The Passion Project: Violin Edition

What happens when a classically trained violinist enters a musical tradition where so much of the music lives beyond the written page? In this episode, I speak with violinist, composer, educator, and researcher Zoë Aqua about her immersion in klezmer and Transylvanian musical traditions—and how learning from traditional musicians in Romania changed the way she listens, plays, teaches, and thinks a...

Many musicians believe consistency comes from discipline, motivation, or simply trying harder. But over the years, I've discovered something different. In this episode, I share why sustainable practice isn't built through pressure—and what actually helps us return to our instruments, even during busy seasons of life. --- In this episode of  The Passion Project: Violin Edition , I explore a...

If you’ve ever wondered why motivation feels so inconsistent when it comes to practicing, this episode offers a different perspective. Instead of trying to fix motivation, we explore how to understand it — and how to work with it in a more sustainable way. This is for adult violinists navigating full lives, looking for a way to stay connected to their instrument without relying on constant discipl...

In this episode of  The Passion Project: Violin Edition , I’m sharing the audio version of a reflection titled  What I Was Afraid to Say Out Loud . It names something many adult violinists — especially women navigating work, family, and creative identity — experience but rarely articulate. This is not a teaching episode. It’s not a method explanation. It’s a moment of honesty. If you’ve ever felt...

In this first episode of  The Passion Project: Violin Edition , I share the turning point that led me from burnout and near‑quitting to rethinking how we practice — and what actually leads to musical growth without pressure or overwhelm. It’s the philosophy that now guides my work with adult violinists — particularly women balancing music with full lives — who want to reconnect with their instrume...