| Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter/instrumentalist | | | | presented it! How badly I didn't want to screw up |
| Shari Ulrich and I have "bumped" into each other | | | | my speech. RS: What did that award help you |
| several times this past few months. In true musician's | | | | accomplish in years to come, or was it not a big deal |
| spirit I've worn several hats in our dealings. | | | | to you? |
| Our first meeting was of a business nature. She | | | | SU: Yes it was a big deal, and looks great in the bio. |
| emailed when her violin bow broke and she was | | | | It enhances opportunities but doesn't guarantee |
| seeking to purchase a carbon fibre model from my | | | | anything. |
| violin shop in time for a gig. I then contacted Shari | | | | RS: You said motherhood was a challenge to balance |
| under the auspices of the Shuswap Violin Society, a | | | | with your career in the early days of infanthood and |
| non-profit group promoting fiddle music. Shari was | | | | childhood. How did you balance it all and what helped |
| invited to join as an Honourary Lifetime Membership | | | | you through those years raising your daughter? |
| with our group and graciously accepted, adding "Well | | | | SU: I took Julia everywhere with me - and started |
| how can a girl turn that down?!?!? I would be | | | | touring again when she was 6 weeks old - and |
| honoured!" | | | | worked more in that year than I ever had. It really |
| Soon after I learned our local Music Society was | | | | bonded us. So it didn't effect my work life, but the |
| hosting a "Songwriter's Cafe" where Shari was joined | | | | focus of being a mother is utterly compelling and |
| by John Mann (Spirit of the West), Norman Foote | | | | consuming - there is a choiceless-ness about it. |
| and Babe Gurr. I would finally have the opportunity to | | | | But I think what is impossible to hang on to is the |
| meet her in person and don my freelance writer's | | | | creative drive that comes from time alone, which is |
| hat. | | | | never the same after having a child. The alone time is |
| After a riveting and highly entertaining concert Shari | | | | what drives my creativity, and after a child comes, |
| and I chatted about music, motherhood, fiddles and | | | | even if you steal an hour here or there, it is just that |
| other important stuff. | | | | - stolen time between duties rather than open ended |
| Rhiannon Schmitt: What was your motivation or a | | | | stream of consciousness uninterrupted time. |
| goal you had in mind when you first started playing | | | | Her Dad was a HUGE asset to it all working though. I |
| violin? Had you seen a concert and been inspired or | | | | was/is a fantastic parent and he was totally capable |
| was it simply out of the blue? | | | | of being the stay at home guy the odd time that I |
| Shari Ulrich: I grew up in the US - in Northern | | | | didn't take her - 3, 4, 5 days at a time. He was |
| California where music was a program in the schools. | | | | amazing. |
| In Grade 3 we were asked what instrument we | | | | RS: Julia plays violin and has to study with another |
| wanted to play and given a little demonstration. My | | | | teacher and sometimes I think teaching my own son |
| girlfriends and I all chose violin so we could be in the | | | | to play violin isn't a good idea. Why do you think |
| class together... very typical young girl motivation. | | | | children have to study with someone other than a |
| RS: That's interesting, my violin beginnings were | | | | parent? |
| almost exactly the same: a school orchestra program | | | | SU: Oh, I wouldn't characterize it as "has to". I just |
| in San Diego, California. Now.. to dig out some dirt on | | | | knew that it wouldn't be good for our relationship - |
| you. Did your mother ever have to nag you to | | | | or for her opportunity to learn. And we have one of, |
| practice? Or was music just your special thing you | | | | I think, the best violin teachers on Bowen Island - |
| were always dedicated to? | | | | Alison Nixon. |
| SU: Practicing was ALWAYS my nemesis - even | | | | So I was happy to have her study with someone so |
| today, though I recall doing LOTS of it. And yes, | | | | great and not have the extra load of seeing her |
| from time to time my mother said the same thing to | | | | through learning an instrument. Plus, knowing how to |
| me that I hear myself saying to my daughter - | | | | play doesn't mean you're a great teacher, and I don't |
| "There's no point in paying for lessons if you're not | | | | think I would have been a good teacher. |
| going to practice". (Which of course is TRUE). But in | | | | RS: If Julia or anyone else you know and care for |
| fact, my mother didn't nag me - nor do I nag my | | | | wanted a life as a professional musician, what would |
| daughter - but neither could resist that remark. Later, | | | | your advice to them be? |
| in my early 20's, I had a period of earnest study for | | | | SU: Do it because you LOVE it. Have a clean ego. |
