Meet Natalia
My violin journey started at the young age of 5 when my mom asked me at Sunday school during the music class which instrument I wanted to play. I remember that moment so vividly like it was just yesterday. Imagine a tiny stage and a small orchestra performing in front of the children. I don't remember what they played, but I remember how mesmerized I was, looking at the violins. And I did not have any doubt in my mind that I want to play violin, it should have been violin and only violin.
I finished formal music education at the P. Tchaikovsky School of Music in Russia and graduated in 2000. That was 9 years of extensive training that included Music Theory, Solfege, Music Literature, Ensemble, Choir, Second Instrument studies (which was piano in my case). I was a very promising student, and my teachers prepared me to pursue further music studies and expected me to go through auditions for the Conservatory / University level. That meant that I was playing a more advanced program than any of my peers and that I had to undergo substantial training in my specialty discipline. While that was extremely challenging, I did very well considering that at the same time I studied at the Lyceum (for a regular school studies). It is not unusual in Eastern Europe for children to go to 2 schools simultaneously. Some choose sports (gymnastics, figure skating, etc.), some - music schools. Both institutions allow scheduling the classes accordingly.
However, I gave up the idea of continuing with music studies, because in my teens I decided to pursue a Finance major and, as a result, gave up music completely after graduation.
I got my Masters in Money, Banking and Finance from the top-10 UK University, lived in London for 5 years, worked in Finance extensively since 2010 (and up to this day), moved to America in 2015 and after all these major life changes, I finally picked up the violin in 2020 and honestly, I am not planning to let it go anytime soon.
I successfully underwent a refresher Music Theory and Solfege courses in 2022.
Currently, I play in the Bel Canto family Orchestra (Sinfonietta DuPage) and just finished my 6th Season with them with a fantastic concert.
I also have a mentor who helps me with my music studies. She taught me back at the music school since the age of 6 all the way through to the graduation, and I am fortunate enough to have her in my life again (which she says she didn't expect, but I know that she expected me to pick up the violin - nobody goes through the extensive studies and forgets it completely).
Aside from playing the violin, I enjoy the outdoors and love hiking and exploring places. I also enjoy spending time with my new family and fur babies Ozzy the cat and Eclipse the dog. I actively post my adventures and everything that happens in my life on my Instagram @NataliaTheViolinist. However, I decided that it will be mostly about my lifestyle that, of course, includes violin. I don't want it to be dry, boring and only about my violin journey. I want it to be about everything that interests me and what others can find useful too.
If you are interested in booking a lesson with me, please visit the Plans & Pricing page.
