Having just done a pre-wedding walk-around of Rye with a charming couple whose wedding we will be photographing soon, we came unexpectedly upon the strains of a Bach gigue echoing up the streets near St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon. An investigation was necessary and that’s when we discovered Sophia, who interrupted her playing whilst we found out more.
When did you start playing music – and has it always been the violin?
I’d like to say that I’ve always been playing music. I don’t think that there was ever a time in my life where I wasn’t interpreting life in a musical sense. However, I started taking violin lessons when I was five years old and decided to take up piano as a second instrument when I was fourteen.
You were playing a piece of Bach when we first heard you. Why do you like it so much?
When we met I was playing the Gigue from Bach’s Partita No. 2. It’s a fun and light-hearted movement of the piece and I figured it would be appropriate for busking as it’s a dance piece. Gigue is the French name for jig. I’ve been playing the whole of the Bach Partita (excluding the Chaconne) for five years. I would learn a movement and then take a break from it for about a year or two and then come back to it with new eyes, ears, hands, heart and understanding. The four movements of this Partita are what I call a “forever piece”: something that you will be reshaping and reimagining for the rest of your life and I think that is incredibly special.
Where are you studying now?
In September I will be entering my sophomore year studying at Oberlin Conservatory of Music; I am beyond grateful to be a student there. It is a fantastic place and you can’t get what you get at Oberlin anywhere else in the world.
What do you want to do in the future?
In the future I would like to work in a professional symphony orchestra, like the London Symphony. I hope to create a chamber music group as well. I would love to explore the many opportunities for neo-classical and world music ideas to be implemented in that setting. I’m also quite interested in music in film, specifically the topic of how integral it is to the final product and how diversely music can enhance the experience of a film.
What brought your parents to Rye?
To quote those we’ve met who also live here: “Rye is a very nice place to live.” And that rings true. They were looking for a change of pace and somewhere with more travel opportunities. We’re quite happy here.
When will you be busking and where and times etc?
I tend to be flexible with when and where I busk, but most of the time I’m somewhere on the high street on Thursday through Sunday from the hours of 12pm-5pm.
Tell me a little about your repertoire and how you will change it.
Currently I’m playing about an hour and a half set of a mix of Irish and English folk music, American bluegrass, and Bach. I hope to continue to add more Irish and English folk tunes as the summer progresses. For me it will be a lot of going back and relearning tunes. For the majority of my childhood I was playing and focusing on folk music. I was very lucky to live right up the street from a fantastic local player named Ken Gehret, he taught me everything I know about folk music and I would not be the musician I am without his guidance.
What is your favourite place in the world?
My current favourite place is the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve! I went there for the first time recently with my mom to go birdwatching, and needless to say I think I’ve found one of my new favourite places. I love any beach really, someplace quiet.
Who inspired you to play music?
My dad! Growing up, and still, he was always playing music whether it be guitar or upright bass. Not to mention, music was always on. A silent house meant no-one was home. He introduced me to every type of music under the sun and I’m so grateful for that. He is the reason I picked up the violin in the first place. Not because he wanted me to be a musician, but because he already was one and I just so happened to tag along for everything. I’m extremely lucky that he saw it in me and encouraged it because I loved it.
What do you hate or what annoys you?
Surprisingly enough, and quite weirdly, I hate sudden loud noises. But then again I’ve never met anyone who relishes them either.
What do you enjoy doing when not playing music?
I’m a huge lover of science fiction! In my free time I can most likely be found watching or reading some type of sci-fi material. I’m very interested in the hyper-analysis of sci-fi, the history of it, multiple philosophies, its many sociological endeavours, ethics, reflections on humanity, how we can use it to better understand ourselves, etc. It’s something, besides music, that I can really sink my teeth into. I also really enjoy nature and travelling! I love going on hikes, exploring new places; going on “little adventures” as my family calls them.
Do support this young musician who brightens up the streets of Rye both musically and with her sparkling personality: you won’t be disappointed.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .