WHERE ARE THEY NOW?  By Lisa Boyko,  Winter 2008

Every year in March a whole slew of young people are practicing hard, working toward a specific goal.  They are preparing to participate in the Ohio Viola Society competition, which usually takes place in early April.  This exciting event has become such a regular and important part of each season, I can’t even remember when we didn’t have it.  So I thought it would be fun to look back to the early days of our beloved OVS, track the growth of the competition and follow up on some of our past winners.

At my age all the years are starting to run together, so I had to hunt around for a few dates.  The Ohio chapter of the American Viola Society was founded in 1999, on the initiative of Jeffrey Irvine, professor of viola at the Cleveland Institute of Music.  Our first activity was a concert; our second activity was a master class day for all ages.  Sound familiar?  Within two years a competition was organized, under the able leadership of Laura Shuster, teacher of Suzuki viola at the CIM Preparatory Department.

At first there were two divisions – middle school and high school.  But as our treasury grew and the need became apparent, a college division was added in 2004.  At that time we also began bringing in a “guest judge” from a conservatory or orchestra outside the OVS.  Past guest judges include Alan Veritch, Michael Strauss (Indianapolis Symphony) and Kate Lewis (University).  All this, plus the commitment to offer significant prizes in each category, meant that we had to keep our coffers filled.  Hence, the annual benefit concert!

By now it’s been a few years since those first winners were chosen, so….Where are they now?  Well, I was able to find several of them.  I asked them what they got out of participating in OVS, especially the competition, and whether they could offer some advice and encouragement with this year’s contestants.  I’m happy to share their responses here:

Sarah Murphy (student of Alan Bodman) High School winner in 2002

I’m a junior (winter 2008) at Case Western Reserve University, majoring in Biology, with minors in French, Music and Chemistry.  In the OVS I really enjoyed being able to perform in front of a supportive audience.  The competition gave me goals towards which to work during my lessons.  OVS also provided the opportunity for me to interact with some incredible violists!

My advice for this year’s contestants?  Practice hard for the competition, but while there, just enjoy the experience.

Rachel Samson (student of Stanley Konopka) High School winner in 2003

I’m currently studying viola at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Jeffrey Irvine.  Last year I had the opportunity to play the third movement of the Bartok concerto with the Cleveland Orchestra for school concerts at Severance Hall.

OVS is a great way to meet other violists (really cool people) and to learn more about the viola, viola current events, viola gurus, viola equipment, viola repertoire, etc.  When I competed in the OVS competition, at the time it was a great way to practice polishing a piece and presenting it in front of an audience (i.e. judges…friendly judges, though).  Also, it was a great opportunity to hear my peers and appreciate all the hard work they had done.  In fact, I believe the OVS Competition is where I met two of my favorite viola friends, Sarah Murphy and Leah Reiter.

Encouragement:  Use everything as a learning experience.  Whether you win or lose – it only matters so much.

Kristin Chai (student of Lembi Veskimets) High School winner in 2004

I am currently (Winter 2008) a senior at Northwestern University, in a 5-year dual-degree program with Music Performance and Spanish.  In 2004 I had never really entered any competitions before.  OVS was my first serious competition, so it motivated me to work hard and deliver a good performance.  If you’re competing this year, here’s some advice and encouragement:  Stay focused when you’re performing and keep going no matter what – chances are you’re doing better than you think you are!

Annalisa Boerner (student of Debbie Price) High School winner in 2005

I am working on a Bachelor’s Degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where I study with Jeffrey Irvine.  Right now (Winter 2008) I am learning the Miklos Rosza Concerto and the first Bach solo sonata.  It’s my first experience with Bach’s violin literature and I am enjoying it.  My quartet is tackling early Beethoven and realizing more and more each rehearsal just how hard it is.

Some perspective on the world of competition?  You never know how things will turn out.  The year that I won, I didn’t think I had given a stellar performance.  My accompanist asked me if it had been worth the drive up from Columbus, and I said probably not.  As it turns out, that wasn’t true at all – I had actually won first place!  Good luck, and remember how hard it is to judge a subjective art form.  Giving the performance for which you have prepared and worked hard is the true and most productive goal of any competition.

Molly Gebrian (student of Peter Slowik) College winner in 2004

I’m living in Boston and working as a Suzuki violin/viola teacher, as well as playing in the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra under Benjamin Zander.  I finished my Master’s Degree at New England Conservatory in 2006 and this spring (2008) I will graduate from the Graduate Diploma program at NEC.  I’m currently taking DMA auditions and will begin my doctorate somewhere in the fall. 

While at Oberlin, I really appreciated the opportunity given to us by OVS of attending and playing in master classes given by the best violists and teachers in the country.  The competition was a chance to see how my playing measured up to my peers outside of the normal circle of musicians who regularly heard me play. 

To this year’s competitors:  Just remember, if you work hard and put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything you want.  In the end, the quality of the work you do is all that matters.

 Yu Jin (student of Jeffrey Irvine) College winner in 2005

I’m playing in the Miami String Quartet, which is the resident string quartet at the Kent State University School of Music.  I also teach viola majors and coach chamber music at Kent.

What I liked about OVS was that I had a lot of interaction with local violists, both faculty and students, and I got lots of help from master classes.  I valued the experience of performing in the competition.  And of course, winning made my resume look nicer! 

To this year’s contestants I’d like to say, treasure every opportunity of performing in front of people and gaining more experience.

Congratulations and thanks to these past prize winners!  And where are the winners of the future?

Hopefully in the practice room!