Today we’d like to introduce you to Joenne Dumitrascu.

Hi Joenne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I trained as a classical musician from a young age, I started playing violin and piano as a kid, and also attended theater programs. So I’ve always had a love for music and theater/film. After precollege training, I went through the academic system, starting with an undergrad from the RCM, then attended Berklee College in Boston for grad school. In between I also attended other short-term programs. I always say that there is no such thing as learning too much. So, parallel to already being a fully working musician, I decided to pursue a doctorate degree. Of course I wanted to train with the esteemed, nine-time Grammy winning Emerson String Quartet so that narrowed down the universities I was applying to, but I also wanted to expand my academic studies. So I completed my doctorate at SUNY Stony Brook just outside NYC. It was my first time attending school outside of a performing arts conservatory, so I really dug into different subjects and courses from what I’d done before. Along the way, I’ve been lucky to have met a lot of people who’ve helped either as mentor, friends, coaches, or just someone to take advice from. Honestly, that’s how I’ve become involved in many of the projects I’ve done.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

(LOL) Not at all, I don’t think any artist’s road is smooth. But I think the nature of the journey is not meant to be linear, and that’s, in many ways, what inspires our artistic work, builds character and discipline. I think the toughest part is that there’s no blueprint to achieving a professional career in music. I created my own blueprint along the way, and it’s constantly changing. And I love that! But it’s not something that you can replicate with someone else’s artistic journey. I like to be inspired by other artists and take advice from those who have walked this path before, and along with the practical skills I learned in music school and college and other training programs I’ve attended, I’ve custom built my career little by little.
In terms of specific events, the pandemic was the biggest challenge. It really took the whole world by storm and turned it upside down for every industry. So I had to make a lot of adjustments, from learning how to put on online performances to editing to marketing. A lot of skills that I’d had a brush with in college that I never had to put into practice until the lockdown began. But I was also able to turn that time into a positive learning experience. I began writing more, for one thing, experimented with different software, worked on interdisciplinary outdoor projects, really forced myself to think outside the box.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I spent a large part of my career performing – from solo, chamber music, symphonic orchestra, pit orchestra, and back-up musician. I’ve probably covered every form of stage performance as a musician, so naturally that’s one of my comfort zones. My second comfort zone is working as a session musician. My first session gig was with the Screen Composers Guild of Canada for a few years while I was studying at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto, Canada, then came my first film work with Atom Egoyan’s 2009 ‘Chloe.’ Around the same time I played in pit orchestras, mainly for the National Ballet of Canada and auxiliary projects. Working now on writing more of my own music and music arranging. I’d say my third comfort zone is teaching and coaching. I’ve been doing it for well over a decade, and there’s no greater fulfillment than being able to pass on what I’ve Iearned to the next generation of musicians.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joennedumitrascu.com
• Instagram: @joenne_dumitrascu
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoenneDumitrascuOfficialPage/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joennedumitrascu
• Twitter: @JDumitrascu

Image Credits

Pierre Lidar Photography

Alison Lim Photography

Oh Story Photography

Carnegie Hall