BCSO principal violinist for 30 years, professional musician and private violin teacher

Inna Nedorezov: During my school years of music studies, I came across this beautifully singing old Tyrolean violin. We became soul mates, but unfortunately not for very long. When my family decided to leave Soviet Russia to go to United States, at the Russian customs my violin, being an antique instrument, was declared a national treasure and could not leave the country. I had to leave it behind with my good friend. Fortunately, after a short while my friend decided to immigrate too and took a chance to bring the violin with him. Not being a professional musician, no one at the customs paid attention to this old violin and my violin began its travels. Many month later I met my friend who settled in Boston. I could not wait to see and reunite with my beautiful violin. When I opened the case, we both were in shock with horror, it was in pieces. He never thought of opening the case and during many winter month delay in Italy, kept the case under the bed on the cold stone floor.

I refused to give up yet, brought the violin home and made arrangements with people in the famous “Bein and Fushi” violin shop in Chicago. Great masters of their trade did not let me down. After several violin surgeries they completely restored my beautiful violin and it sings even more beautiful now, and we are soul mates again and together forever!

BCSO clarinetist and bass clarinetist for 10 years, retired music educator
Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I was studying with Herb Blayman, who at the time was the principal clarinetist at the Met Opera. He taught me many things (and also missed a couple of important ones along the way), but among the most memorable remarks he ever made was, “Musicians speak a language nobody else understands.” It has proven to be true. I am so glad to play in the Bucks County Symphony, otherwise who would I talk to?