I realize that I may not have fully acknowledged a significant aspect of my life: music. I began playing the viola in third grade and participated in school orchestras throughout my early years. My passion for music led me to minor in it during my time at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio. There, I also studied viola at the Cleveland Institute of Music and participated in various musical ensembles.
During my twenties in the Cleveland area, I had the privilege of playing viola with the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra, conducted by Hyman Chandler, who also served as my teacher. Subsequently, I performed with the Cleveland Philharmonic for several years. While working at the Cleveland Clinic, I formed a chamber ensemble that played at various events.
In 1998, after my move to Cincinnati, I played with the Fairfield-Hamilton Symphony and taught viola and violin. Later, when I relocated to the Washington, D.C. area, I continued to play viola with the Friday Morning Music Club and other ensembles.
In 2008, I experienced a fall down a flight of stairs that resulted in a neck injury, which sadly forced me to stop playing the viola. Four years later, I attempted to play the violin— a smaller, more manageable instrument— and have enjoyed playing it since 2012.
I have taken private lessons from Deb Stotelmyer at Hagerstown Community College and attended their string ensemble. I spent a couple of years at the Cumberland Valley School of Music at Wilson College, PA. In 2014, I joined the Frederick Symphony Orchestra, Frederick, MD, as second violin under the direction of Elise Koehler, and later, Glenn Quadar. I played with the FSO for approximately six years. During that time, my colleagues and I formed a string quartet named "Eklektika," and we participated in their outreach program at local libraries, performing violin during storytelling sessions for children and various groups. I left FSO in 2020. I am pleased to share that as of 2026, I have rejoined the Frederick Symphony Orchestra.
Here are some of the events that FSO's Eklektika performed:
Children's Story Time Music at the Library:
Middletown Public Library:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0HTL-kv8A0
Halloween:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpFG0sCV_04
Holiday Christmas music:
Part I - FCC ILR event
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeE20cpfY6E&list=RDaeE20cpfY6E&start_radio=1
Part II - FCC ILR event
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRwLb4GXC48&list=RDLRwLb4GXC48&start_radio=1
GREEK EVENTS:
I have also played Greek music at a March 25th function by H.S. Prometheas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoAMzESn1ts&list=RDSoAMzESn1ts&start_radio=1
Visit my Youtube channel for more of my playing:
Agni Parthene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpEtXUt4I1w
Holy Friday Lamentations (Eggomia) Stasis 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-UG8u_2xHw
Holy Friday Lamentations (Eggomie) Stasis 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiobOYVKPT4
Holy Friday Lamentations (Eggomia) Stasis 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF_vI1SBU-4
Finally, I have created my own music (either by playing it on the piano or using Noteflight to publish it) and set several of the music to my poems. Visit my Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJLi0C27uK4&list=PLd-nrCmM2lxAihOkfnxR2tmA1k9lfbI1S
I hope you enjoy listening to them!
Until next time,
Patty
