Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Shari Ulrich and I have "bumped" into each other any times this past few months. In true musician's spirit I've worn any hats in our dealings.
Our first meeting was of a business nature. She emailed when her violin bow broke and she was seeking to purchase a carbon fibre model from my violin shop in time for a gig. I then contacted Shari under the auspices of the Shuswap Violin Society, a non-profit group promoting fiddle music. Shari was invited to join as an Honourary Lifetime Membership with our group and graciously accepted, adding "Well how can a girl turn that down?!?!? I would be honoured!"
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Soon after I learned our local Music society was hosting a "Songwriter's Cafe" where Shari was joined by John Mann (Spirit of the West), Norman Foote and Babe Gurr. I would ultimately have the opportunity to meet her in someone and don my freelance writer's hat.
After a riveting and very spicy concert Shari and I chatted about music, motherhood, fiddles and other leading stuff.
Rhiannon Schmitt: What was your motivation or a goal you had in mind when you first started playing violin? Had you seen a concert and been inspired or was it simply out of the blue?
Shari Ulrich: I grew up in the Us - in Northern California where music was a schedule in the schools. In Grade 3 we were asked what instrument we wanted to play and given a minuscule demonstration. My girlfriends and I all chose violin so we could be in the class together... Very typical young girl motivation.
Rs: That's interesting, my violin beginnings were approximately exactly the same: a school orchestra schedule in San Diego, California. Now.. To dig out some dirt on you. Did your mother ever have to nag you to practice? Or was music just your special thing you were all the time dedicated to?
Su: Practicing was all the time my nemesis - even today, though I recall doing Lots of it. And yes, from time to time my mother said the same thing to me that I hear myself saying to my daughter - "There's no point in paying for lessons if you're not going to practice". (Which of procedure is True). But in fact, my mother didn't nag me - nor do I nag my daughter - but neither could resist that remark. Later, in my early 20's, I had a period of earnest study for a few years.
Rs: regarding "young girl motivations," I know my violin convention was neglected when I had a boyfriend. Did boys ever get in the way of your music?
Su: Ha! No, I'd say boys have all the time been a great asset to my music because I've virtually all the time had partners who were musicians! But in my juvenile years I don't recall it being a conflict.
Rs: So when did you first decree to come to be a pro musician or did it just happen?
Su: I came to Canada when I was about 19 - searching for what I was supposed to do with my life - my calling. Then I started playing with other musicians - doing this thing that had all the time been So second nature to me that I never belief of it as a career. Then the light went on and I realized Music was My Thing.
Rs: Were there ever times when you didn't think you had what it would take to come to be a pro musician?
Su: No - I've all the time known it to my core. But there have de facto been times that I felt under educated and not a good sufficient sight reader to be a True pro musician, like my partner Bill is, who can sight read and play anything. I have my limitations. But my imagination doesn't.
Rs: What do you do to overcome musical "slumps?"
Su: My slumps have been more getting weary of pushing the rock up the hill, because being a musician means creating your life every particular day. And I had a vision for myself that entailed my music reaching a wider audience than it has because as I got older, my opportunities for manufactures preserve diminished. But knowing to my soul that music is what I'm meant to create and play and breathe has never taken a dip.
Rs: Who was your biggest motivation, violin-wise, when you grew up?
Su: Hmm... I guess Stephan Grappelli though I couldn't play that style - Itzhak Perlman, hmmm... I can't say that I had a role model who inspired me.
Rs: They're two of my idols too, and de facto lofty ones at that! The Juno Award in 1981 for Most Promising Female Artist, did you expect that?
Su: I couldn't say I "expected" it, but I de facto hoped it would happen. Winning is all the time a thrilling experience no matter what it is.
Rs: What went straight through your mind as you suitable it?
Su: How cool it was that Bob and Doug McKenzie presented it! How badly I didn't want to screw up my speech. Rs: What did that award help you perform in years to come, or was it not a big deal to you?
Su: Yes it was a big deal, and looks great in the bio. It enhances opportunities but doesn't guarantee anything.
Rs: You said motherhood was a challenge to balance with your vocation in the early days of infanthood and childhood. How did you balance it all and what helped you straight through those years raising your daughter?
Su: I took Julia anywhere with me - and started touring again when she was 6 weeks old - and worked more in that year than I ever had. It de facto bonded us. So it didn't supervene my work life, but the focus of being a mother is utterly compelling and spicy - there is a choiceless-ness about it.
But I think what is impossible to hang on to is the creative drive that comes from time alone, which is never the same after having a child. The alone time is what drives my creativity, and after a child comes, even if you steal an hour here or there, it is just that - stolen time between duties rather than open ended stream of consciousness uninterrupted time.
Her Dad was a Huge asset to it all working though. I was/is a phenomenal parent and he was totally capable of being the stay at home guy the odd time that I didn't take her - 3, 4, 5 days at a time. He was amazing.
Rs: Julia plays violin and has to study with another instructor and sometimes I think teaching my own son to play violin isn't a good idea. Why do you think children have to study with someone other than a parent?
Su: Oh, I wouldn't retell it as "has to". I just knew that it wouldn't be good for our relationship - or for her opportunity to learn. And we have one of, I think, the best violin teachers on Bowen Island - Alison Nixon.
So I was happy to have her study with someone so great and not have the extra load of looking her straight through studying an instrument. Plus, knowing how to play doesn't mean you're a great teacher, and I don't think I would have been a good teacher.
Rs: If Julia or anyone else you know and care for wanted a life as a pro musician, what would your guidance to them be?
Su: Do it because you Love it. Have a clean ego. Think of the audience as your ally. I know someone who doesn't de facto like to perform because it triggers his insecurity - he feels resentment of the audience - that they are judging him - and who are they to judge him! That's unfortunate.
Be honest and authentic with your unique voice. Don't let "the industry" decree whether you have a career.
Rs: Do you think it's inherent to make a good living in gigging, or would you encourage such an individual to also think teaching or another job as backup?
Su: I think it's good to surrender to it. Which means accepting that there is no real security, but having faith that your talent will provide for you. But teaching is a good back up earnings to have.
Rs: Is it a life only elect individuals have what it takes to make it work?
Su: Hmmm....I'd say so, yes.
Rs: You've been teaching a Lyrics procedure at Ubc. How's that working out?
Su: I Love it. I love the kids - the process - and having my first quarterly paycheck!
Rs: Are you inspecting settling down as a Prof someday and leaving the life of a traveling musician?
Su: I would never want to leave performing live, and couldn't imagine that ever being necessary. But I'd love to keep doing this job for awhile! I can't see myself ever de facto settling for just one path.
Rs: Finally, tell me about your violin or violins.
Su: It's a German violin that I picked up in Victoria when my childhood one was stolen on route to my first Valdy and the Hometown Band gig in Victoria - it had been given to me by a Great Aunt when I'd won a smalls scholarship in Grade 7. It broke my heart, and I still crusade for it in stores.
For many years I played a white Barcus Berry electric. quarterly body, but it sounded pretty grim acoustically. Then I went back to my "real" violin when I realized how much better it sounded.
Rs: What would your dream violin sound like?
Su: Hmmm - like the one I play. My dream would be more about my own playing and tone. My dream would be to be a better player and be able to make any violin sound heartbreakingly beautiful.
Rs: Shari, you're so great! Thank you for being an inspiration to so many and for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. I hope we see each other again soon.
additional reading In Conversation with Juno Award-Winning Canadian Fiddler Shari Ulrich
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