Oh my, touched a nerve, did I? That really wasn’t my intention, but, as I said above, “oh well . . . ”

As for going to school together, it was NCSA. Johnny Reinhard might have briefly introduced us one day – you were in high school and i was close to graduating from the college division. I was friends with Paul Hatton before you encountered him. How is he these days?

Bob Priest — Where did we go to school together? I don’t recall.

Margo Drakos is a very accomplished person, earning her way into both careers. That she presents herself as an attractive person means that she understands this is a part of professionalism. No, she wasn’t served up jobs and opportunities on a silver platter because she’s attractive. She got herself into Curtis on the basis of an audition, and even though she was initially rejected from Columbia (because she’s attractive? You didn’t mention that.) she persisted, earned her degree, and has published papers (without a photograph by the way) that have garnered her speaking engagements at Yale and elsewhere. She’s earned everything through hard work. That she’s put-together and puts on a professional face speaks volumes about her approach.

There are also a lot of very fine musicians who have done a double-degree program as well. Though I didn’t do a double major, I did attend a liberal arts college for undergrad that had a lot of academic demands on top of my musical studies, which made for some very hectic end of semester (finals, juries, etc all at the same time).

Best of luck in your studies, and if you’re back at the SRMF this year, please come up and say hello!

I’m a double-degree student (viola/physics) at a conservatory and a university–an intense workload that comes with sacrifices. It’s often hard to justify to myself and my peers why I’m not “going for music 100%.” So many things (like practicing) lend themselves better to days without labs, classes, and homework. I guess it’s a delicate balance…but maybe a musician’s second interest/career is better pursued after his or her “chops” are in place?

If only I had known years ago what I do now..

Then again, maybe i wasn’t supposed to notice that? Oh well . . .

ps
i went to school with Blair Tindall and got a real hoot out of her book in which she discusses sundry antics @ North Carolina School of the Arts. Blair has done a fine job in parlaying her musical life into a writing career.

She is doing very well as a marriage/family/child counselor, working 32 hours a week, PLUS her occasional playing gigs. I don’t know how she does it all! But she lives a more rewarding and fulfilling life as a result of expanding her career horizons.