Heart of the Orchestra - Orchestra Nova San Diego

Musical Inspirations
Judith Hendershott — I love the challenges of making music – both in conquering the
technical problems and in discovering and bringing forth the spirit of the piece.
Healy Henderson — Having the chance to share my passion for music with people gives
purpose to the years and years of practicing. It allows me to communicate with a very diverse
group of people that I would not have had the chance to meet otherwise.
Mary Alice Hendricks – I perform to connect with others on a level beyond spoken
language. The language of music is easy to understand, for everyone.
Robert Zelickman – It’s in my soul to perform.
David Savage – Music has always seemed to be the most interesting and fun way of putting
my voice, an ongoing project, into a space. I love being a communicating creature in the forest,
connecting with others: listening, responding…finding my way here and there.
Karla Contreras — It’s a great experience to be able to make music with friends and
colleagues that I respect and enjoy working with.
Tricia Lee — Having my first great chamber music experience was a real eye-opener. It was
when I first experienced what it really means to communicate with another musician. There can
be so much joy!
Alexander Palamidis — Every time I get a chance to perform and express myself in a way
that evokes positive emotions in even one person, I feel blessed and happy.
John MacFerran Wilds — I am hopelessly addicted to the heroic/romantic nature of my
instrument. I love to take the ideas of composers and give them life in the present.
Pat Pfiffner — Why does a musician perform? For many, the reason ‘why’ is much simpler
than the ‘how.’ As for me, it’s what I do and who I am.
Andrea Altona — A pushy orchestra conductor accosted me in the halls of my elementary
school, promising me fame and fortune. Then she told me they were all out of flutes and shoved
a violin in my hand. The rest is kind of a blur.
Erin Breene — In live concert situations, the performer has to “give life” to the written notes.
It is an act of spontaneity, creative force and energy. When performers can join together in a
harmonious union, I find that the artistic product is unforgettable.
Susan Barrett — Performing comes easily to me. I love to see people smile and I love to
smile.
Frank Renk— Performing gives me a sense of fulfillment that is hard to get elsewhere.
It is not unlike hitting the game-winning home run; we get that feeling every time we perform.
It is vocation and avocation rolled into one.
Ryan Simmons — I was introduced to music by my dad who had a huge record collection
growing up.
John Lorge — It is impossible to say why I perform. I suppose I have to in some way.
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