6 degrees of Separation (or less)

April 28, 2023, 12:19 AM · 6 degrees of separation or less.

My BFF is a family friend of my first private viola instructor Barb . Barb was the instructor of my BFF’s younger sister’s violin teacher, Floy. Floy was the one who reconnected me with Barb after many decades. Sadly Floy passed away not long ago.

A few years ago, after reconnecting with Barb with Floy’s help, Barb joined me at music camp at Interlochen Adult Chamber Music Camp. It was the first time we saw each other since I was a student of hers as a child in the early 1980’s. I had the incredible opportunity to make some amazing music with her (Schoenberg!) and with the teacher I had later in life in the early 2000’s living in Oregon decades later. (video below with Joël Belgique)

I repeat this video often on my Facebook page. I do so because it was the highlight of my musical life. How often does one have to make music with two teachers, one from your childhood and the other as an adult, and from a living composer who gave insight on this piece and has this video on his website?

Best day of my life. And it all started on in 1976-ish when my name was last on the list to choose an instrument and all the violins were taken, and I walked home with a viola.

https://youtu.be/D1TZh6V8ZEY