Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Boyd.
Hi Aaron, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I remember seeing a violin case in my home as a very young boy, and being inexplicably drawn to it – I would even wait until the house was quiet and open the case so that I might stare at the beautiful object inside. I cannot explain how, or why, but I seemed to “know” even then, that my whole life belonged to this instrument.
I began lessons at the age of 7 with a wonderful neighborhood violin teacher name Mr. LaRocca who had just retired from insurance sales and was volunteering at the local elementary school Our lessons, which would often run for hours, often included a break for chocolate cake and cold milk, during which time he would tell me stories of the great, golden-age violinists that I still love and admire to this day: Kreisler, Heifetz, Menuhin, Elman… When my father would come to retrieve me, tea and cookies would be served and the conversation would continue. Some of the warmest memories of my life come from those moments…
At the age of 12, I was “graduated” to the premier teacher in Pittsburgh, Eugene Phillips, who had been a violinist in the Pittsburgh Symphony for some 40 years, and was father to two wonderful violinists – Daniel and Todd Phillips, who were celebrated quartet players. Mr. Phillips was an extraordinary artist and man and was a source of lifelong inspiration.
I eventually attended The Juilliard School, where I studied with the celebrated pedagogue Sally Thomas and coached chamber music with other legendary faculty. I graduated at the age of 21, and never looked back. I began my career then.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I often say that I wouldn’t wish my 20s on anyone. They were awful. When I left school, I gave myself 3 years to “make it”, whatever that meant. But, instead, almost nothing happened. I couldn’t seem to get traction anywhere. I even, for a brief period, took a job at a bakery as I had so little to do. It was a truly bewildering time for me, and I recall finally deciding one winter day while trudging through deep snow on Canal Street to play background music at a wedding, that I would sell my violin and find something else to do. I had had enough.
And yet, that very night I received an invitation to play a series of concerts, and from that moment forward, my career began to take off.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I now serve as director of chamber music and chair of strings at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. It is a marvelous position which allows me ample opportunity to mentor, to make music with students and my fellow faculty, as well as to travel and play concerts internationally. I spend my summers at various music festivals which engage me to play and, often, to lecture as well. My interest in the great violinists of the past (which goes back to my chocolate cake and cold milk lesson breaks as a young boy).
My pride is primarily my family – my 14-year-old daughter Ayu, my 7-year-old son Yuki and my beautiful wife, Yuko.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Gratitude. And through my gratitude, happiness. I am an immensely happy man.
Contact Info:
- Website: aaronboydviolin.com
Image Credits
Carlin Ma
