O n P e r f o r m a n c e A n x i e t y

"Walk on stage with love in your heart."
-Zara Nelsova

Thanks to something a friend of mine told me a couple of years ago, performance anxiety has become almost non-existent for me. What he told me, briefly, is this: you're going to play the way you're going to play. That is, the amount of preparation that you've put into your music has already determined how you're going to play. Anxiety will only affect you marginally. The first thing you must do is admit that some level of anxiety is unavoidable. So the best thing you can do is await that natural level of nervousness, without dwelling on it or adding to it. Performing should be an enjoyable experience, not one to be dreaded. Always remember that when you are performing, you are sharing your thoughts, ideas, personal achievement, and above all, some great music with your audience. Friends, even! They want to hear you express yourself. Also, don't kid yourself- you WILL make a mistake. It's inevitable. Humans are not perfect creatures. I've even heard (gasp!) Yo-Yo Ma miss a note in a live performance. Make sure you think about WHY you are performing before you begin. Why does anyone play an instrument? You love music. You want others to love music. Above all, you want to experience emotion and share it. I will admit that it does take a while to get used to the idea of dispensing with excess nervousness. But once it's gone, you're allowed to focus on what is important: making music. (Boy, was THAT cheesy!)

O n L i f e

"Don't worry, be happy."
-Bobby McFerrin

I don't think there is any great divine meaning behind life. Life is just life. I think we're here to enjoy it, to live, to experience. The core of my philosophy is, just chill. Life is too short to get upset over stupid things.

O n M u s i c (and why I'm devoting my life to it)

I think one of the best things you can do for a person is make them feel emotion. What the specific emotion is doesn't really matter, it's the simple fact that you're reminding a person of their humanity. It's almost a reality check. Music is the way I can make people feel emotion, directly through the cello and performing, indirectly through managing other performers and bringing the audience and musician together.

O n B a k i n g

Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking. What can she possibly have to say about baking? Well, here goes nothing: My roommate Amy pointed out to me the reason I like to bake obsessively. Closure. Musicians are never finished with their work. There's always something that could be done better, or differently. I like to bake because it gives me the satisfaction of completing a job. Okay, that and the fact that I am an incurable chocaholic. So sue me.