I started this blog as a diary of sorts to discuss things about which I am passionate, but it seems to be evolving into something perhaps more…dare I say, ‘serious’? I don’t care too terribly much if people read, though it would be very interesting to start some dialogs with people.
I’m a cellist, food & wine lover, avid outdoors person (when I can be), I adore my husband & my family, my cats, running, camping, Bikram yoga, horses, ballet, plants, esp. dahlias, peonies, hostas, gladiolas. I finished my PhD last year (!!!!!!….what a long, hard, winding road THAT was!). I play my cello all the time, work with a quartet, plus some singer-songwriters, and will be beginning a full-time teaching gig in September at a beautiful private school north of Manhattan. I love, love, love Tori Amos, esp. her material from 1996-1999. I also love David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Regina Spektor, the Cure, Joy Division, Nine Inch Nails, Rasputina, Bob Dylan…in no particular order, but Tori is my number one of all time. I also love poetry — esp. Hafiz, Rumi, Khalil Gibran, Sylvia Plath, ee cummings, etc. etc.
I LOVE the new blog!! Can’t wait to read your new posts!!
Also should add that I’m VERY excited about becoming an aunt!
Angela? The cellist from Dallas?
Nope, I live in New York City.
I’m so behind on the blog thing – I’m glad one of us is doing it! Ollie Chubbs and Nisu Boots feel very honored to be mentioned
It’s all rainy and icky here today – I got like no sleep so we are chilling on the couch reading the paper, wishing you were here. xoxox
Wish I was there too! I’m finding a million ways to procrastinate on transcribing this interview (BOOOORRRRING) for my dissertation. Ugh…
Lauren, I LOVE your blog. I’m really looking forward to your dissertation and more on Tori Amos.
Thanks, Pilley! Yes, I’m looking forward to the Tori one myself.
xoxo
Hi Lauren,
I actually came across your site while doing a last-minute google of “doctoral thesis cello improv” before traipsing into my uni to discuss said topic with our head of postgrad studies. How unexpected! I am thrilled to someone else has done this and not only survived but indeed qualified!
I see you’re based in NY, so it could be possible we may have unwittingly crossed paths at a Rasputina gig or something while I was there studying at Juilliard in 2001-2003? I was doing an Artist’ Diploma in Non-Classical Cello Performance (I paid dearly for those caps) though I ended up finding my way into the Australian String Quartet, and though this has been fantastic fun I’ve rather missed the improv side of things and am looking to re-direct my excess musical energy a little- hence the doctorate discussion. Would you be willing to share a bit about your experiences? I’d love to hear how you went about it. I have a few awesomely keen young cellists I’d like to experiment on in terms of developing an improv circle, and am equally interested in doing research into all aspects of the field – how did you balance the academic and the performance aspects?
Ok, I should possibly stop asking questions before you’ve thought about whether you want to share or not!
My email address is rachel.johnston@gmail.com and I would love to hear from you,
Thanks!
Rachel Johnston