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Kate Marland began studying violin with Leslie Wade at the age of four and now studies viola with Rennie Regehr at the University of Ottawa. Encouraged by many wonderful summers spent at chamber music programs such as Music at Port Milford and the Tuckamore Festival, and three years as a member of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra, Kate has developed a passion for chamber music and orchestral playing. Kate was co-principal violist of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra for it’s 2010-2011 season and was principal violist for the 2011-2012 season. In her spare time, Kate enjoys playing guitar and rowing. Kate will be pursuing a degree in Viola performance at the University of Ottawa in Fall 2012.
You can see her in performance this Saturday June 30th, 11am at Tabaret Hall UofO.
Anna Wood (AW): What got you interested in music?
Kate Marland (KM): By 13, I was more familiar with great symphonic works than the typical Family Channel sitcoms popular with my age group. Put in Suzuki violin lessons along with my mother when I was 4, what had been a mutual endeavour to learn the violin soon ended with my mother's retirement after being unable to keep up with my "rigorous" practice schedule. I took very seriously the Suzuki adage: "Only practice on the days that you eat". I only ate Monday through Friday…the neighbours thought I was practicing some strange religious rite. Brought up listening to the wonderful programming of the old CBC Radio Two, especially Eric Friesen's Studio Sparks, I was exposed to classical music all day, every day. Music was just part of my education until I switched to playing viola at age 12. The viola spoke to me and allowed me to place at the Kiwanis Music Festival (it's not hard to place when there are only three of you in the class!). Going from being a consistent last-place finisher to being invited to Provincials really inspired me and sparked an actual interest in excelling in music.
AW: What is your favorite instrument?
KM: The viola, obviously…but a recent introduction to the joys of playing the bass drum in my grade 11 music class at Lisgar Collegiate have been a true temptation to switch to the "more rhythmic" side.
AW: You attended thepre-college program last year; for you, what is the best part of SMI?
KM: The chip shack outside Perez! Seriously though, the opportunity to work with Adrian Anantawan and Brian Wagorn on the CODA program geared to teach children about music was a wonderful experience and really opened my mind and eyes to the power of music and the need to share classical music and make it accessible to everyone.
AW: What are you most looking forward to while in Ottawa at SMI?
KM: Running along the beautiful Rideau Canal while in the mornings before a long day of rehearsals and lessons is great start to the day and counteracts the negative effects of the chip shack poutine indulgence (hopefully!).
AW: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not practicing?
KM: I like to read, drink a lot of green tea and eat gluten free!
AW: Is there something/someone that acts as an inspiration to you
KM: My mother inspires me to try and be healthy and to persevere when faced with adversity.
AW: Top three songs you just can’t stop listening to lately!
KM:
a) Ho Hey by The Lumineers
b) Fake Empire by The National
c) Glad You Came by The Wanted