 

It was also refreshing to have a week away from phones/computers/screens. The farm is outside of Argyle, WI, and there was no phone or internet service. I could check my messages if I was willing to ride my bicycle up a giant hill about a mile from the farm. It felt good to have to work for it, instead of just pulling my phone out of my pocket 20 times a day. 

That part of Wisconsin is quiet and peaceful. My work space was a corner of the barn, and when I wasn't paying all I could hear were birds and insects (which are surprisingly loud!). Our meals were prepared by a local CSA farmer and were incredible! Highlights were goat curry, lamb moussaka, lots of delicious salads from her garden, and tasty local cheeses. It was a great way to finish up the summer!

My main project for the week was to work on a viola recital program I have planned for the fall, check back here for more details. Also, let me know if you're interested in participating in this residency next summer and I'll put you in touch with the organizers.

my practice space

Residents, some guarding against the mosquitos

Oscar and Monica

barn dance for Kat

Morton Grove Farmers Market, tomorrow!

I will be performing with some of my violin students at the Morton Grove farmers market tomorrow at 10:30am. It's located at 6210 W Dempster in Morton Grove. More information here. We have lots of fun and beautiful music planned; stop by and listen if you're in the neighborhood!

August 18 Violin/Viola Recital

Everyone is invited to a recital I am performing on Thursday August 18 in Lincoln Square. Pianist Chris Narloch hosts concerts throughout the summer at his piano studio, you can see his full schedule at narlochpiano.com. Chris' studio is located at 4636 N Francisco. I was happy to learn that Chris organizes these neighborhood concerts. The studio is in a little strip of storefronts just around the corner from the Francisco brown line, I hope he's able to generate interest in the neighborhood. It's a cozy space and I'm looking forward to playing there!

I'll be playing two pieces that I've wanted to study for quite a while: Infanta Marina by American composer Vincent Persichetti, and a beautiful viola duet by English composer (and violist!) Frank Bridge. Plus, I'll revisit one of my favorite viola pieces, Lachrymae, by Benjamin Britten. That's my half of the program, the other half will feature violinist Rachel Brown. I believe suggested donation is $10. Let me know if you have any questions, hope to see you there!