I definitely felt a bit grateful about my free time last week…I was down to only one full time job (sort of)! Of course, things were still crazy, and mostly I’ve been fighting through to-do lists. I have managed to work out a bit more than usual which has been fun, and I no longer feel like I’m drowning in work, but the work is still lapping at my chin as I struggle to keep my head above water. I think I’d thought October would feel freer than it is, but the fact that I have time to blog means it is indeed a bit freer.

We had a great quartet concert on Sunday at Second Presbyterian Church. The concert got a great crowd (this was part of an existing music series) and they were really welcoming.

Louie was gone for a conference until Saturday night so I mostly worked and hibernated. I did get to read a bit more for fun, and I stewed about how women are treated in the current government.  It’s not good, people, but I remind myself that it hasn’t been good for a long time, and that just because things are in the news doesn’t mean they haven’t been going on for a long time.

I had a question in the comments about the headphones I was wearing for the show the other week. I thought I’d explain here in case others were wondering. We were under the stage, and our sound was piped into the hall—nothing “live” was coming in or out, so the headphones were so we could hear things like the keyboard (the conductor also played keyboard, and without hearing that we would have been really lost) and the singers. I shared a mix with the violist and cellist, which meant we had to negotiate how much of each part we wanted to hear in our headphones. Some instruments, like the drums and brass players we could hear just fine live, and others like the guitar and bass were in the headphones. We could also have our own sound in the mix, which I find a little bit weird. It’s a little odd to wear them while playing but I found I got quite used to it. I do have to take earrings off and wear my hair up or the headphones will slide off.

Every show I play is a little different as far as how the sound works. Some shows I’ve worn headphones and gotten to choose my own mix, and with other shows there will just be monitors around so you can hear the keyboard/synthesizers. Since there are so few string players in any given show, and so few musicians generally, the keyboards really take up the slack. It’s a mixed bag; we are glad they use live musicians AT ALL, but honestly, a violin mixed with a violin synth sound just isn’t the same as a full violin section. But the audiences don’t seem to care, and musicians cost money. I’m happy to play when needed, and the fun thing about being the only violin means each time I play is a solo of sorts and the stakes are high (which I like).

Hope that helps! One reason I blog is to tell the world about my life as a freelance musician. As my career and work have grown these past few years, I’m often torn about whether to change my focus into something more helpful to younger musicians, or really try to monetize this blog, or close it down all together. But I think, if nothing else, it shows how a musician lives her life, for better or (sometimes) worse, and how I live MY life. You obviously enjoy reading it or you wouldn’t be here!

Okay, fun stuff now. CATS. These guys can be really destructive (they love scratching suitcases and furniture, tearing up paper, and of course knocking things over) but they are super cute. They groom each other and they also fight hard, with claws and teeth.

SO CUTE.

Though I still wish we had another dog. Well…the truth is mostly just that I miss Mackenzie. The students miss her too, sitting on the couch enjoying the violin lessons. We miss taking her out for walks and into the woods for hikes. And just having her presence in the house was nice, especially when I was home nights alone.

But I’m glad we took on this guy:

Today I had the morning off rather than our usual quartet rehearsal, so it feels very decadent. We meet every week to rehearse, and some days I am not super happy about it, but it is a fun and important commitment in my life. I do teach a long day today, 11 students, but this week is generally okay. We are attending a couple of concerts this weekend for a change, and I’m also playing a Prince Tribute Show at the Fox on Sunday.

Let me go into a little detail about my schedule: 11 students today. 6 1/2 hours total—a mix of 30 and 45 minute students, plus one hour. Tomorrow I am free until 3:30 but then I have 7 students. That means tomorrow is a great day to practice and run errands and maybe do a bit of housecleaning (we let our house keeper go a few months ago and haven’t found a new one yet). Thursday is one student at the college in the morning but not early, then 7 at home. This is also a nice day in that I have time to workout before the college student, and then time to practice and do any paperwork before teaching. Friday I normally have 3 college students, but it’s only 2, then I go home and teach 6 students before heading to the Sheldon for a Jazz Concert. Saturday I have the morning off, a short wedding in the afternoon followed by a performance at the Artica Festival with my band, Third Millennium World’s Fair or 3MWF for short. After that I hurry home and then we are going to the Symphony. Sunday I meet my students for the Arch Cup in the morning, and then to the Fox Theatre for rehearsal and the Prince Show.

Are you tired yet? The good news is that Monday is Fall Break at my Monday college, so that means I am free all day until the evening! And remember, this is a less busy week. Louie works a full time job and is working on getting a PhD so we are both workaholics right now in our lives, and we are just dealing with it. I tell myself after he gets the degree maybe I’ll start saying no to things more often (I say no, but it’s mostly because I’m already booked) but I like being in demand, honestly. And even though I sometimes dread the schedule of a given day, mostly once I start working I have a good time and enjoy playing or teaching or interacting with the students.

