Preludio

June 27, 2007 at 7:54 PM

Well, after being a violinist.com member for a couple years now and really enjoying the discussions and blogs, I've finally decided to start writing a blog of my own. I suppose I might as well start by introducing myself a little. I'm 18 years old, live in Topeka, KS, and have been playing the violin since I was five. I've been homeschooled since second grade, and just graduated from high school this May. In August I'll be majoring in violin performance at the University of Kansas, studying with my current teacher, Dr. Tami Hughes. I've played in local youth orchestras and won a couple competitions, and currently teach private lessons to a few students. Obviously, I love classical music, but I also really enjoy all kinds of folk music, especially Celtic fiddling and anything by Mark O'Connor or Edgar Meyer. In spare time I like to journal, read, garden, listen to the radio, keep up with friends, and do miscellaneous crafty things like knit scarves. : )

I recently got back home from a summer music camp in Ottawa, Kansas called Sound Encounters. (For those of you that know Sydney here on v.com, we were both there together.) Over the next few days I'm going to share some of my favorite memories and things I've learned there. This was my fourth (and last) year coming to Sound Encounters, otherwise affectionately known as the "center of the universe," "heaven on earth," and simply "Ottawa." I can honestly say it one of my favorite places in the world to be, and I consider it my musical home. It's hard to describe unless you've been there in person, but Sound Encounters has an incredible atmosphere of friendship, dedication, and enthusiasm for music. All the faculty and staff are professional musicians and teachers of the highest level, but so friendly, warm, and down to earth all of us students. I've never been to a place where there are so many spontaneous moments of encouragement and acknowledgement of people's contributions — applause for a student who went out of his way to help or lead, a happy birthday sung at lunch for a faculty member, a smile or hug of encouragement from a teacher. I'm so lucky to have been able to come to this unforgettable music camp.

From Terez Mertes
Posted on June 27, 2007 at 9:17 PM

Welcome to blogdom, Ruth! And hey, go Jayhawks! I'm a Kansas City native (Prairie Village, actually) and went to KU years and years ago. Just love Lawrence to pieces.

Your descrip of Sound Encounters certainly helps underline why Sydney liked it so much and how hard it was to leave behind. Like you said, sometimes it's hard to explain a hold a place can have on someone unless you've been there. Got a place like that here in CA that I go to once a year and when I return, I feel sad for days that it's over. And no disrespect to Kansas, but I must say that when I was a teenager, it depressed the heck out of me to return to suburban Prairie Village after a great trip. But Lawrence, now, that's a different story!

From Karin Lin
Posted on June 27, 2007 at 11:01 PM

Heh...I grew up in Manhattan (where my parents still live) so my loyalties lie with rival KSU, but it's still great to have another Kansan here on V.com. (Unlike Terez, I miss Kansas and I still consider myself a Kansan even though I haven't lived there since 1991). Looking forward to reading your blog, Ruth!

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on June 27, 2007 at 11:05 PM

Welcome to the blog part of v.com. I enjoyed your first blog and look forward to your next one.

From Sydney Menees
Posted on June 27, 2007 at 11:27 PM

I agree with everything, Ruth. I'm going to miss you next year :(

From Ruth Kuefler
Posted on June 28, 2007 at 1:34 PM

Thanks for the welcome, everyone! Terez - yes, I love Lawrence too, am really excited about starting at KU. : )

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