Catherine Chiocchi
Arts Editor
When did you start playing the violin?
I actually started playing the piano at age four, and I continued with that for ten years. I started playing the violin in third grade to help with my piano training, but I felt more free with the violin. The piano is mainly a solo instrument, but you can play the violin with other people in quartets, groups, or orchestras. I liked the opportunity to play with other musicians.
What are your practices like? Do you play in any selective orchestras?
Since I’m a junior, I’m trying to focus on academics this year. Last year, however, I used to practice two to three hours each night and then six hours a day on the weekends with my teacher. My practice schedule is not as consistent now, but when I do practice it’s for a long time. I used to play in the Norwalk Youth Symphony and I’ve participated in the Western Regionals and All-State Orchestras.
Who is your teacher and how has she inspired you?
My teacher is Asya Meshburg. She’s very intense and very strict, so I really want to do well in each lesson. I’ve been studying with her for about three years now. She gets the best out of me and she cares a lot. She really wants to see her students do well.
What is your favorite part of performing? Do you have any performances that were particularly memorable?
Actually, my favorite part of performing is auditioning because the people need to watch you. It’s the one time you don’t need to be humble – you’re free to show off. Performing is exhilarating, though. You know when you’re going to have a good concert when you look down and you’re shaking. If you don’t get nervous beforehand, once you get on stage the shock of being in front of an audience will throw you off, so I find nerves a good thing. The first time I performed the Mendelssohn Concerto, I remember I was literally praying in my head Don’t mess up! Don’t mess up! Don’t mess up! When I thought I had gotten through all the hard parts I had a complete memory slip. In a situation like that, you can give up and run off the stage crying, but I stood there, nodded to the pianist to start from that spot again, and kept going. After the performance, I was devastated that I messed up but it was still a good learning experience. I told myself that at the next performance it needs to be ten times better.
Who is your favorite composer?
My favorite composer would have to be Dvorak. He came to America when it was still a young country and he loved the Native Americans and, really, everything about America. He wrote the American Quartet, and I’ve played first violin in that piece. It’s my favorite quartet.
