Born of a classical singer and a classical pianist, I grew up with all the best classics in my ears. My personal cd collection is about half classical music and half “other.” “Un Bel Di,” from the opera Madama Butterfly leaves me in tears on my knees to this day. (I mean it, when I hear a spectacularly soulful performance of it,  I literally fall to my knees.)

My study of classical violin began at the age of 7 and I don’t remember taking so much as a week off through the end of high school. (Well I was hospitalized for a month once and I didn’t play but that doesn’t count, right?) I won lots of awards and competitions in high school and that got me admission to Loyola University’s music program on scholarship. But it was the performances after which audience members would approach me in tears that was most meaningful to me. It was a sign that I was a truly soulful player. That’s what made me a stand-out in university.

I’ve since combined my classical training and soulful musicality with my natural curiosity about all different styles of  music and created ensembles like Luna Picasso Project. Check this group out, it’s a quartet comprised of soprano, violin, drum kit, and cello/bass. It’s classic in its’ refinement and exotic in the unique mixture of styles with a ton of groove. That and it’s soprano, Emily Nelson, maintains her sultry style singing in 5 different languages!