Video interviews with former students of Kató Havas
– by Karen Davy –
“I conceived the idea of this interview series after Kató’s death in 2018.
I wanted to record first-hand experiences from other former students as part of Kató’s legacy.
These interviews include some of the challenges that these players faced: challenges like tendinitis, stage fright, right arm pain, and left hand issues.
Each person was asked three questions: (1) How did they first hear about Kató? (2) What was going on in their lives to draw them to her? and (3) What were the most important and lasting effects of Kató’s teaching on their own playing and teaching?”
Interviews were conducted over zoom. A former student, Morgan O’Shaughnessey, edited them.
Episode One – interview with Karen Davy
Karen Davy: Violin/viola instructor and performer – California State Polytechnic, Humboldt. Private studio.
Cleveland Institute of Music, Queens College CUNY. 4 years private study with Katò Havas.
Kató was about finding the ease – Karen Davy
Episode Two – interview with David Bowes
David Bowes: Violist – Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, San Francisco, American Bach Soloists.
Studio teacher, Feldenkrais Practitioner. Manhattan School Graduate. Private study with Katò Havas.
To sing the intervals to my left hand gave me such a focal point, not only to be distracted, but a purpose, so I was really deeply involved with the music – David Bowes
Episode Three – interview with Linda Gaines
Linda Gaines: Violinist – Florida Orchestra. Private studio.
Eastman School of Music. University of Illinois. 5 years private studio with Katò Havas. Secretary of KHANA.
It made playing so, so much easier, I can’t describe the ease, it was a delight to play – Linda Gaines
Episode Four – interview with Virginia Sharkey
Virginia Sharkey: Professional visual artist, studio violin teacher, violinist Symphony of the Redwoods. Vassar Graduate, studied with Ivylyn Traver.
The emphasis is not on being the most perfect person you could be, but on giving out the music like a form of energy to your audience –
Virginia Sharkey
Episode Five – interview with Bettina Mussumeli and Jodi Levitz
Bettina Mussumeli: Performing artist – I Solisti Veneti, recital and recording artist. Professor Frost School of Music, University of Miami, Florida. Juilliard graduate. Private study, Katò Havas.
Jodi Levitz: Performing artist – I Solisti Veneti recital and recording artist. Viola Professor Frost School of Music, Julliard graduate.
The genius of the New Approach is that it creates freedom in whatever technique you use – Bettina Mussumeli
Episode Six – interview with Daria D’Andrea
Daria D’Andrea: Freelance Violist. Faculty – University of San Francisco.Graduate – San Francisco Conservatory. Private study, Katò Havas.
The pulse is happening in the center of the swing – Daria D’Andrea
Episode Seven – interview with Dijana Ihas
Dijana Ihas: Assistant Professor of Music Education, Pacific University and Viola Professor. Author/researcher – violin methods and educators.
She had a holistic approach to playing, not only addressing the technicalities, the memory or musicality, but providing a tangible means to connect these – Dijana Ihas
Episode Eight – interview with Jack Harris
Jack Harris: Biology Professor, Russell Sage University. Private study, Katò Havas.
Violin playing is not a matter of trying very hard, it is either easy or it is impossible – Jack Harris
Episode Nine – interview with Michelle Liechti
Michelle Liechti: Violinist and studio teacher, Brattleboro, VT. Graduate, Mills College. Private study, Katò Havas. East Coast Representative – KHANA.
The most important thing of violin playing … is having fun.
Everything works with ease. If it is not flowing, there is a blockage somewhere – Michelle Liechti
Episode Ten – interview with Jeananne Weber
Jeanne Weber: Private studio teacher, Los Gatos, CA. Private study, Katò Havas. West Coast Representative – KHANA.
There’s nothing that you can’t figure out. And if you’ve done it once, you can do it again. – Jeananne Weber