Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Hagen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jodi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in the Boston area…..My parents are both music teachers…Dad was my first violin teacher and Mom was my piano teacher and accompanist. After loving watching my older sister’s violin lessons and playing “air violin”, at the age of 3 started violin lessons. I grew up in a musical house where my older sister, Gina Hagen Kolenda, now a well-known artist, was a wonderful and inspiring violinist, and younger sister, Susan Hagen, is an amazing and well known double bassist and teacher. I went to Boston University for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Artist Diploma in Violin Performance. In 2007 I auditioned and won a position with Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra……In 2010and 2013 I won tenured positions with Boston Lyric Opera and Boson Ballet Orchestra. I love playing solo, chamber music, and film scores for PBS TV. I enjoy teaching private lessons at Phillips Exeter and Andover Academies, well as violin lessons at my home. Music makes the world a brighter place and brings people together! In my free time, I love to cook, especially Italian food….take watercolor classes with my sister, and I’m a big fan of coffee!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have always loved practicing and being disciplined about my practicing. I spent 9 years in college and summers were for festivals and practicing to prepare for recitals and solo performances. After college, I spent years freelancing, performing in various groups in Boston, taking many lessons & coaching’s and traveling around the country for many orchestra auditions. This was a lot of work and was expensive! But it helped me learn that I wanted to stay here in Boston….as this was my home, the place I love with my wonderful family and music friends…..It also helped me get a lot of practice auditioning…which is so different from playing a solo concert or recital
Please tell us about Violinist in Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra.
Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra is a professional orchestra that is run as a Co-op….This is so special and it makes it special because the musicians help run all aspects of the organization….from choosing the repertoire (I love being involved with this) to choosing the guest soloists, concert dates, venues, etc.
Great results are achieved since the musicians not only understand these elements but the enthusiasm it creates inside the group is great!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My parents directed the music in our church when I was growing up and I have the best memories of my family singing and playing together at church…Dad-guitar/singing, Mom-organ/singing and my sisters both fantastic singers. Usually I’d choose to play the descants on my violin!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.proarte.org
- facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProArteBoston
- twitter: https://twitter.com/ProArteBoston
Image Credit:
Graham Gordon Ramsay, credit for my professional photo with violin
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