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Sharon Isbin
Sharon Isbin created Juilliard's guitar department when she arrived at the
School in 1989. A native of Minneapolis who holds degrees from Yale, Isbin has
commissioned and premiered new works from major composers and appeared as
soloist with more than 140 orchestras worldwide. Her 2001 Grammy award was the
first won by a classical guitarist in 28 years. Isbin has made numerous
recordings and also directs National Public Radio's Guitarjam and a
performance series at the 92nd-Street Y.
When did you first know you wanted to be a musician and how did you come to
know it?
I first studied piano for a moment, then classical guitar, starting lessons in
Italy at age 9 during my family's sabbatical year there (with very brief and
uninspired forays later to clarinet and French horn). But it was the guitar
that captured my imagination. When I performed with the Minnesota Orchestra at
14 after winning their concerto competition, I decided that making music for
thousands of people was even more fun than building and launching my model
rockets laden with payloads of worms and grasshoppers, and that I would
abandon science for a career as a concert guitarist.
Who was the teacher or mentor who most inspired you when you were growing
up and what did you learn from that person?
After a year in Italy, I studied with Jeffrey Van in Minneapolis until 16. As
a teenager, I spent five summers at the Aspen Festival studying with Oscar
Ghiglia, and another with Alirio Diaz in Banff. Each inspired me to pursue
deeper levels of musicianship, with Diaz leading me to fall in love with
Latin-American music. I also had occasional lessons with Andrés Segovia, whose
magical tone left an everlasting impression. In college, I began a 10-year
period of study of Baroque performance practice with Rosalyn Tureck—her
brilliant analytical mind, knowledge, discipline and artistry added dimensions
to my playing I could never have envisioned on my own.
What was the first recording (LP, CD, etc.) that you ever bought? What was
its significance to you?
I remember listening to the Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez
as a child almost every night before I went to sleep. It was my dream to be
able to perform it.
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| Sharon Isbin (right) with the late Rosalyn Tureck in July 1980 at Oxford University, England. |
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What's the most meaningful experience you've had as a performer?
I performed on September 11, 2002, at Ground Zero for the internationally
televised memorial accompanying the reading of the names of those who
perished. When I sat on the stage and looked out onto the sea of over 24,000
family members and survivors who came that day, many holding up photos of
their lost loved ones, I knew this would be one of the most powerful and
meaningful experiences of my life. Since that time, at the end of each
concert, I reference the event and play an encore from that sad morning.
Dozens who've lost friends and family in the tragedy, and many others, have
told me how much that has meant to them. I see my role as a musician now as
much more that of a healer.
If you could have your students visit any place in the world, where would
it be, and why?
The Amazon rain forest—or Greece, if they hate bugs. Both are truly magical.
What are your non-music interests or hobbies? What would people be
surprised to know about you?
I love hiking in the mountains, trekking in rain forests, snorkeling in coral
reefs, jogging. Beneath my seemingly put-together exterior, I'm really a
fun-loving nut … but maybe people know that already.
What is your proudest accomplishment in life?
Learning how to snorkel in deep water even though I can't swim … and winning
that Grammy.
What's the most satisfying aspect of teaching for you?
Seeing talented students apply my guidance in creative ways to develop
wonderful new ideas and innovations.
What's the most frustrating aspect of teaching for you?
When someone is too stubborn to listen and to open their mind to new
directions. Fortunately, that doesn't happen too often.
What "words of wisdom" can you offer young people entering the field today?
You must love playing music and performing so much that you don't view
anything to achieve it as a sacrifice. Take pleasure in the journey, because
we never really reach the destination. Nurture your unique voice and
creativity, your curiosity; live a full life so that you have something to
say, and always seek the next, deeper level.
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