Meet Zoe Willingham | Violinist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zoe Willingham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zoe, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I am currently a student at the Jacobs School of Music pursuing my dream of becoming a performer. Somehow, I always knew that’s what I wanted to do ever since I started the violin at age 11. Within the first few months of playing I dedicated hours and hours to learning pieces that were way too advanced for me at the time just because I loved the music and the instrument so much. Even now, I can have a full schedule of rehearsals, lessons, practice and more and not feel like I’m working. Rather, I’m having fun because I’m pursuing what I love. I think that’s the main reason why I decided to follow my dreams rather than keep music as a hobby. I feel fulfilled when I am giving a performance or when some concept I am teaching finally breaks through to a student.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am in the process of learning and honing my skills, so I am most excited about fulfilling my dreams in the future. I have gotten to this point in my short career through hard work. I didn’t have a private tutor until four years after I started the violin. During that time I would challenge myself to learn new techniques and pieces through YouTube videos, and I would give my all to learning orchestra pieces, taking solo opportunities, and being a leader for my peers. When I did eventually have private instructors, I had to reverse some of the bad habits I didn’t know about previously. That period of time was a challenge because it’s much harder to unlearn something you’ve done for so long, and at one point I injured myself because of it. Despite the challenges and frustrations, I kept working hard to improve my technique, and it benefited me in the long run. I feel that these experiences set me apart as a musician and an instructor. Unlike most musicians, I did not start early in age with an instructor, so the importance of learning things the right way the first time is so important to me. As a result, I emphasize proper technique and strive for comfort and injury prevention in my students. I will not bypass something a student does that could be potentially harmful to them or that will hinder their technique in the future.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Unfortunately, before I moved I wasn’t able to truly explore all the great activities Atlanta has to offer. For someone who has never lived in the area, I would take them to the most notable places such as Piedmont Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca-Cola. Of course, I would take them to see a concert by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as well, and there are a lot of different restaurants in the area that we could try together. One place that I have gone that I’m sure my friend would enjoy is a nice little bakery called Sweet Hut in downtown Atlanta.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Much of my growth is attributed to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program. All of the members, my peers, and my teachers created a fantastic environment for learning and skyrocketed my playing ability and musicianship.

Website: http://zoeimanimusic.carrd.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe.violin/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-willingham-ba7bb2202/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zoeimanimusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWoSy_ktUir6w0nLxz2uGVg

Image Credits
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra