21-year-old Natasha Young doesn't rap, sing, or dance - she plays the violin. Sure, classical music may not be at the top of the charts and you'll hardly ever hear it on the radio, but, all that aside, there is a distinct buzz about the young phenom's concert scheduled for Saturday at the Bliss Center. We caught up with her at rehearsals today to find out what she does to make the violin sing.
Natasha Young, Violinist
"I play music. I am musician. I am studying at the University of North Florida and I'm majoring in violin study. That's what I do, make music."
Music - it's how Natasha Young has been communicating even before she could speak in full sentences. True enough, Natasha Young learnt about the bow and strings of a violin before she learn her abc's. As the daughter and granddaughter of musicians - Natasha says she was a child of music.
Natasha Young,
"My family has always been very supportive of me, especially my grandfather and my dad. They are very supportive of the arts and from an early age I was introduced to classical music and I grew up in it so my family is really supportive of it. I started the violin at age 4. My dad taught me how to play. It was something I did as a hobby. I really liked it and then I decided that I really wanted to take it seriously so I took it to another level."
That will be on the big stage at the Bliss on Saturday Night where the 21 year old music standout will headline a classical concert alongside her mentor - master violinist Dr. Simon Shino. Today they were both at one of the last practice sessions before the show. Natasha says there is more to her classical sounds than just plying the strings of her violin. It is an art; it is also hard work. But all this is her labor of love for that art.
Natasha Young,
"It is hard work. You have to have coordination, you're playing with your right hand and your left hand, it takes a lot of practice to get a nice sound and that's where the practice comes in; repetition and just keep practicing everyday. After you've learnt a technical piece and you put in all the hard work its about performing it; it's the joy. I mean yes it's a lot of hard work and dedication but I mean music is really about expressing yourself. The violin is such beautiful instrument and you can express so much in your playing. It's all about communicating with your audience; whether the music is sad or happy you want to portray that to your audience and you want your audience to feel what you're feeling while playing. It's all about the communication and also about listening and enjoying what you're doing. You have to play from the heart and you have to enjoy what you're doing so yes it is fun."
She is currently studying music at the University of North Florida. This is her first major hometown concert and it will be another achievement for Natasha who was mastering the violin at age 4 and piano at age 7.
Natasha Young,
"I'm in the orchestra over at UNF. We also have a quartet, which is four members, and we play for weddings and different occasions. We also receive private lessons under that Dr. Shino so it's a lot of music that I cover throughout a semester, lot of performances, but it's worth it in the end. I'm happy that Belizeans are starting to really play closer attention to the arts. It's a nice feeling to feel that they appreciate it. It's going to be a very nice concert. A lot of different areas we are going to explore, for example the double base, I don't anyone has ever seen a virtuous bass player and she is an amazing player. Dr. Simon Shino is an excellent violinist. He has a lovely program planned and I will also be playing a Mozart Concerto so it's going to be a great concert."
Young's performance will be the second installment of the Institute of Creative Art's Masters' Concert Series. Saturday night's show begins 7 pm at the Bliss Center. Tickets are on sale at the box office.
And if you're wondering who those famous parents that we referred to in the story are: Natasha Young is the daughter of Colville Young Jr. and the grand-daughter of the Governor General Sir Colville Young.
