Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Summertimeeeeee and the living is easyyyy

Ok, so maybe not really "easy", but I am writing you from Wolfeboro, NH where I am attending the Heifetz International Music Institute. This small resort town is so cute and beautiful in the summer: our campus is on a beautiful lake, there's a beach, there's a fantastic running trail and an amazing ice cream place! (*note: I say this about the town in the summer only. Coming in the winter would mean that none of the things I listed above are enjoyable)

But those aren't the real reasons that I'm here. I'm here to learn and become a better musician. So is it worth all the money? Well if you consider it like summer school for conservatory students, I would say so. Our weekly schedules involve 2 hours of private instruction, 2 hours of performance master classes, 5 hours of chamber music rehearsal, 1 hour of chamber music coaching, 5 hours of communication training (singing, acting, speaking, dancing, improvisation), and 6+ hours of attending student and faculty concerts. In addition we are expected to practice 5 hours individually each day (but I usually only do 4...I think it's enough....).

So, if you are not efficient with your time, you may find that the hours of the day slip away before you get to add in those practice hours. But alas, almighty Violamad loves to manage time and loves waking up early, so she makes sure that there's free time in the afternoon to go to the beach or evenings to go to town and get ice cream! :)

Needless to say, in case you were wondering, I'm having a wonderful time here. Every day I am inspired and amazed by the ever so talented musicians who surround me at this festival. It's easy to watch these friends and colleagues and become filled with jealousy or feel disheartened in comparing myself to he or she. But I've really been trying to focus on the positive, inspiration part. And if you happen to find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to shift your focus just the same :)

Love,

Violamad