We were lucky to catch up with Violet Vonder Haar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Violet, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have always had an inner knowing that music would be a big part of my life path. In first grade, I was asked to list three things I wanted most. My wish list was: 1) Dance Lessons 2) Singing Lessons and 3) My own room.

I eventually received 2 of those three wishes. I could still use some dance lessons.

Fast forward to my senior year of high school, I was trying to decide what I wanted to study in college. I was afraid that if I chose music as a career, it would kill some of the joy within it and make it more of a “job”. So I toyed with the idea of becoming a graphic designer. At this time, i had the opportunity to be a “shadow teacher” for my then music teacher. She was near retirement and was overjoyed to have someone helping in the elementary classroom. After a couple months in, she gave me full control of the classroom. Up until that point, I never saw myself teaching. But, it turned out, I really loved it, and found I had far more patience for it than I suspected.

It wasn’t until I was offered a music scholarship that I made the final decision to study music in college. After I graduated in 2010, with a music education degree from Central Methodist University, I had made the decision to jump more fully into becoming a “self-employed” musician. Between teaching private music lessons during the week and touring during the weekend, I began to find my rhythm (pun intended) and knew that choosing music as a career was the right choice. Yes, it was my “job”, but it has never felt like a job. I love playing, teaching, promoting and writing music. That love has never wavered and I am grateful for the many ways I get to weave music within my life and professional career.

Violet, 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?

To be honest, it was hard to decide what “hat” I should be wearing for this interview. Currently, I identify as a Music Teacher and Mentor at ‘Violet’s Songbird Studio’, Programs Director at ‘Compass Inc.’, a non-profit music organization, Director of Music Ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia, and lastly, musician and singer-songwriter. Music has continually placed me in roles of leadership I never could have imagined myself being in.

Pre-Pandemic, I was an active touring musician with my band, Violet and the Undercurrents. I loved the adventure of tour, the thrill of playing to a new crowd in a new town each night and sharing my love of music wherever I went. I did not love, however, the unpredictable hours, the heavy lifting (both literally and metaphorically), and the amount of energetic and monetary output it took to make a tour happen, oftentimes without receiving a return on that investment. The forced time away from the industry at the beginning of the pandemic, gave me distance and time to reflect on all the systems we were participating in and gave me a chance to be more intentional about what systems I put myself back into, and which ones I wish to rebuild myself.

When I was a senior in High School, my father took me to the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL. I fell in love with the community music school concept, and the idea of a music school where folks who didn’t fit into the standard classical music world, could still come to enjoy and learn music. They had (and still have) group classes, jams, lessons, concerts and more. That was the first time I remember the spark of the dream. I wanted to bring something like that back to Columbia. That dream always seemed so big, and far out of reach. But in the spring of 2021, however, as we (my wife Phylshawn Johnson and I) were dreaming into the life we wanted to create moving out of the great hibernation, a building in downtown Columbia was brought to our attention. When we toured the building, we knew it was the right place for our music center. It was as if there was this plan that was made clear to us all of a sudden, and everything just began to align. The right people started appearing at the right time and place. A month after taking the leap of faith and signing the lease on this building, we received a $222,700 grant from Veterans United Foundation to cover the cost of construction and remodeling. We announced a capital campaign and raised over $60,000 from our community to help cover start up costs.

We opened our doors on June 3, 2022 with a mayoral proclamation. Since that day, we have hosted a Songwriting Camp, our annual Compass Music Camp, several concerts with touring artists, youth and adult open mics, a master class taught by touring artist Crys Matthews on the art of Social Justice Songwriting, have formed an Intergenerational Rock Band Choir, have hosted monthly music classes for children ages 3-8, provided a safe space for young bands to rehearse, presented educational programming for the MO High Steppers, have slowly been building our private lesson program and more. It’s hard to believe we are nearing 6 months since opening our doors. We are proud of the work we have done, the programs we have presented, the concerts we have hosted and look forward to growing the musical community in mid-Missouri at the music center.

During the time we were dreaming up the music center in the summer of 2021, I was approached by Rev. Molly Housh Gordon at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia (UUCC) with an offer to step in as their Director of Music Ministry. This was not an easy decision for me to make. Never, had I ever, seen myself in the role as a music director at a church. Being a queer woman from small town Missouri, the church and I did not have the best relationship. But something was different about the UUCC. Once I got past the triggers, I realized this was a place I could and wanted to work and be in. We are a community practicing radical welcome and deep connection in the spirit of courageous love.

Among my roles at Compass and UUCC, I also see 25-30 students each week, teaching them guitar, ukulele, piano, voice and songwriting. I look forward to getting back to making my own music, and am hoping to get back into the studio to record this winter.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think being a self-employed full-time creative forces you to lean deeply into trust and surrender. There are no contracts and no set monthly income. But, music has always led the way and taken me to places I never thought I could go, it has put food on my table, brought me my most meaningful relationships and deep joy in my heart. Wearing the many hats I do keeps things interesting and has me on a path of continued learning and growing. I think this way of being doesn’t have to be exclusive to creatives however. I think when we let go of control, listen to our intuition, lean into trust, and always move from a space of love and gratitude, the universe has a way of making things work out.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

It is interesting to now be in a space of not only playing shows, but also booking and promoting them as Programs Director. I can’t speak for other art forms, but I can say, one of the most important things you can do for touring musicians is to buy the presale tickets! Come to the shows, buy the merch and then spread the word on social media. It is becoming increasingly harder for musicians to be able to make a living on the road, and taking those steps to help add a little financial security for both artists and venues, is what can and will help to keep live music alive and thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.compasscolumbia.org
• Instagram: @compasscolumbia
• Facebook: @compasscolumbia
• Youtube: @compasscolumbia

Image Credits
Stephen Bybee Maya Bell Jacquelyn Bell