Hi Friend,

As violinists, many of us have spent years learning how to read music, refine our technique, and follow the instructions written on the page.

But what happens when we enter a musical tradition where so much of the knowledge is passed directly from musician to musician?

That's one of the questions at the heart of my newest podcast conversation.

In Episode 5 of The Passion Project: Violin Edition, I'm joined by violinist, composer, educator, and researcher Zoë Aqua, whose work explores klezmer and Transylvanian musical traditions.

Zoë spent two years in Romania studying how traditional musicians learn and transmit their music. But what I found especially interesting was how deeply that experience influenced her own playing.

We talked about learning by ear, questioning familiar technical habits, developing a personal musical voice, and discovering what different traditions can teach us about the violin.

We also explored something close to my heart: how motivation changes over time, and why musical growth doesn't always follow a straight line.

And, of course, we talked about her upcoming album, From the Open Place, releasing November 6.

Listen to our conversation here

Whether you're exploring new musical styles or simply looking for a different perspective on your own practice, I hope this conversation inspires you to listen with fresh ears.

Never stop playing,

Marlene