The Story
I love how music of a particular time and place springs to life when played with the equipment and manner it was first imagined. My baroque violin is my own voice in the kaleidoscope of repertoire I play most often — music from early 17th century, to the 19th and early 20th century. It is also an important tool as I realize my own artistic visions, such as PrintWorks: Making Music — a collaborative, inventive, interactive art and music event inspired by 17th century musical scores and printing processes.
After finishing my Masters in Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music in London, I purchased the baroque violin which I have been using professionally for the past 9 years. I’ve grown musically and professionally since I obtained my current baroque violin. In order to continue to grow as a musician, I need to work with an instrument that is more responsive, and has a greater range of tone colors; an instrument to match and help me move beyond my current level of playing; to grow into and grow with. Would you like to help?
The Opportunity
I had the opportunity to “meet” a new baroque violin a few weeks ago when I was in California playing an opera project. The instrument (she’s been going by “Clara”) is a Stainer-model violin made in Germany in the 1730’s, and currently owned by a wonderful colleague. I am happy that this purchase will directly support another working musician.
The total cost of this violin is $18,000. Although I will sell my current baroque instrument and produce a set of fundraising concerts to make purchase of the new instrument more feasible, I still need financial help to make it happen. Through this campaign, I hope to raise $9000 for the instrument down payment. All donations given through my fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas, are tax deductible. If I do not meet the fund-raising goal while "Clara" is still available, all donated funds will be placed in an instrument-specific account, and I will continue to search for my next baroque violin partner.
Working with this instrument will enable me to explore new musical possibilities, lead my own unique projects and contribute to a wide array of first-class performances. I invite you to join me on this exciting new phase of my career. Thank you for your consideration!
1) With 17th c. band Ardenza (Providence, RI)
2) "Rebels and Socialites" with Arpeggione Ensemble's at the Shalin Liu (Rockport, MA)
3) Pajama Concert at South Shore Conservatory (Hingham, MA)
4) Rehearsal with Arpeggione at historic Gloucester Meeting House
5) Bel canto opera with Teatro Nuovo at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater (New York, NY)
6) Multi-century, multi-sensory art and music event PrintWorks with the Halfmoon (Boston, MA) 7) Ardenza at SoHIP concert series (Andover, MA)
8) N. American premiere of Porpora's Polifemo with Opera Neo (San Diego, CA)
9) Pop-up Baroque Orchestra, PorchFest neighborhood music festival (Roslindale, MA)