ABOUT ME
FAMILY OF MUSICIANS
Dad performing
Dad with Henry Ford
My father was a violin prodigy in the 1930's and performed around the world. He studied with some of the most famous violinists of the time: Mishel Piastro, Louis Persinger, Jacques Thibaud and Bronislaw Huberman. Later, he performed as a soloist and chamber musician as well as did orchestral work and studio recordings. He was lucky to play on a Stradivarius violin for most of his career.
My mother was a cellist who got her start on the cello in public school. She was a gifted music teacher for 45 years (cello, piano and choir director). She performed as a chamber and orchestral musician as well as did studio recording work. Her principal teachers were Charles Baker, Gabor Reijto and George Neikrug.
In addition to classical music, both of my parents also performed and recorded with popular artists such as: Sammy Davis Jr., The Carpenters, Burt Bacharach, Neil Diamond, et al.
Mom and Sammy Davis Jr.
Mom
Violin starts at 51:52 min
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
I began with the Suzuki method at age 4, in Los Angeles. From 7 to 18,
I studied with reknowned artist teacher, Manuel Compinsky (bio), a pupil of Eugène Ysaÿe. I also trained at summer music festivals, including the acclaimed Aspen Music Festival and Santa Barbara Music Academy of the West. I spent two years at The Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland under the tutelage of Tuomas Haapanen (bio). I then came back to North America to attend university (Laval University, Quebec), where I completed three degrees: B.M and M.M in Violin Performance and a B.A. in Music Education. I studied with Gyorgy Terebesi and Darren Lowe (Concert master of Quebec Symphony).
Following university, I completed the Orchestral Training Program at the Quebec Conservatory of Music and performed with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra for two years, under Yoav Talmi. Then I served as Concert Master of the Sudbury Symphony, member of the Sudbury Symphony String Quartet and Head of the Sudbury Symphony School of Music, for three years.
I started teaching in Quebec. I completed Volumes 1-10 of Suzuki teacher training. My main mentors were Alice Joy Lewis and Pat D'Ercole. I taught for The Burlington Suzuki Association for five years and The Oakville Suzuki Association since 2008. I currently do freelance performing, including local groups such as The Oakville Chamber Orchestra and Masterworks of Oakville. These days, most of my time is dedicated to my students, many of whom have won awards at music festivals and First Class Honors with Distinction, including Gold Awards, with The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM). In 2010, I created a group for my teen students, Vivace Violins, which gave them a space to socialize and perform. I love teaching and watching my students blossom into beautiful musicians.
Dad, Mom and me.
Performing Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor with orchestra (age 12)
Lesson with Manuel Compinsky
2015 Promo video of Vivace Violins