Page 8 - 2018 June Voices

COVER STORY

Orchestra, Humboldt State
University Orchestra, and
the Eureka Symphony. She’s

even subbed at the Newport
Symphony twice and regularly
attends the Humboldt Chamber
Workshop.

“I played in all of the those
orchestras while holding down
a 40-hour-a-week job. I’m not
a pro . . . but I love classical

music. My whole family played
instruments growing up—my
brother is still a very good
piano player. It’s in our blood.”

going to reach a majestic crescendo—like a (I glance at the piles of classical
Wagnerian Overture or Beethoven’s 5th—and music CDs lining her walls and stacked up on
I sat back to enjoy the performance. the floor. I agree with her.)
The allusion to symphonic music is not a “In college I played in a folk dance band. We

stretch since Gabrielle has played the viola since played Folk Life in Seattle for 2 years. It was
age 7. She is deeply into classical music (like the amazing to play for 2,000 dancers and hundreds
way Phyllis Harmon is into e-magazines). She more watching. That is a memory I will never
has passion, power, and persistence. forget. Music is so powerful.”

“I’m not a soloist. I’m an ensemble player,” Gabrielle didn’t join Toastmasters because
Gabrielle told me during our recent interview. she was afraid of performing in front of a crowd.
“I don’t care for the limelight. I want to be part Stage fright isn’t in her vocabulary. She joined
of the whole. I love getting together with a group Toastmasters because she wanted to be a better

of serious musicians and jamming out to some administrator, to run effective board meetings,
classical music—by playing it.” and learn how to be succinct and precise (in a
Classical music is in the air she breathes, the short amount of time). It is not surprising to me
sounds she hears, and at the center of her heart. that she went into district leadership, training,

She recently returned from China where she and volunteering. Gabrielle is an 8-year veteran
toured with the South Shore Orchestra out of volunteer at Audacious Orators, the Coffee Creek
Chicago. She’d heard they needed viola players Correctional Institution Toastmasters club.
and signed up to go. They played 7 concerts “I’m not a soloist. I’m an ensemble player.

in 8 days by covering 5,700 kilometers—from People ask me if I’m nervous when I perform. Of
Shanghai to Ulanhot near Mongolia. She is also course I am! If you’re not nervous, then you’re
a member of the Jewish Community Orchestra not ready for the performance or the audience.
and has played for Oregon ProArte Community “The same is true of Toastmasters—nerves

8 ONE COMMUNITY