We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Duncan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hannah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I knew I wanted to do music ever since I was eight years old. I performed at a summer festival I was participating in at the main stage concert everyone attended. I was incredibly nervous to play and didn’t want to at first. My parents knew I liked the violin and encouraged me to still go through with the performance even though the butterflies in my stomach said otherwise. After I performed, I saw the stage lights beaming, heard the roar of the crowd, and the adrenaline rush was all I needed to confirm that performing is what I wanted to do.
Hannah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a classical violinist! I’m currently pursuing my Master’s at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and have my Bachelor’s in Violin Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. I’m very proud that I have been able to work my way to these prestigious schools from the small town I grew up in Iowa. Through countless hours practicing and learning from my mentors, teachers, and colleagues I’ve been able to travel the world because of music. I’ve been to South America, Asia, Europe, and across the United States to play and learn music from some of the greatest musicians. One of my highlights this past year was traveling to London to play with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) as a Keston MAX fellow. Playing in an orchestra is my dream career, as I think they are some of the most talented group of musicians, so to play alongside the LSO was very inspirational.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
One of the most rewarding experiences being a musician is after a performance someone from the audience tells you how moved they were from your music. To see and hear from someone that a product such as my music that I’ve created and spent so much time on, made someone feel a certain way is unlike any other feeling. Most recently, I’ve also discovered that teaching music has been just as equally rewarding. I try not to take too much credit for my students hard work, but when I see them progress so much from the knowledge I share with them it’s incredible to see.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Thankfully my journey has been quite smooth. I’m not the type of person that lets anyone drag me down or lets criticism become personal. I’ve always had a drive for music, have always found a way to make it work, and never let something or someone ruin it for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hmdviolin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmdviolin/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/hmdviolin
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-duncan-630099191
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCszD1gHZ1uAxv9_2kyAShQA?view_as=subscriber
- Other: http://tl.page/hannah-d211 https://linktr.ee/hmdviolin
Image Credits
Mark Allan