Little did I know this sweet gem of a violin teacher was hiding among my Instagram followers! A few months back I shared on my Instagram stories that I was looking for violinists to feature as a guest on the Vibrant Violin blog. I’m so glad Amanda responded eagerly! Okay, maybe she wasn’t hiding on purpose, but I’m so glad to know her violin story now. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Video Introduction
How are you currently active as a musician?
I am currently a violin, piano, and cello teacher at a local performing arts school, and I am also a music/group violin teacher at a private school in my area. I started a beginning string orchestra with a fellow music teacher two years ago and it is still up and running! We have weekly rehearsals and bi annual performances at rehabilitation centers. Besides teaching, I actively participate in string ensembles and chamber orchestras and perform at wedding and special event gigs. I recently was asked to substitute in a professional orchestra, and I hope to have more opportunities to do so in the future! I also enjoy sharing my music with the residents at local nursing and rehabilitation centers. Before I decided to focus on teaching, I wanted to be a music therapist. Seeing the residents come alive as they listen to the music is a huge blessing for me. It reminds me of one of the many reasons I play my instruments: to share the joy of music with those who cannot make music for themselves.
What inspired you to begin your violin journey? What inspires you now?
I think what mainly inspired me to begin growing as a musician was being surrounded by friends that shared the same love for music. I would listen and watch in awe as they played their pieces and played together in orchestra, and it motivated me to work harder so I could join them. Eight years later, this still inspires me. I leave ensemble rehearsals rejuvenated and ready to take on another week of practicing and teaching. Collaborating with other musicians helps me gain knowledge and gives me a different perspective on concepts I am currently working on. I can receive insight on pieces that others have already struggled through and conquered. I encourage my students to connect with other musicians, whether it be joining an orchestra or being part of an online group. I think finding a community of encouraging likeminded musicians is critical especially in the early stages of learning an instrument. Instagram seems to have a wonderful online musical community that is very supportive, and I plan on joining this community soon by starting my own practice account. I also acquire inspiration from my students. They make me want be the best educator and musician I can possibly be. On days when my motivation to practice is low, their passion and drive inspire me to pick up my violin and remember the joy playing brings to me as well!
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your violin journey, how did you overcome it and what have you learned from it?
My biggest challenge has been playing from memory! I memorize pieces pretty easily, but I used to be terrified of performing them with no sheet music. I had countless recital mishaps in which I would begin playing, unconsciously start playing from memory, suddenly have a memory slip, then frantically look for my place in the sheet music in vain. It would always be a disaster and I would leave my performances feeling defeated. This continued until I started college. My professor challenged me to learn Bach’s Sarabande from Partita in D minor and perform it from memory in one week for studio. I connected with this piece and therefore was very motivated to practice and soon memorized it. But when the day of the performance arrived, I went into full panic mode and began to doubt myself. Thankfully, I had listened to a podcast earlier that week on mental practice and decided to give it a try. I closed my eyes and started “playing” my imaginary violin, envisioning the notes and going through my mental checklist while I air-bowed. I was able to spot a couple of memory slips and worked through them until I was able to mentally play my entire piece. The actual performance consisted of a very shaky bow and my shoulder rest almost falling off, but I didn’t have one memory slip! For the first time, I felt proud of myself walking off stage. Fast forward to today, I now incorporate mental practice into my pre-performance regimen and I now look forward to playing from memory. I am able to focus on sharing a story through the music and releasing my emotions into the audience. Even when I make mistakes, I am still proud of myself because I conquer one of my biggest fears each time I leave my sheet music behind.
How has the violin influenced other areas of your life? What traits did you learn as a musician that help you with the rest of life?
There is not a day that goes by that I am not carrying my violin on my shoulder, so therefore violin has influenced every aspect of my life! Violin has taught me patience. With every new skill in life, it takes time to develop and blossom into something beautiful. Sometimes we get tired of waiting for a flower to bloom and stop watering it. Being a perfectionist, I have tended to abandon a task if I do not feel confident in my abilities to complete it. Violin has taught me to do the opposite. Instead of giving up as soon as I have failed at something, I trust the process and have faith that I will succeed as long as I keep working at it. This mindset has helped me so much, especially in keeping up with general college classes. Violin has taught me time management as well, although it is a skill I am still trying to balance. Juggling technique and repertoire practice, student lesson planning, and college homework has proven difficult these last three years. Mapping out practice plans for my violin assignments has transferred into scheduling my everyday life. When I do follow my schedules, my days are more productive and successful! There are many other things that violin has made an impact on my everyday life, but I think patience and time management are the most important lessons I have learned so far.
What would you say to someone thinking about learning to play the violin?
Do it! It is never too late to start your musical journey. Just remember that the saying “patience is a virtue” is particularly true for the violin. There are times that you will become frustrated with your learning pace, especially if you are starting later in life. You will see videos of young children playing extremely difficult pieces, and while it can be inspiring it can also be discouraging. You will feel like you will never be able to achieve that level of playing. However, try to steer clear of these thoughts. Anything is possible with practice and passion! In those moments of discouragement and frustration, remember the joy that music brings to your life and the joy you can bring to others’ lives through your playing. Learning to play the violin is a crazy ride but the results are worth every hour of practice that you put in!
Anything is possible with practice and passion….I love this! <3
Yes! Such a true statement. I’m glad you enjoyed reading Amanda’s story Shino!!
This is great. She actually reminds me of myself many years ago. While getting my master’s degree in string pedagogy and the 2 years after, I created and taught a violin program in one of the poorest counties of NC….our aim was to make violin accessible to everyone, regardless of income. It was a wonderful experience, and was so rewarding to bring violin to these lower income kids.
I love that Jill! I hate for anyone not to be able to learn music simply for money reasons. I didn’t know you had a masters in pedagogy! How wonderful…I should pick your brain on some things. ??