Happy Birthday Dorothy DeLay!

March 31, 2011 at 5:00 PM

People are celebrating the great violin teacher Dorothy DeLay, who taught so many violinists at Juilliard, and who would have been 94 today. Most particularly, Violinmasterclass.com maestro, Kurt Sassmannshaus, is making his Twitter debut by tweeting about her all this week.

He also made a video tribute to her:

As did Philippe Quint:

Happy Birthday Dorothy DeLay!

From Jo Parker
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:49 PM

this has really inspired me :) Sassmannshaus 'Miss Delay....what is Talent?' 'Oh Honey it's just a mood!' and then Kurt saying 'whether you think you can or cannot do it you are probably right, just go and practice and think you can do it', I am full of positive thoughts now, so far for the past 4 years of my learning I have bashed my brains with NEGATIVITY 'I am so rubbish', 'I can't do it' 'Why am I fooling myself' etc etc, so much poison I have been putting in my brain (started learning at age 37, am now 41), this has really shocked me into positivity now, I am going to kick all the rubbish out of my head immediately!! Thank you Miss Delay and Kurt :)

From David Christianson
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 10:20 PM

From hearing stories and watching old interviews with Ms DeLay, she seemed like such a gentle soul. She certainly had a talent for bringing out the greatness of individuality in her students.

From Anne-Marie Proulx
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 11:15 PM

I agree within a realistic frame, one can do anything.

So inspiring, thanks!

From Rosalind Porter
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 3:01 PM

Great little reminiscences - what I find rather touching is how both Prof Sassmannhaus and Philippe Quint clutch their violins like "comfort blankets" while they speak. The instruments are almost a part of them. I know I've often done the same thing myself, or even wished I could have my violin around during a completely non-musical interview situation!

Are there any recommended videos of Miss Delay teaching? She certainly sounds like a real character, who got results from her method.

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Happy Birthday Dorothy DeLay!

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