Sesame Street Influences Violinist

While watching world-famous violinist, Itzhak Perlman, perform Beethoven’s Minuet in G on Sesame Street, Laura decided she had to play the violin.

SEGUIN, TX – At three years old most kids are content to watch Sesame Street and be entertained.

However, professional violinist Laura Scalzo was making big decisions at that early age. While watching world-famous violinist, Itzhak Perlman, perform Beethoven’s Minuet in G on Sesame Street, Laura decided she had to play the violin.

“I had one of those moments where something resonated deep within me,” Scalzo said. “I loved the way the violin sounded and I was curious to understand how it worked,” explains the grown-up, dark haired beauty. “I just knew I had to get my hands on one, and I was lucky enough to have parents who were supportive and enthusiastic to help me along my musical journey.”

Scalzo, as the featured solo artist this Sunday with the Mid-Texas Symphony at Jackson Auditorium in Seguin, performs one of the most beloved violin pieces in the classical canon, Mozart’s Concerto for Violin No 5.  MTS Maestro David Mairs says of Scalzo’s playing, “It is sublime, and she absolutely shines in this piece. I am excited for our community to experience the breath-taking beauty of Mozart through Laura’s superb playing!”

Although Scalzo had been taking private lessons since the igniting of her passion it took some time before she landed on music as a career. “I think some part of me always knew that I would be a musician, but I didn’t really seriously commit to making that happen until I was in high school. I was lucky enough to attend a fabulous summer program for young musicians in Saratoga Springs, New York. This was my first experience performing in a fantastic orchestra, playing great symphonic music – Brahms, Beethoven, Dvorak – the classics.  It was so exhilarating being a part of making that incredible music while surrounded by creative, interesting and inspiring people. I was totally hooked.”

“It’s funny; I can’t really remember a time when I didn’t play. It is such a big part of who I am. It’s not just a career, or a hobby, or something I’m good at; being a violinist is what defines me,” Scalzo exclaims.

According to Scalzo, being a working musician is not a calling for the faint-of-heart.  She is often asked about it, “When I have a student considering pursuing music as a career, I ask them if they can see themselves being happy doing anything else. If they can, then music probably is not the career for them,” she advices. “Music is a tough business, and it takes a combination of hard work, talent, perseverance and luck to be successful artistically,” she says. ” If you are anything less than 100 percent committed, you will end up frustrated. However, if you are willing to make the sacrifices to honor your passion, the journey can be incredibly satisfying, and the rewards limitless. I cannot really describe the feeling of playing with your friends and colleagues, and you are all making a phrase together, being swept into whatever feeling you’re trying to create and it all just gels. Music has taken me on some incredible adventures in my life. I have traveled to many places to perform and I have met many wonderful and influential people in my life through music.”

Like many professional musicians, Scalzo teaches private violin lessons when she is not playing with Mid-Texas or San Antonio symphonies. “I’ve had a studio for 15 years. My teaching has certainly evolved since then! I love to teach students of all ages and skill levels. My youngest right now is six and my oldest is around 40. I once had a student who was in her 70’s! It’s fun to have a wide variety of students,” she says with a warm smile, “It’s challenging to tailor our work. There are many valuable lessons learned through studying music, including discipline, self-evaluation, critical thinking and problem solving skills.”

Scalzo has a ton of creative interests outside of music and envisions that if music was not her career, “I love gardening and I have a very large collection of succulents as well as a small vegetable patch. I dabble in jewelry making. I really enjoy working on the house and making living spaces beautiful. I think the artistic skills I have worked to develop in my music tend to translate to my hobbies! So I don’t know maybe I would be an interior-jewelry-plant designer,” she says with a hearty laugh, “This sounds like the beginnings of a very eclectic Etsy store” she says with a hearty laugh.

Experience for yourself, Scalzo’s hard work, dedication and passion this Sunday as she performs Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 5 with Mid-Texas Symphony at 4pm in Jackson Auditorium in Seguin.

Purchase tickets online at www.mtsymphony.org or call 830.463.5353.