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Name: Chloe

Grade: 8th

Level: Avant/Chamber

Instrument: Violin

How long have you been playing?

3-4 yrs

What sparked your interest in playing this instrument?

Something about it appealed to me, but I'm not quite sure what exactly.

What is your favorite musical piece that you've played?

There are so many I love, but one of them is the Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach.

What type of music do you most like to play and why?

Classical and Pop because they are just fun to play!

What is giving/gave you the most trouble while learning, and what advice would you give to others having similar difficulties?

Getting angry or upset at myself when I practiced. Instead of pausing to breathe or go slow, I would go too fast and make mistakes and eventually get angry with myself in the process. For the longest time I thought that I just wasn't good enough to play a passage, and I didn't stop to think about my practice habits. Fairly recently, one of our teachers, Ms. Jill Hirsch, talked to us about implying mindfulness when we practice. I started to think about how I practice before I practice and what I was going to do - I would go through my practice routine in my head before I even picked up my violin. Afterwards, I felt prepared and ready to practice once I actually started. Now, whenever things get hard, I go slow and work my way up the ladder until I can do it without getting upset with myself.

Any words of wisdom or encouragement for your peers?

Don't give up and believe in yourself. Try and keep an open and clear mind when you practice. Tell yourself it's ok when you make mistakes and try again. Make sure the time you spend practicing is positive and you enjoy it.