Cayt Norris
From Childhood Longing to Classical Violin Training
I'm 7 years old, alone in the darkened music room of an elementary school, touching music stands, longing for something, and feeling immersed in a mystery. My neighbor who took violin lessons allowed me to listen to her practice and touch her violin. I remember asking for a violin teacher with no results and many tears for two years – forever, in a kid's eyes – until free lessons became available in the school string program with Myron McClain..
Private lessons, school concerts, summer orchestras, youth symphony, Interlochen Music Camp, concertmaster of district orchestra, U of IL Summer Youth Music, performance major at college, Meadowmount School. Private study with three world-famous master teachers for several years each. (Rolland, Jaffe, Mazurkevich) So this is how I became a classical violinist, perched on the edge of the nest, ready to fly into a life of music!
The Teaching Spirit Springs Forth
My first famous teacher, Paul Rolland, had me teaching 5-year-olds in his UI String Project, when I was just 16. He said I would become a gifted teacher. Five years later I was on the faculty of the UI Summer Youth Music School, and the university music faculty saw the teaching spirit in me. By then I knew for sure and I loved it... violin teacher. Performing was (and always is) a fulfilling and consuming passion, and I enjoy the balance of weaving together both performing and teaching. To me, however, teaching is a very special gift – a calling. Not all good performers make good teachers. I have always experienced a sense of unique purpose and intention in teaching, especially now as I focus on adult learners.
Other Musical Styles Become Part of My Tapestry
Although the vast realm of classical music was my nest and life for many years, a wide range of musical styles have become part of the tapestry: African Highlife Band in college... band musician in Reno for Headliner Shows... founder & soloist for a Baroque Chamber Orchestra... a little Klezmer here and there... a taste of jazz improvisation at Berklee... studio recording work (yes, that's me playing violin on the Pirates of the Caribbean video game!)... and freelance wedding and function performances in all of the styles above plus opera, ballet and musical theater. I'm happy to teach violin and/or fiddle in all these styles, according to students' interests..
Celtic Music: The Music of my Heart
For more than two decades, Celtic music has become the genre in which I most commonly perform, record, play at sessions and compose. The music of Ireland's national composer, Turlough O'Carolan, has been revealed to me as the Music of My Heart. With the Angel Band, a Celtic string ensemble based in seacoast NH/ME, I performed for ten years in many lovely concert series in the Northeast, made recordings and even appeared as honored guest performers at distinguished O'Carolan Festivals in Ireland. Currently I am honored to perform and teach at the Vermont Carolan Festival in June of every year.
I'm 7 years old, alone in the darkened music room of an elementary school, touching music stands, longing for something, and feeling immersed in a mystery. My neighbor who took violin lessons allowed me to listen to her practice and touch her violin. I remember asking for a violin teacher with no results and many tears for two years – forever, in a kid's eyes – until free lessons became available in the school string program with Myron McClain..
Private lessons, school concerts, summer orchestras, youth symphony, Interlochen Music Camp, concertmaster of district orchestra, U of IL Summer Youth Music, performance major at college, Meadowmount School. Private study with three world-famous master teachers for several years each. (Rolland, Jaffe, Mazurkevich) So this is how I became a classical violinist, perched on the edge of the nest, ready to fly into a life of music!
The Teaching Spirit Springs Forth
My first famous teacher, Paul Rolland, had me teaching 5-year-olds in his UI String Project, when I was just 16. He said I would become a gifted teacher. Five years later I was on the faculty of the UI Summer Youth Music School, and the university music faculty saw the teaching spirit in me. By then I knew for sure and I loved it... violin teacher. Performing was (and always is) a fulfilling and consuming passion, and I enjoy the balance of weaving together both performing and teaching. To me, however, teaching is a very special gift – a calling. Not all good performers make good teachers. I have always experienced a sense of unique purpose and intention in teaching, especially now as I focus on adult learners.
Other Musical Styles Become Part of My Tapestry
Although the vast realm of classical music was my nest and life for many years, a wide range of musical styles have become part of the tapestry: African Highlife Band in college... band musician in Reno for Headliner Shows... founder & soloist for a Baroque Chamber Orchestra... a little Klezmer here and there... a taste of jazz improvisation at Berklee... studio recording work (yes, that's me playing violin on the Pirates of the Caribbean video game!)... and freelance wedding and function performances in all of the styles above plus opera, ballet and musical theater. I'm happy to teach violin and/or fiddle in all these styles, according to students' interests..
Celtic Music: The Music of my Heart
For more than two decades, Celtic music has become the genre in which I most commonly perform, record, play at sessions and compose. The music of Ireland's national composer, Turlough O'Carolan, has been revealed to me as the Music of My Heart. With the Angel Band, a Celtic string ensemble based in seacoast NH/ME, I performed for ten years in many lovely concert series in the Northeast, made recordings and even appeared as honored guest performers at distinguished O'Carolan Festivals in Ireland. Currently I am honored to perform and teach at the Vermont Carolan Festival in June of every year.