Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Anna Ellsworth
F E A T U R E
Interview with Anna Ellsworth
Were the harp and piano your first instruments? If not, how did you go about picking them?
The piano might've been my first instrument; I started playing the piano around the same time as the violin, but I was so young that I don't remember which one came first.
I didn't start the harp until much later, and the funny thing is that I wasn't the one who was initially interested in it. It all began because my grandpa met a harp teacher and decided he wanted one of his grandchildren to play the harp. And, well, my grandpa is the type of person who gets what he wants. At the time, I was going through a somewhat rebellious phase and was resistant to the idea other people telling me what to do. However, after a couple years of harp lessons, all it took was my mom saying "Fine, if you don't like it, then you can quit" for me to admit that I actually enjoyed playing the harp. So everything worked out very well in the end!
Did you (or do you) play any other instruments?
I started the violin when I was young and played it consistently until the end of high school. Besides that, I can play a little ukulele and dabbled in mallet instruments (marimba, vibraphone, etc.) during high school and college. I also enjoy singing but would not necessarily consider myself a singer.
What was your most memorable music performance?
A performance that I will never forget was playing in the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg with the Orchestra of the Americas. We were playing some amazing repertoire, and it felt like the audience was returning just as much energy as we were giving. After weeks of extensive rehearsals and touring, the positive response from the audience was so reinvigorating.
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
My favorite thing is seeing my students' excitement after they learn a song they enjoy. They all have so much potential and so many skills, so it feels fantastic to help them discover their capabilities!
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
My advice is to record yourself at various points in your musical journey, not for public sharing but for reflection. If you record yourself at the beginning of the process and listen to the recording, say, three months later, you'll hear a much bigger difference than you would if you only listen to your day to day, incremental progress. There is no replacement for consistent practice, but I realize learning and improving can be a frustrating process, especially at the beginning when it seems the like distance to reach your goal is too great to overcome. More than anything, I've found listening to old recordings to be a helpful reminder of how far I've come when I feel stuck or stagnant. Then, usually, I'm motivated to keep working hard!
When you're not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
I enjoy running, drawing, and reading, mostly fantasy and sci-fi. Recently, I've been playing a lot of video games (shoutout to all my free time due to social distancing). I also like travelling, especially solo; I find a lot of happiness in exploring and experiencing new places and things.
Learn more about Anna on her teacher page.
The piano might've been my first instrument; I started playing the piano around the same time as the violin, but I was so young that I don't remember which one came first.
I didn't start the harp until much later, and the funny thing is that I wasn't the one who was initially interested in it. It all began because my grandpa met a harp teacher and decided he wanted one of his grandchildren to play the harp. And, well, my grandpa is the type of person who gets what he wants. At the time, I was going through a somewhat rebellious phase and was resistant to the idea other people telling me what to do. However, after a couple years of harp lessons, all it took was my mom saying "Fine, if you don't like it, then you can quit" for me to admit that I actually enjoyed playing the harp. So everything worked out very well in the end!
Did you (or do you) play any other instruments?
I started the violin when I was young and played it consistently until the end of high school. Besides that, I can play a little ukulele and dabbled in mallet instruments (marimba, vibraphone, etc.) during high school and college. I also enjoy singing but would not necessarily consider myself a singer.
What was your most memorable music performance?
A performance that I will never forget was playing in the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg with the Orchestra of the Americas. We were playing some amazing repertoire, and it felt like the audience was returning just as much energy as we were giving. After weeks of extensive rehearsals and touring, the positive response from the audience was so reinvigorating.
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
My favorite thing is seeing my students' excitement after they learn a song they enjoy. They all have so much potential and so many skills, so it feels fantastic to help them discover their capabilities!
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
My advice is to record yourself at various points in your musical journey, not for public sharing but for reflection. If you record yourself at the beginning of the process and listen to the recording, say, three months later, you'll hear a much bigger difference than you would if you only listen to your day to day, incremental progress. There is no replacement for consistent practice, but I realize learning and improving can be a frustrating process, especially at the beginning when it seems the like distance to reach your goal is too great to overcome. More than anything, I've found listening to old recordings to be a helpful reminder of how far I've come when I feel stuck or stagnant. Then, usually, I'm motivated to keep working hard!
When you're not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
I enjoy running, drawing, and reading, mostly fantasy and sci-fi. Recently, I've been playing a lot of video games (shoutout to all my free time due to social distancing). I also like travelling, especially solo; I find a lot of happiness in exploring and experiencing new places and things.
Learn more about Anna on her teacher page.