I do wish I had a little more time for friends, but I’m not making that a priority right now. I am managing to see people here and there and I definitely see plenty of people day in and day out, and have conversations and whatnot, and that’s enough for me now. Or I’m telling myself that . I’m done apologizing to myself about it I think, and I’m just going to embrace the busy-ness. I’m not busy for the sake of being busy, but because being a musician is hard work and there is always something more to do.

On that note, I’d better go deal with a few things and do a bit of violin practice before my teaching day starts. I got a ton of stuff checked off the to-do list earlier today, but a few more things have been added (never-ending!) so I might tackle some of those.

I haven’t forgotten about you all. I’ve just been running around like a chicken with my head cut off.  Waking up, going to work, teaching, rehearsals, practicing in all my spare time until late in the evening, and when I have a few moments, trying to catch up on my emails! It’s been a busy start to the fall. Maybe I took on too many students. Maybe I have too many concerts coming up. Or maybe this is all okay, and transitioning from summer to fall is hard!

In any case, I’m here. I’m alive. I’m getting back. I’m only partially losing my mind, but most importantly, I’m making it work. Is this how I envisioned my life when I was in music school? No, but this is how it is right now, and it’s working. I currently have 45 students between home and schools, and I have a quartet, a duo, some other random chamber music groups, a concerto performance, an opera (done!) and so many weddings and other gigs…and it’s all fitting together.

I credit my to do list, my calendar, my sense of timing, and my insatiable desire to make it all work.

Sunday is a day off, though it will be spent catching up. This life isn’t for the weak I’m exhausted, but so are so many other people. I’m sometimes frustrated, sometimes exhilarated, and having a good time teaching kids to play the violin (and adults too). I read other people’s advice on how to make it in the music world, and they recommend not doing a lot of things that I’ve done. Maybe I’ll write my own advice book.

But currently I’m trying to decide whether I should change into long pants or if capri length jeans are good for teaching today…and then I am back to it for 4 1/2 hours, so I’m going to just leave you with this!

How’s your fall going?

I’ve had a few “new to me” students this week. I enjoy transfer students because somehow it’s easier to teach a student that is already used to being taught. The ones I had this week seemed wonderful and really fun, and I’m looking forward to continuing with them.  I get new ideas from seeing how they learned in the past, too, and feel like I’m always learning and improving. Let’s not pretend: I often feel like I’m not as good of a teacher as I should be, so I’m constantly trying to figure out how to improve.

This week flew by, mostly, because the nights were full of Opera rehearsals (and last weekend.) I’m playing Carousel with Union Avenue Opera, and it opens tonight. And might I add how great it has been sitting in the back of the second violin section rather than having to lead as in other gigs I play: it is SO much easier and less stressful yet still enjoyable.

Fridays have been an interesting day in the summer, because I’ve been teaching only in the mornings, so I’m done for the day, except this whole “opera” thing later tonight. The question is, what to do this afternoon? I’ve spent 30 minutes catching up on emails and a few other items, and now, practice, read, or nap? Maybe a little of each is ideal. I am definitely on my third cup of coffee.

I have a lot things in my head, and I feel like summer is nearing an end…what else can I actually accomplish this summer while giving myself a little more time to relax before the fall hits…I’m starting to get excited, but when you basically double your weekly workload, or more, it feels a little overwhelming to look at. I do have a lovely vacation in between too!

If I sound lazy to you (which I’m sure I don’t, but in case) remember that during the school year I basically work everyday. Sometimes I think I must be crazy, but I don’t know that I chose this life: it chose me, and I kind of love it, even though I complain. I love the hustle, I love the bustle, I love feeling like I’m really pushing myself to do all these things, and I love having a varied schedule full of different things in different places. I just also love traveling, having relaxing days, and reading. It’s a constant battle.

One last Blue Apron meal from the other week. We both loved this meal—it was absolutely delicious. Purple Rice and Miso Spinach Bowls. I do love the Blue Apron meals, but it’s a lot of work cooking each one. I’m thinking of trying something called “Platejoy” that is a meal planning service next. I do enjoy cooking but some nights want and need a 20-30 minute meal rather than a 45-60 minute meal.

I don’t have any particularly fun plans for the weekend, just working a bit and starting to assemble what we need for the camping trip. I think it’s usually best to pack ahead of time so you know if you are missing anything! The itinerary is basically done (if you have any suggestions for Asheville/Smoky Mountains, do share in the comments though!) and it’s just a matter of loading the car and hitting the road. One more week!