We were lucky to catch up with Madison Schaefer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Madison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

The biggest issue I have faced in my creative journey as a violist was actually physical. About four and a half years ago I had a very sudden and severe injury to my bow (right) arm while playing in orchestra. I remembered thinking that many musicians face an injury at one point or another in their career and that if I just took a few days to rest, the issue would resolve. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me.
For a month after the initial injury I could not use my right arm at all, even outside of playing! Basic things like brushing my teeth, writing, and typing were suddenly now the job of my non-dominant hand. I began seeing specialists who prescribed rest, ice, heat, and medication to get by. When none of that got me anywhere, I began physical therapy.
In the two years that followed I did multiple rounds of PT, endless testing, chiropractic care, pilates, yoga, and a PRP injection–all of which had their benefits, but none of them helped my arm. I spent countless hours adjusting my viola setup, posture, and technique to compensate for my arm to no avail. I also met with about twenty different doctors and specialists, all of whom could offer no explanation for my injury.
By the time I reached the 3-year anniversary of the injury, I had to take a semester off from working on my DMA at Michigan State University. A performance major who can’t play is not able to make much progress on their degree! I was desperate. One of the specialists I had been working with suggested acupuncture, so even though the idea of it scared me, I gave it a try. At about the same time, I also was given the opportunity to borrow a very small viola from MSU. Also at this time, I finally met with a therapist to sort through the mental and emotional load I had been carrying with this injury. Gradually, things began to improve!
I continued with acupuncture and when my acupuncturist began bringing up inflammation as a key part of my issue, I turned to my diet as another avenue of treatment. I slowly began making swaps away from processed foods to foods that would properly fuel me. This made the biggest difference of all, and in less than a year I was able to return to a normal playing and practice schedule!
I am still playing the lovely, small viola from MSU (I have also commissioned a small one to be made for me, which will be finished this summer!) and I work to lead a healthy lifestyle all around. Doing this has allowed me to continue on my creative journey and has given me the confidence to pursue it, even in the face of significant obstacles. Getting past this injury has also taught me how to rebuild lost playing skills (since I did so several times throughout this process), and how to take a step back from my career and enjoy the many other blessings I have in life.

Madison, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in a small town in the thumb of Michigan where my parents had me begin violin lessons at the age of four. I continued violin until I was about eleven-years-old, at which point I decided change things up and switch to the viola. It was after this switch that I attended my first professional orchestra concert (Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a Neighborhood Park concert) and learned that playing an instrument could actually be a career! I then began pursuing viola more seriously and was ready to make it my career by the time I graduated high school.
I completed undergraduate degrees in music performance and education, and went on to receive both a Masters and a Doctorate in music on the viola. Now, and throughout my education, I have enjoyed a career consisting of both teaching and performing. I do freelance gigging, teach after-school violin classes around Flint through the Sphinx Organization, and am just now opening up availability for private students on both violin and viola.
One of the things I love most about having such a creative career is that I can adjust it as needed to fit my lifestyle at any stage in life. For instance, just as I finished my DMA, my husband and I welcomed a baby boy into our family back in December. Because of this, I am currently putting more time and energy towards the teaching side of my career, which allows me the time and flexibility to pursue my creative endeavors while caring for a baby. As he gets older, it is my plan to gradually shift my career back towards being more performance-focused. Both teaching and performing are fulfilling to me as a musician and I love getting to pursue both while also enjoying being a wife and mother!
As a teacher, my top priority for my students is teaching them the value of their effort. Learning an instrument is never easy, but it is so rewarding, and it is wonderful to watch a student grow and recognize how their efforts have yielded great improvements. I believe that this not only encourages them on their musical journey, but also bolsters their confidence to pursue their goals in all areas of their life!
As a performer, I primarily work in groups (chamber and orchestral), so my focus is always on what I contribute to any given rehearsal and performance. I make sure that I am a reliable colleague in terms of technique, musicality, and preparation, and that I collaborate with my colleagues to bring our music to life. I love diving into music with others, exploring different ideas, and enjoying the creativity that flows when musicians get to work together creatively!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think that one of the most misunderstood aspects of having a creative career (or even hobby!) is the necessity of time. Time is of course useful to everyone, but I believe that especially when pursuing creativity that distraction-free time to do nothing is incredibly valuable. By “time to do nothing,” I mean time away from screens, podcasts/music, work, and the constant business that is life to let the mind wander. It is in these spaces of time that creativity finds its footing and can blossom into something spectacular! A mind that has time to wander has time to create, and I believe that understanding this is vital to creative careers and society at large.
One of my favorite quotes on this subject is from A.A. Milne (author of Winnie-the-Pooh): “Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

That whether I am performing, teaching, or even dealing with the administrative side of my career, no two days are the same! My practice changes depending on my upcoming gigs, auditions, and personal goals. My teaching changes depending on my students’ needs, goals, and energy levels day-to-day. I enjoy the challenge of constantly adapting to ever-changing circumstances. It allows me the privilege of always learning and growing as a musician and a person!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @madisonhilborn
• Facebook: Madison Schaefer

Image Credits

Moments to Remember Photography (main photo only)