| a few years. | | | | Think of the audience as your ally. I know someone |
| RS: Regarding "young girl motivations," I know my | | | | who doesn't actually like to perform because it |
| violin practice was neglected when I had a boyfriend. | | | | triggers his insecurity - he feels resentment of the |
| Did boys ever get in the way of your music? | | | | audience - that they are judging him - and who are |
| SU: Ha! No, I'd say boys have always been a great | | | | they to judge him! That's unfortunate. |
| asset to my music because I've virtually always had | | | | Be honest and authentic with your unique voice. Don't |
| partners who were musicians! But in my teenage | | | | let "the industry" determine whether you have a |
| years I don't recall it being a conflict. | | | | career. |
| RS: So when did you first decide to become a | | | | RS: Do you think it's possible to make a good living in |
| professional musician or did it just happen? | | | | gigging, or would you encourage such an individual to |
| SU: I came to Canada when I was about 19 - | | | | also consider teaching or another job as backup? |
| searching for what I was supposed to do with my | | | | SU: I think it's good to surrender to it. Which means |
| life - my calling. Then I started playing with other | | | | accepting that there is no real security, but having |
| musicians - doing this thing that had always been SO | | | | faith that your talent will provide for you. But |
| second nature to me that I never thought of it as a | | | | teaching is a good back up income to have. |
| career. THEN the light went on and I realized MUSIC | | | | RS: Is it a life only select individuals have what it |
| was MY THING. | | | | takes to make it work? |
| RS: Were there ever times when you didn't think you | | | | SU: Hmmm....I'd say so, yes. |
| had what it would take to become a professional | | | | RS: You've been teaching a Lyrics Course at UBC. |
| musician? | | | | How's that working out? |
| SU: No - I've always known it to my core. But there | | | | SU: I LOVE it. I love the kids - the process - and |
| have certainly been times that I felt under educated | | | | having my first regular paycheck! |
| and not a good enough sight reader to be a TRUE | | | | RS: Are you considering settling down as a Prof |
| professional musician, like my partner Bill is, who can | | | | someday and leaving the life of a traveling musician? |
| sight read and play anything. I have my limitations. | | | | SU: I would never want to leave performing live, and |
| But my imagination doesn't. | | | | couldn't imagine that ever being necessary. But I'd |
| RS: What do you do to overcome musical "slumps?" | | | | love to keep doing this job for awhile! I can't see |
| SU: My slumps have been more getting weary of | | | | myself ever really settling for just one path. |
| pushing the rock up the hill, because being a musician | | | | RS: Finally, tell me about your violin or violins. |
| means creating your life every single day. And I had | | | | SU: It's a German violin that I picked up in Victoria |
| a vision for myself that entailed my music reaching a | | | | when my childhood one was stolen on route to my |
| wider audience than it has because as I got older, | | | | first Valdy and the Hometown Band gig in Victoria - it |
| my opportunities for industry support diminished. But | | | | had been given to me by a Great Aunt when I'd |
| knowing to my soul that music is what I'm meant to | | | | won a smalls scholarship in Grade 7. It broke my |
| create and play and breathe has never taken a dip. | | | | heart, and I still search for it in stores. |
| RS: Who was your biggest motivation, violin-wise, | | | | For many years I played a white Barcus Berry |
| when you grew up? | | | | electric. Regular body, but it sounded pretty grim |
| SU: Hmm... I guess Stephan Grappelli though I couldn't | | | | acoustically. Then I went back to my "real" violin |
| play that style - Itzhak Perlman, hmmm... I can't say | | | | when I realized how much better it sounded. |
| that I had a role model who inspired me. | | | | RS: What would your dream violin sound like? |
| RS: They're two of my idols too, and really lofty | | | | SU: Hmmm - like the one I play. My dream would be |
| ones at that! The Juno Award in 1981 for Most | | | | more about my own playing and tone. My dream |
| Promising Female Artist, did you expect that? | | | | would be to be a better player and be able to make |
| SU: I couldn't say I "expected" it, but I certainly | | | | any violin sound heartbreakingly beautiful. |
| hoped it would happen. Winning is always a thrilling | | | | RS: Shari, you're so great! Thank you for being an |
| experience no matter what it is. | | | | inspiration to so many and for taking the time to |
| RS: What went through your mind as you accepted | | | | share your thoughts with us. I hope we see each |
| it? | | | | other again soon. |
| SU: How cool it was that Bob and Doug McKenzie | | | | |
