strings on a blimp?

So… this was unbelievable…


TRULY A MEMORY OF A LIFETIME!

On a beautiful Monday afternoon this June, I blinked and found myself climbing into a GOODYEAR blimp with my ViOLiN on my back. This sure was not on my bingo card of things I'd ever get to do via music, and I still can barely believe it happened!

Thank you to ZANE HIJAZI for this insane experience!!! It was a treat to perform Nessun Dorma with you in the skies! . And thank you GOODYEAR for the magical flight!


 

check out the final video here —>

 

NuDeco Ensemble: Arooj Aftab, Varijashree Venugopal, Michael League

It was an absolute honor to return to Miami back in March to join NuDeco Ensemble once again for an unforgettable week, playing the music of Arooj Aftab, Varijashree Venugopal, and Michael League. It really was such magic getting to delve into the musical worlds of these unbelievable artists. Some particular highlights: a commissioned premiere by Michael League for NuDeco, getting to learn and perform selections from ‘Platter of Discontent’ by Marc Mellits, and a killer Beach Boys Suite. Felt so lucky getting to experience this. The energy and artistry at NuDeco is really so inspiring. Thank you so much for having me back!

 

beautiful concert photos by: Alex Markow

 

I’m hopeful that the videos from the performance will be eventually published, but in the meantime— some of my favorite selections I got to play from that evening:

U.S. AGAINST THE WORLD on HBO Max

So grateful to the incredible Hannah Parrott for inviting me to be a part of this project. It was such a treat contributing some violin sounds to this epic score.

 

Check out ‘U.S. Against the World’ streaming on HBO Max!

 

hear me on tv?!

so excited!!! got to contribute some violin sounds to ‘Palm Royale’ again :))

 

a lifetime memory

I got to be a part of Jacob Collier’s first ever “Audience Orchestra”

It’s hard to put into words how special this was. Two days in San Francisco became a whirlwind blur of excitement, nervousness, and this nonstop feeling that I was getting to experience magic. It was really quite surreal, and nothing short of a dream come true.

THANK YOU SO MUCH ❤️🎶

photos courtesy of SF Jazz and Scott Chernis

 
 

NuDeco in Miami!!!

Back in November, I had the privilege of getting to join the Nu Deco Ensemble for an absolutely magical week of music in Miami, getting to perform with LEDISI!!! The entire week I was in plain awe of the unbelievable musicians I was getting to share the stage with. It really was an honor!

official photos by Alex Markow

Check out the BTS video!

 
 

And for more info about Nu Deco, please click below!

New collaboration with MITAKIMONO!

THE EDGE OF GLORY by Lady Gaga in collaboration with Mitakimono

Please watch the full video that we shot —> HERE

As a huge fan of Lady Gaga for many years, I was shocked and excited to get asked this collaboration to wear a custom kimono with beautiful artwork of the iconic GAGA! Recording this cover was more challenging I thought it would be, trying to do an artist I love justice. Thank you so much if you checked out the video!

Just a few of my Gaga favorites…

✨BENOIT: Remembrance premiere🎻

So incredibly grateful to have been asked the honor to premiere David Benoit’s violin concerto ‘Remembrance’. I joined his orchestra as an 8-year old with my violin teacher - Gail Gerding, on the first day of rehearsals, pointing out every measure in William Tell Overture to help me keep up with David’s brisk tempo. The next 8 years in that orchestra completely shaped me into musician I am today, the music I enjoy and want to play, and the belief that versatility is nothing but an asset. Thank you David for the countless opportunities and musical memories to keep forever. 🎶

💐 Thank you so, so, so much to friends and family who came and supported 💕

📸: Bob Young Photography

🎼: ‘Remembrance’ by David Benoit

🎻: Pacific Vision Youth Symphony

 

And you can watch the performance below!

BENOIT: Violin Concerto 'Remembrance' premiere

So excited for this performance on Mother's Day - May 14, 2023 @7pm at James Armstrong Theater. Incredibly honored to get to premiere David Benoit's thrilling concerto 'Remembrance' with one of the first orchestras I ever joined as a young musician!

More information and tickets: https://torrancearts.org/show/a-retrospective-with-pacific-vision-youth-symphony/?fbclid=IwAR2AbwDjTFEvjw4_csY9WrFFqJ9OtvMUfFlTCPy_sGhOhf8DcKSObxrVT_g


until we meet again

 

I cannot believe I get to share this project with everyone! This was a hugely inspirational recording project that I got to work on with some of my greatest friends I have made during my time in Dallas. “Until We Meet Again” is guitarist Anthony Plant ‘s newest album, ten tracks of original music. This was a project that happened largely in the pandemic, and for me it was such a lucky project to have to focus and excite over. The creative recording process was so different from previous experiences, and I just want to do more! A humongous thank you to Anthony for asking me to be a part of this beautiful record.

If you might be interested in my thoughts about the tracks I worked on —

Music Box:

This is my first humming recording debut… I felt like Billie Eilish for a quick shining second as I was layering mini vocal melodies.

Nenu:

This track just might be my favorite on the album. I love the character so much, the energy, and the composing process. I was tasked with a few specific sections, but what stands out to me was the quite daunting task of joining and embellishing the beautiful piano outro, written by the incredible Eymard Furtado. The final product really makes me happy. I think it ended up sounding a bit inspired by the music from La La Land.

Sous le ciel de Paris:

We recorded this with the idea that you just sat down in a cafe somewhere and a duo was playing… Enjoy your coffee and book…

A Girl I Once Knew:

This is my flute recording debut! I was learning both violin and flute quite seriously until college. It was challenging to bring back an instrument I hadn’t played in many years, and then to jump into recording… It was more of a mental challenge than I expected. But I am so grateful to have been given an opportunity to challenge myself and I’m proud of the work I did on it!

The Rock of Salvation

The first line of this track came from a post concert jam somewhere in the US after a concert with the Dallas String Quartet, which is where I met Anthony. I remember geeking out trying to decide what meter we should write it in :) This track is also special because I got to record the duets with Shannon Ward, founder of InTune Music, but to me, someone I consider family at this point.

Thank you to whoever may have taken the time to read this many words from me, and an even bigger thank you if you take the time to check out this very special project.

auf wiedersehen

-edv

"TSAYZANNE"

So excited for an upcoming performance cycle with the Cézanne Quartet and Jonathan Tsay on piano.

We’ll be performing three programs between Dallas and Memphis— a first for myself and my group!!

Click the links below for more information!

Dallas

Memphis

Hope to see you there!