Comments

I'm glad you did this interview. The story of starting at 14, teaching yourself, and a year later being offered a full scholarship to the best school, and the best teacher, on the other side of the world, has been unfathomable to me since I first heard it. What should be gleaned from the story? The cynic in me says somebody just knew somebody. To the idealist in me it says a lot less may be inconceivable than we think, and asks what do we pass up because of preconceptions and how do we sell ourselves short. They're opposing thoughts and it's important to get the right message from this. I think the truth has to be somewhere in the middle. What was the mechanism by which Juilliard initially heard of you? Hi, Jim, The way I understand it is that when Joey was 15 he won a competition in Manilla and came to the attention of Edgar Schenkman, a conductor who taught at Juilliard and happened to be touring the Phillipines at that time. It was Mr. Schenkman who offered him the full scholarship. But I'll check with Joey when I see him on Thursday...or maybe he will read this and tell us himself. --Caeli Hi Caeli and Jim,
I just saw the interview posted.
I don't know if Schenkman taught at Juilliard. I think he conducted the orchestra there for a while and was a friend of Dorothy Delay. Schenkman, along with his violinist wife, Marguerite Quarles Schenkman, were in Manila to give a duo concert and a masterclass. (He played viola.) My cousins, brother and I played together as a piano quartet at that time, and that's when he heard me.

Joey

Joey sounds like a very inspiring teacher. Thanks for telling us about him. Joey--you inspire me--thank you...

My first experience with music, was when a blind girl taught me several simple songs on piano and the rest was history. Her mother babysat me at around five, and her daughter is someone I shall love forever for the things we share. Not the least of which is a keen awareness of the power of music, and that the rules though important are somewhat flexible; and, that there are several types of intelligence--a fact underwritten throughout my life in reading about IQ/EQ/and others.

I will add you to my list of greats--not because of your disability, but because you deserve it!. You rock.

Wow! Nice interview, Caeli, and well presented. Thanks for bringing this inspiring story to our attention. "as a kid I'd taken piano lessons. After a year my teacher told my father to save his money. She said I had no musical talent whatsoever! So when I expressed an interest in playing the violin my father assumed it was just a short-lived whim. I was very excited to finally get to play the violin.
" ...

That is exactly what happened to me - well, the teacher didn't say I didn't have talent, she truthfully said I didn't practice, so my parents didn't let me take violin lessons until I'd been playing for several years in school (group class, then orchestra). It's inspiring to know that Joey was able to accomplish so much in a similar situation!

Caeli,

Once again, a great interview!

Joey, it was wonderful to see your picture after all these years! You look great. Congratulations on your very meaningful work. You deserve great things.

Caeli, ye this was a great interview (you seem to have a knack for interviewing people). Joey, your story is inspriational to all of us, as we all face one obstacle or another as we seek to better know the violin. Personally, I have often suffered from the thought of being a 38 year-old adult beginner who has just discovered something very special in the violin, and has become so desperately in love with the violin, with the music, and am left feeling so desperately in need of developing the skill required of one wishing to bring to bear a fullness of expression. Yet others who do not even know me would often say that I should not expect much, seeing how I have only as of late discovered this treasure that is the violin. Thankfully, my teacher does not and has not thought the same, or suggested the same. Heck, she even tells me that I might one day rise to the level of a professional, given an unwavering, dedicated heart. And, your story, while different in many details, tells the same. Given an unwavering and dedicated heart, much can be accomplished, much indeed (and, of course, this applies to a great deal more than the violin).

Thank you both.

Thank you all for your very kind comments! I have to say that is a real joy for me to work with Caeli. She is not only a very gifted violinist, but has many other talents as well. It was a privilege to be interviewed by her.

David,
It has been many, many years! It is nice to see your reputation reach beyond these shores. I wish you continued success.
If you're ever town let me know. Maybe we can get together.

Joey