Sweet Summertime

This summer has been most excellent in many ways.

1. I have adored spending time with my family.  I have always had such a good relationship with my little brothers, and being away at school did nothing to diminish our bond.  They were happy to see me, and we have had wonderful adventures together this summer.  They are both taller than me now!  This is something of an adjustment - but I will always be the oldest.

2. It has been nice to stop and rest a bit.  The school year was absolutely crazy!  I have enjoyed having a little time to myself.

3.  Credo.  I absolutely love my camp, and this year I was old enough to be a counselor!  I was able to work more closely with the Peter and Vicky Slowik because of my counselor status, and I learned invaluable lessons in logistics, planning, people skills, and compassion.  I was also blessed to be part of an excellent quartet at Credo, playing Mendelssohn's Eb Major quartet.  We named ourselves "Aestas," which means "summer" in Latin.  Appropriate, yes?  We played beautifully together.

The other counselors were all excellent musicians, and I was fortunate to spend such quality time with them.  We are the future of classical music, and I am sure we will all be in close touch throughout the years.  The contacts we make now will stay with us and be useful forever.

 I was blessed by my two chamber coaches, Dr. Stephen Clapp (dean emeritus of Juilliard), and Anne Martindale Williams (principal cellist of the Pittsburg Symphony).  They were both encouraging and helpful.  I also had lessons with Mrs. Williams, and with Bryan Dumm (cellist in the Cleveland Orchestra).  I worked with Stuart Pincomb, a baroque cellist, and had a chamber masterclass with Marilyn Macdonald (violin professor at Oberlin Conservatory).  Everyone was kind, professional, and extremely helpful.  It was an incredible experience.

All the kids were precious, as well!  They were extremely well behaved, which was great for the stress level of the counselors!  I enjoyed working with them, and they became dear friends.

The camp ended with a stunning performance of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony in Severance Hall.  I fell in love with that hall!  It was so amazing to play such a beautiful symphony with dear friends in such a phenomenal concert hall.

So, if any of you are interested in a chamber-intensive camp that focuses on Developing the gift, Acknowledging the Source, and Responding in service, Credo is the best place in the entire world!