how did you start in music?

I began the violin as many other kids do, in the fourth grade at a public school. I didn't officially start taking private lessons until I was sixteen at St. Olaf college.

most infuential teacher?

The late Mitchell Stern was a great mentor and violin teacher to me. He was the first violinist of the American String Quartet. He really taught me to listen.

what do you enjoy about performing?

I enjoy the energy exchange between the players and the audience. Really exciting performances have this electricity- you can tell when the performers and listeners are really engaged.

other than performing music, I'd love to be...

• an Astronaut.
• a Theoretical Physicist.
• a Film Director.
• an Actor.

what keeps you going?

drinking dr. pepper.

what keeps you fresh?

ivory soap.

on the cd player?

beethoven quartets.

in the kitchen?

nacho cheese and tortilla chips.

on the nightstand?

books on einstein and theoretical physics.

earliest musical memory?

a yellow-colored tape of itzhak perlman playing tchaikovsky.

why do you do it?

i can't seem to stop.

what do you do for fun?

aikido.