Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Yvonne Cox
F E A T U R E
Interview with Yvonne Cox
When did you first get interested in music?
I am lucky to come from a musical family. When all of my siblings began learning to play the piano, I knew I had to learn as well. After a few years of piano, I began playing the harp! My story is unusual for this instrument. It was a family instrument! My aunt was the previous Principal Harpist of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and my cousin played; after her, my sister started learning the instrument, and since it was in my living room, I wanted to play as well!
What do you like most about teaching?
I love the creativity that comes with teaching! Seeing the spark in my student’s eyes when they can put a concept into realization through a game we have created together is such a joy for me!
Who/what are some of your musical influences?
There are so many wonderful musicians to listen to and serve as inspiration for my life. In the summer of 2013, I attended the Idyllwild Arts Academy, and a wildfire broke out. We had to evacuate, only coming back together a few days later to perform Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This piece inspired me to have a career in music. My childhood consisted of listening to Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. Right now, I am currently inspired by artists like Chappell Roan, Remi Wolf, Renne Rap, Olivia Rodrigo, and Laura Mvula. I strongly believe that as musicians, we should take inspiration from across all genres and experiences of music!
What do you do to get out of a practice funk?
To get out of a practice funk, I try to go somewhere to see something or hear something that inspires me. When I practice anything by Debussy, I like to wander the Claude Monet collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, and then I imagine my piece as the newest painting in the collection! This week, I have practiced Stravinsky excerpts alongside techno music to put me in a groove for that particular section of music. Sometimes, I just sit at my instrument and start the piece I want to work on, but I play it any way I feel like, just to get my fingers moving.
When you’re not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
Many of my hobbies and interests all live in the world of art. I go see concerts of any genre whenever I am able to and go see exhibits at art museums. I love hosting dinners for my friends when we have time to get together and pretending to be a celebrity chef!
Learn more about Yvonne on her Teacher Page.
I am lucky to come from a musical family. When all of my siblings began learning to play the piano, I knew I had to learn as well. After a few years of piano, I began playing the harp! My story is unusual for this instrument. It was a family instrument! My aunt was the previous Principal Harpist of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and my cousin played; after her, my sister started learning the instrument, and since it was in my living room, I wanted to play as well!
What do you like most about teaching?
I love the creativity that comes with teaching! Seeing the spark in my student’s eyes when they can put a concept into realization through a game we have created together is such a joy for me!
Who/what are some of your musical influences?
There are so many wonderful musicians to listen to and serve as inspiration for my life. In the summer of 2013, I attended the Idyllwild Arts Academy, and a wildfire broke out. We had to evacuate, only coming back together a few days later to perform Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This piece inspired me to have a career in music. My childhood consisted of listening to Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. Right now, I am currently inspired by artists like Chappell Roan, Remi Wolf, Renne Rap, Olivia Rodrigo, and Laura Mvula. I strongly believe that as musicians, we should take inspiration from across all genres and experiences of music!
What do you do to get out of a practice funk?
To get out of a practice funk, I try to go somewhere to see something or hear something that inspires me. When I practice anything by Debussy, I like to wander the Claude Monet collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, and then I imagine my piece as the newest painting in the collection! This week, I have practiced Stravinsky excerpts alongside techno music to put me in a groove for that particular section of music. Sometimes, I just sit at my instrument and start the piece I want to work on, but I play it any way I feel like, just to get my fingers moving.
When you’re not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
Many of my hobbies and interests all live in the world of art. I go see concerts of any genre whenever I am able to and go see exhibits at art museums. I love hosting dinners for my friends when we have time to get together and pretending to be a celebrity chef!
Learn more about Yvonne on her Teacher Page.