Violinist available in the Atlanta metro area

[Beach Runner]

My daughter, Beach Jacket, has decided to start offering her services as a violinist in the Atlanta metro area after receiving offers to play in weddings there. Because there are so many members of this board from the Atlanta area, I thought I'd post the following. You can pm her if you're interested or know someone who would be interested in taking advantage of her services.

Beach Jacket began playing the violin at the age of seven. She studied under Ms. Kerren Berz, current concertmaster of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and whose work can be heard on albums by Outkast, Destiny's Child, Pink, Sinead O'Connor, and others. From the age of eleven until she moved to Cambridge to attend MIT, Beach Jacket studied under Professor Patricio Cobos, retired chairman of the violin department at Columbus State University, current conductor of the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, and current associate concertmaster of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. When she was a participant in the Georgia Governor?s Honors Program, she also studied under Professor Manual Diaz, chairman of the viola department at Columbus State University and principal violist for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. She made her debut at the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra at age eleven and was a member of the orchestra from age eleven until she left for college. She has performed in a string quartet at parties honoring former President Jimmy Carter, as well as at many other parties, weddings, graduations, church services, etc. She is currently a student at Georgia Tech and is available to provide her services as a violinist in the Atlanta metro area.

 

[Rudyjohn]

Impressive resume. Just curious - - is she continuing her studies for a degree in violin performance?

Good luck to her as this is a wonderful part-time job. Not necessarily a flexible one but still a good one for extra money & to retain her skills.

 

[Beach Runner]

Impressive resume. Just curious - - is she continuing her studies for a degree in violin performance?

Good luck to her as this is a wonderful part-time job. Not necessarily a flexible one but still a good one for extra money & to retain her skills.

Thanks. She plans to go to med school. She decided that art and music would be her avocations instead of her vocation. Frankly I think she'd lead a less stressful life following her artistic talents, such as being a web designer (since she's a whiz at web programming and graphic design) or a musician.

Yes, one can make some nice money doing gigs. As a student, she doesn't have time to be in an orchestra (too many rehearsals), but one can make some nice money as a soloist at weddings, parties, corporate events, etc.

BTW Kerren Berz is also concertmaster of the Nashville Concert Orchestra and has performed in our home. On our 25th anniversary, Big D and I renewed our vows, had a church wedding, and had a reception at our home. Kerren was in a trio that we hired to play at the reception.

 

[Rudyjohn]

Thanks. She plans to go to med school. She decided that art and music would be her avocations instead of her vocation. Frankly I think she'd lead a less stressful life following her artistic talents, such as being a web designer (since she's a whiz at web programming and graphic design) or a musician.

Yes, one can make some nice money doing gigs. As a student, she doesn't have time to be in an orchestra (too many rehearsals), but one can make some nice money as a soloist at weddings, parties, corporate events, etc.

That's what I thought.

My son wants so badly to get a degree in cello performance and we're trying to encourage him to consider music education instead for job stability.

It's all so interesting.

 

[Beach Runner]

That's what I thought.

My son wants so badly to get a degree in cello performance and we're trying to encourage him to consider music education instead for job stability.

It's all so interesting.

I understand. However, my new therapist has really put me at peace with all of this. What he made me think through is that although I have my own personal goals and goals for my child, my major goal for my child should be for her to be happy and healthy because really those are the most important things in life. When we try to impose our wishes on our children, it causes us and them unnecessary stress and unhappiness. Therefore, my goal is to always be strong and "be there" for my child and, more importantly, be supportive of my child in achieving *her* goals.

 

[Rudyjohn]

I understand. However, my new therapist has really put me at peace with all of this. What he made me think through is that although I have my own personal goals and goals for my child, my major goal for my child should be for her to be happy and healthy because really those are the most important things in life. When we try to impose our wishes on our children, it causes us and them unnecessary stress and unhappiness. Therefore, my goal is to always be strong and "be there" for my child and, more importantly, be supportive of my child in achieving *her* goals.

Oh I know. He's adamant that this is to be. But I'm afraid that he will lead a life of various gigs in addition to other part time jobs. It's not easy getting a full time position in a symphony. But you're right... if that's what makes him happy, then I need to be supportive and then back off a little.

 

[2bfabian]

Its sad that so many Americans have a hard time apreciating the Arts. I know you had to of had many great moments listening to her while she was growing up. I believe that the ex Fed chairman Greenspan went to juilliard and played a wind instriment. So many accomplished people have left music to do like your daughter.

 

[2bfabian]

I always told my daughter there are more astronauts than there are great musicians making a good living playing a classical instrument. But God its got to be great listening to your children Play the first Cello suite by Bach.

It is hard to let them grow up and be the adults that you raised them to be. I know they will be fine.

 

[Rudyjohn]

I always told my daughter there are more astronauts than there are great musicians making a good living playing a classical instrument. But God its got to be great listening to your children Play the first Cello suite by Bach.

It is hard to let them grow up and be the adults that you raised them to be. I know they will be fine.

I took a break to check this board to see what's happening because I've spent the last week researching college music prgrams across the country for my son. The auditions are brutal. The competition is fierce. The academics have to be stellar. Practice is a minimum of 3+ hours daily. We've been told by every college advisor that music is one of the most rigorous majors. I now believe it. I wish I could hire someone to help us sort through all this and we're not even to the financial/scholarship part yet!

And yes, the Bach Suites are glorious. There is a special feeling of personal accomplishment that comes to a musician, no matter what the age. I witness it almost every day.

 

[organicmama]

Oh I know. He's adamant that this is to be. But I'm afraid that he will lead a life of various gigs in addition to other part time jobs. It's not easy getting a full time position in a symphony. But you're right... if that's what makes him happy, then I need to be supportive and then back off a little.

Living a musician's (or artist's) life is.... different. It's not bad or rough. It takes the inner peace knowing that this is God's/The Universe's gift to the person possessing it.

I swore I'd never marry a musician... too much baggage... but the pedigreed accountant I dated for 6 years during college had more luggage than a 747! Nor could I ever tell my husband to stop music & get a real job, as music is as much a part of his life as breathing is. It's essential.

And, it takes planning, as the need for musicians waxes & wanes, but it can be done and be thought out well enough so that it runs like a clock. making the most of a career, investing & working the multiple streams of income make the lean music times not lean financially. It's similar to a Pro Athlete and their time frame with their career. If they plan well, they are set for life. If they don't, they are broke within a few years.

My father thinks that we can't possibly make it with my husband being a musician. We can and we are. It's a beautiful life.