In this episode, we talk with world-class Julliard-trained violinist Tricia Park about her experiences as a child prodigy. We discuss how learning to play the violin and perform for world-class audiences at a very young age made her feel special all the while contributing to a limited sense of identity.

She shares her unique insights into what it’s like to live a big life as a quiet and painfully shy child and she discusses simple ways that educators can help their exceptional students rise about the pressures associated with achievement and perfectionism.

Praised by critics for her "astounding virtuosic gifts" (Boston Herald) and "achingly pure sound” (The Toronto Star), concert violinist TRICIA PARK enjoys a diverse and eclectic career as soloist, chamber musician, concertmaster, educator, and festival curator.

Tricia is a recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and was selected as one of "Korea's World Leaders of Tomorrow" by the Korean Daily Central newspaper. Since appearing in her first orchestral engagement at age 13 with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, she has performed with the English Chamber Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa; the Montreal, Dallas, Cincinnati, Seattle, Honolulu, Nevada, and Lincoln Symphonies; and the Calgary, Buffalo, and Westchester and Naples Philharmonics. She has also given recitals throughout the United States and abroad, including a highly acclaimed performance at the Ravinia Rising Stars series. As First Violinist of the Maia Quartet from 2005-2011, she performed at Lincoln Center and the 92nd Street Y in New York and Beijing’s Forbidden City Hall and was on faculty at the University of Iowa.

Other career highlights include Tricia’s recital debut at the Kennedy Center, appearances at the Lincoln Center Festival in Bright Sheng's The Silver River, her Korean debut performance with the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) Orchestra and collaborations with composer Tan Dun, Cho-Liang Lin, Paul Neubauer, Timothy Eddy and Steven Tenenbom. An appearance with the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra at Jordan Hall garnered a glowing review from the Boston Herald that stated, "If you see the name Tricia Park in any future programs, buy a ticket."

Recent season highlights include a performance of Lalo Symphonie Espagnole with the South Bend Symphony; a recital at Carnegie Hall with Ensemble Peripherie; a performance of the Brahms Double Concerto with the Notre Dame Symphony; a collaborative performance with violist Daniel Avshalomov; and a recording of works by Per Bloland on the TZADIK label with the ECCE Ensemble. Tricia is also the founding member of the Solera Quartet, the new Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Notre Dame.

Tricia maintains an ongoing interest in new music and non-classical styles. She has performed with jazz musicians Matt Ulery and Zach Brock, has appeared with the rock band, Another Dead Clown and performs duo violin recitals with fiddler-violinist, Taylor Morris.

Passionate about arts education and community development, Tricia is the co-founder and artistic director of MusicIC, a summer chamber music festival that takes place in downtown Iowa City. MusicIC presents free concerts and events focus on music for small ensembles inspired by works of literature, both prose and poetry.

Tricia received her Bachelor and Master of Music from the Juilliard School where she studied with Dorothy DeLay. She is a recipient of the Starling-DeLay Teaching Fellowship at the Juilliard School. She has studied and performed chamber music with Felix Galimir, Pinchas Zukerman, Cho-Liang Lin, Michael Tree, Gary Hoffman, Paul Neubauer, Robert McDonald, and members of the American, Guarneri, Juilliard, and Orion String Quartets as well as the new music group, Eighth Blackbird. Other former teachers include Cho-Liang Lin, Donald Weilerstein, Hyo Kang and Piotr Milewski.

Currently, Tricia is full-time Violin Faculty and Artist-in-Residence at the University of Notre Dame.

The New Yorker Article Tricia Mentioned...by Malcolm Gladwell

Tricia Park