The music of Fiona

An interview with a violinist and teacher

At what age did you start playing the violin, and why did you choose that instrument?

Fiona at age 4

I started playing the violin at the age of four. In fact, my parents enrolled me in a Suzuki violin summer camp to try to get me to stop talking about the violin. I kept saying that I already played the violin, so they signed me up for the camp so that it could become true, and maybe also in the hope that I would lose interest in the instrument and they would never have to hear about it again. Their strategy did not quite work, and almost twenty years later, here we are.

What is your musical background?

After that camp, I began taking private lessons. A few years later, I started playing chamber music and joining orchestras. At the age of fourteen, I joined the Calgary Youth Orchestra, with which I toured Europe. I also performed an electric violin solo during a Christmas concert, and we took part in several orchestra symposiums in Banff.

During that time, I also greatly enjoyed playing chamber music, both in competitions and in concerts, as well as collaborating with local artists from different genres. I sometimes played on albums or performed in places where I never imagined I would play, such as the Coca-Cola Stage at the Calgary Stampede.

I moved to Montreal for university. I completed a bachelor’s degree in violin as well as in composition at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. I greatly enjoyed studying with Andrew Wan, Nicole Lizée and Chris Paul Harman. Each of them gave me a new perspective on how to define my artistic voice, as well as incomparable guidance in musical creation.

What are your other interests?

I love playing the violin, but most of the time, I am a composer. Regardless of the musical genre, I enjoy illustrating stories through the language of music. I also love reading and attending theatre performances, and these art forms have a strong influence on my compositions. One day, I would like to write a musical or an opera.

What role does music play in your life?

Music plays a very important role in my life. It is one of my favourite ways to express myself, and it is the only profession I have ever wanted to pursue. I interact with music in one way or another throughout the entire day. Whether I am listening to something new in my headphones, practising the violin, working on a composition or attending a concert, music is an integral part of my daily life.

What are some of your inspirations and future projects you would like to pursue?

Fiona, recent picture

I am currently working on several interesting composition projects. I am a finalist in the Graham Sommer Competition, so I am writing the piece for the final round, which will be performed by the Paramirabo ensemble. In addition, in June, I will release an album of electronic music and spoken word inspired by poetry written by my father. I would like to continue exploring this type of composition and, eventually, collaborate with more musicians and create more concerts around my music.