The Passion Project: Violin Edition

What happens when a classically trained violinist enters a musical tradition where so much of the music lives beyond the written page? In this episode, I speak with violinist, composer, educator, and researcher Zoë Aqua about her immersion in klezmer and Transylvanian musical traditions—and how learning from traditional musicians in Romania changed the way she listens, plays, teaches, and thinks about musical voice. We also talk about her new album, From the Open Place, and how years of research, collaboration, experimentation, and performance found their way into this latest chapter of her work. 

Zoë Aqua's musical journey began with classical violin and the Suzuki Method, but her path eventually led her deeply into klezmer and Transylvanian musical traditions—and to two years of Fulbright-supported research in Romania studying how traditional musicians learn and transmit regional styles.

In our conversation, we explore what happens when musical knowledge isn't primarily transmitted through notation. Zoë shares what she learned from musicians who build enormous repertoires by ear, how immersion in Transylvanian music challenged some of her assumptions about classical violin technique, and why changing everything from her left-hand position to her relationship with rhythm helped her understand the musical language more deeply.

We also talk about the relationship between technique and style, learning through imitation and listening, the very different dynamics of Transylvanian and klezmer ensembles, cultural adaptation, teaching, artistic self- doubt, and the cyclical nature of motivation and musical growth.

Finally, Zoë takes us behind her new album, From the Open Place, including how performing extensively with the ensemble before recording shaped the project and how the addition of Yiddish vocal settings opened a new direction in her work.

It's a conversation about much more than learning a new musical style. It's about what can happen when we become willing to question how we've learned, listen differently, and allow another musical language to change the way we understand our instrument.

Discover Zoë Aqua's music Explore Zoë's album From the Open Place and learn more about her work as a violinist, composer, and educator. 

Website: https://www.zoeaqua.com

Bandcamp: https://zoeaqua.bandcamp.com/album/from-the-open-place

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Reconnect with your own violin practice Explore the Violin Bootcamp, my online learning space for adult violinists, with practical resources and creative approaches to building technique, confidence and sustainable practice habits.https://violinbootcamp.ca

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Music Credits & Permissions

Music excerpts from From the Open Place by Zoë Aqua, courtesy of Adhyâropa Records. Used with permission for this episode of The Passion Project: Violin Edition. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Many musicians believe consistency comes from discipline, motivation, or simply trying harder.

But over the years, I've discovered something different.

In this episode, I share why sustainable practice isn't built through pressure—and what actually helps us return to our instruments, even during busy seasons of life.

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In this episode of The Passion Project: Violin Edition, I explore a question many adult musicians wrestle with:

How do we stay consistent without burning ourselves out?

Drawing from my own experience with intensive practice, injury, burnout, and rebuilding my relationship with the violin, I share some of the ideas that eventually became the foundation of my 7-Minute Power Routine system.

This episode is about creating a practice approach that feels sustainable enough to return to—not just when motivation is high, but especially when it isn't.

Because consistency isn't built through pressure.

It's built through having something you can return to.

Never stop playing.

— Marlene

If today's reflection resonated with you, you can explore my free audio training on building a violin practice that fits real life:

If you’ve ever wondered why motivation feels so inconsistent when it comes to practicing, this episode offers a different perspective.

Instead of trying to fix motivation, we explore how to understand it — and how to work with it in a more sustainable way.

This is for adult violinists navigating full lives, looking for a way to stay connected to their instrument without relying on constant discipline.

In this episode of The Passion Project: Violin Edition, I’m sharing the audio version of a reflection titled Why Motivation Isn’t the Problem (And What Actually Helps).

This piece explores a common frustration among adult violinists — the feeling that motivation is unreliable — and offers a shift in how to approach it.

Rather than trying to fix motivation, we begin to understand its natural rhythm, and what actually supports consistency over time.

This is not about pushing harder. It’s about building a way of practicing that works with your life — not against it.

Until next time — never stop playing.

— Marlene

In this episode of The Passion Project: Violin Edition, I’m sharing the audio version of a reflection titled What I Was Afraid to Say Out Loud.

It names something many adult violinists — especially women navigating work, family, and creative identity — experience but rarely articulate.

This is not a teaching episode.
It’s not a method explanation.
It’s a moment of honesty.

If you’ve ever felt tension between loving your instrument and feeling unsure how to return to it, this conversation is for you.

Until next time — never stop playing.

— Marlene

In this first episode of The Passion Project: Violin Edition, I share the turning point that led me from burnout and near‑quitting to rethinking how we practice — and what actually leads to musical growth without pressure or overwhelm.

It’s the philosophy that now guides my work with adult violinists — particularly women balancing music with full lives — who want to reconnect with their instrument without guilt, perfectionism, or endless hours of practice.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How burnout nearly made me step away from the violin for good

• The quiet moment that changed how I think about practice

• Why traditional “long practice” advice wasn’t working

• The beginning of the short, sustainable method that now guides my coaching work

• What this podcast will offer as you return to your instrument

This podcast is for adult violinists who love the instrument — especially women navigating work, family, and creative identity — but need a way back that fits real life.

If you’re feeling that small pull to begin again, I’ve created a free audio training to guide your very first step back — gently, sustainably, and in just a few focused minutes a day. You can access it here: https://violinbootcamp.ca/free-ebook

Until next time — Never stop playing!