What is UP With Violetta Norrie?

What Is UP With This Kid? Each Monday we’ll be running a profile.  About kids. And what they’ve done. Or do. Or are about to do. Because when a kid puts her mind to it, she can do some pretty interesting things.

Violetta Norrie, age 14: Harpist

“Sometimes I’ll want to talk to my friends about how much I love a certain piece of music and they’re reaction is usually, what are you talking about?”

Violetta says she has a completely different life than most of her friends do. Most teenagers don’t really get excited about classical music, she explains. “They don’t want to talk about harp things.” It’s one of the challenges she’s faced as she’s committed more to her music.  

The other is, of course, the social limitations from a demanding practice schedule. Violetta currently practices two hours on weekdays, three on weekend days, a routine that she’s stuck to for the past year or two.  “When I was in middle school I was home schooled for a year and a half,” she says. “I had Epstein-Barr Virus and was too tired to go to school.  Since I was home, I got to practice so much more during that time. My music really progressed a lot.”

Now Violetta is a freshman at Montclair High School and a member of the New York Youth Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music Program. “I just joined this group recently and I love it. I love the conductor and the group is incredible. I really want to be there for a long time,” she says.

What is it about harp music? “I don’t actually like listening to harp music,” says Violetta, “I like playing it. I love the sounds you can get out of the harp. It’s so unique. My harp is this thing I’ve known for such a long time. It’s so relaxing for me. Sometimes I don’t like practicing, but other times I just want to feel the strings against my fingers because it feels so great.”

In addition to performing at Carnegie Hall and Symphony Space, Violetta has also recently placed second in the Junior Division of the American Strings Teachers Association’s National Solo Competition. 

Her advice to other young musicians? Practice. Practice. Practice. “I didn’t practice as much as I could have when I was young,” she says. “I had to be pushed. I regret that a little. I might be further along now in my level of repertoire, maybe in technique. Having a good teacher is key. Relearning is more difficult than learning something right the first time.”

Even at 14, this young woman is certain this is what she’ll be doing for the rest of her life. “I love playing in an orchestra and I love playing with other musicians. The feeling I get walking onstage is so amazing, it makes me want to keep doing it even if I get insanely nervous beforehand.” Violetta combats the nerves with deep breathing, which she learned from her opera singer mother. “Anxiety seems like a big thing with musicians,” she says, “but sometimes nerves make me play better.”

Violetta’s FIVE FAVES:

Pizza: Ah’ Pizz

Burger: No local faves

Ice Cream: Red Mango (close enough)

Book: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Teacher: Mr. Casazza (Math teacher MHS)

If you know a kid who is doing something fascinating and extraordinary, or quirky and unusual, please let us know. We’re trying to find out: What’s UP with these kids. Email Shelley@Patch.com.