Identity, Injury, and Rewriting a Musician's story with Janet Orenstein: Creative Strings Podcast Ep. 29

April 16, 2018, 12:10 PM · Imagine, as a musician, if you lost the ability to use your hands.

How would you recover? How would you find fulfillment, and what would replace the void in your self image?

If you’re like most musicians, your craft is a big part of your identity, and even self worth.

A debilitating injury would clearly be devastating for most of us. But what might you learn about yourself in the aftermath, and is it possible to somehow come out better for it?

Many of us have suffered some kind of injury. We’ve worried, even maybe had nightmares about, or certainly had close calls with serious injuries.

Juilliard-trained concert violinist Janet Orenstein was suddenly faced with an injury in 1996 that would forever limit her ability to use her hands to play the violin. Her story is simultaneously fascinating, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and uplifting.

Janet Orenstein.

On this episode of the Creative Strings Podcast she shares what she learned from the 20-year process of coming back from focal dystonia including:

How she found comfort in motherhood, yoga, and teaching
How and why the onset occurred during a concert tour abroad
Why she hid her injury from almost everyone for 20 years
How it changed her view of teaching, practicing, music, her own values and identity

I met Janet when I gave improvisation workshops at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. String players are invited to attend a wonderful summer program there this July 8-15 to study with Janet’s mentor, the incredible classical player and pedagogue Ida Bieler, and/or during the following week to study creative string playing with me. Learn more here.

Thanks so much to our sponsors Yamaha and Electric Violin Shop for supporting the Creative Strings Podcast. Their support makes it possible to invest in the production of each episode and bring you great stories like Janet’s.

As you know, it's time to plan for summer! Learn more about the upcoming Creative Strings Workshops in Dallas, Toronto, Columbus, and Asheville.

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Replies

Peter Chang

April 17, 2018 at 02:43 PM · Thank you for this podcast! I am an adult returner studying with Janet in her home studio. She briefly mentioned her condition during class but not as detailed as your interview. She is an amazing teacher!

98.117.198.246

April 17, 2018 at 11:25 PM · I wish all to know I had overcome my dystonia many years ago and have helped many others with a nutritional program. Please check out my website and then call me at 410-486-2525. wwww.dystoniahealthadvocate.com.

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