January 2008

Reflections on 2007/Violinistic Resolutions for 2008....

January 3, 2008 16:27

I'd venture to say that 2007 was one of my top 2 or 3 musically fulfilling years. Here are some of the highlights:

-I had a great senior recital at SU: Khachaturian, Bach, and Beethoven... I had an even better party afterwards!

-I graduated (with honors I might add) from SU, which just felt great. Ordinarily, I think that ceremonies for graduation and stuff are kind of lame, but this one was special to me because my 4 years of college really helped shape who I am, both as a musician and (more importantly, I think) as a person.

-I spent the summer living the life of a musician. I didn't get a traditional 9-5 job; I played lots of concerts and gigs, and in July I taught chamber music and was a camp counselor a Performing Arts Camp. Working with the kids was so great, and it really solidified in my mind that teaching and working with young musicians is something I want to continue for the rest of my life.

-I started my Master's degree at the University of Maryland, and it gave me a REAL wake up call. I went from being a senior at SU to being the proverbial "small fish in a big pond" at UMD. There are some HOT players here. Plus, my teacher here is just as (if not more) hardcore as my teacher at SU. As soon as I started lessons, I was working on enough rep to have a recital ready by December. I think I've grown leaps and bounds since I've been here at UMD, and I can only hope that my artistic development continues.

-I started teaching a LOT beginning in August. I have around 10 students now, and each one of them is not only a joy to teach, but an inspiration to me. Not to sound too cliche, but I really feel blessed to be able to share what I've learned with young people who I feel really look up to me.

In no particular order, here's what I'd like to accomplish in 2008:

-Learn some alternative styles on the violin! I'd love to be able to have a reasonably decent repertoire of fiddle tunes in my repertoire, and it would be so awesome to play some jazz, rock, and bluegrass. I also have students who are interested in playing some fiddle music, and while I'm happy to give teach them, I think it would be great if I had some really solid fiddlin' chops.

-Continue to teach, and possibly get some more students.

-Figure out what I want to play on my Master's recital (this isn't so much a resolution as it is a necessity!)

-Figure out what I want to do after i finish this degree (go for a DMA? an Artist Diploma? a chamber music certificate? try and freelance/teach to make a living? get certified to teach in public schools? or maybe just win a job with the NY Phil.... ha!)

-And finally, to make some headway in becoming the musician that I want to be.

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