April 30, 2005 at 7:09 PM

Today was Music Career Day at Northwestern, and it was a very inspiring experience--a welcome way to be jostled out of the bubble of school into the real professional world of the music business, if only for a few hours. The day began with a keynote speech by Glen Kwok, Executive Director of the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. His manner was completely affable and honest, and despite his realistic attitude and examples concerning the difficulties facing job-searching musicians in a small and increasingly competitive world, I came away feeling optimistic and comforted by his good-natured advice. His motto and advice for us is carpe diem--seize the day. He spoke very clearly about opportunities--recognizing them, being prepared for them, and accepting the small ones along with the big. This hit home for me as I had already made a decision in coming to Northwestern that affected the past two years of my life. And while I perhaps should have seized upon my first opportunity to go to CIM straight out of high school, I am grateful for the many experiences I've had here and the connections I've made in Chicago. It's now simply time to move forward!

After Mr. Kwok's speech, we split into panel discussions--I attended "Life Onstage: Careers in Orchestral and Operatic Performance" with Robert Hanford, Concertmaster of the Lyric Opera; Sheila Hanford, free-lance orchestral violinist; Pamela Hinchman, New York opera performer; and Jim Smelser, a Chicago Symphony horn player. They all had great practical advice, particularly to develop and maintain a healthy network of contacts, and to really approach all the ups and downs of a career with determination and perseverance.

Good news--I will be taking my laptop to the National Arts Centre Young Artists Programme in Ottawa, Canada, from June 10th to July 3rd, and should be able to update from there about my experiences with the camp this year!

Finally, in the spirit of shameless marketing--a couple tracks of my playing are available online through my high school's annual arts magazine, Renaissance, which includes an audio CD. One is a Bach movement I recorded four years ago, when I was about a freshman or sophomore in high school, and which I now find a bit too labored and Romantic. The other is the first movement of Beethoven's 7th Sonata. Tatyana Stepanova is the pianist.

Bach Partita No. 2 in D minor, I. Allemande

Beethoven Sonata No. 7 in C minor, I: Allegro con brio

April 30, 2005 at 7:09 PM

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