Fiona Pears Newsletter Interview

What can we expect to see from you over the next year?

I will be performing at festivals and doing some concerts in my local area over the next few months then I will return to the UK for 3 months to work on finishing arrangements for my 5th CD. I will be returning to NZ in August 2010 to do some master classes and private tuition and also preparing for an A.O.T.N.Z. tour with my band. I will be performing with the Waikato Symphony orchestra in November and will play several of my compositions that I recorded with the City of Prague Philharmonic orchestra on my last CD. December 2010 will see the recording of my 5th CD using some of New Zealand’s top musicians and at the start of 2011 I will be performing my own show at the Theatre Royal in Christchurch.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

Listen to heaps of music and find out what you really love. Practice scales and enjoy yourself on stage!

What will your next release be?

A CD using amazing local musicians. It will be mainly new compositions which are based on my experiences over the past 18 months where I have travelled to the UK, Philippines and Japan. I find that most of my writing is inspired by meeting people and seeing new places.

What is the best part of being a musician?

Being able to work and play at the same time. I always feel so lucky to be doing something I love that I can make a living from. I love the challenge of new audiences and always feel amazed when the same people come back to see more of my concerts. I also love the teaching side of music as it is a special feeling when your students really love what they are learning. There are so many parts to music and the more I learn the more it scares me to discover what there is still to learn!! I find this side of music amazing as it is the never ending journey. Being able to write music is also one of the best parts. Being able to put down on manuscript what I hear in my head then hear it played back is one of the most rewarding joys of being a composing musician.

What is your favourite place in NZ to be?

At home in Lyttelton listening to the bell birds and playing with my puppy.

What inspired you to become a musician?

The first violinist I ever heard was Carl Pini and I was about 4 years old. That was all I needed to know that I was going to play the violin. I begged my parents for a violin and got one in my Santa stocking later that year. I am lucky as my mother is a great piano teacher and I learnt piano also for about 10 years. This has been invaluable throughout my career.

How do you keep in contact with your fans?

Through my website and live concerts.