In the Corner With…
Alissa Nanna, East Aurora Schools’ string orchestra teacher, works with students in grades five through twelve. She received her bachelor’s degree in music from Ithaca College, and her master’s degree in education from the University at Buffalo. She was born in Buffalo, New York, and hails from a family of musicians. Her brother plays clarinet and saxophone, and she has a cousin who is a violinist with the Buffalo Philharmonic.
Which instruments do you play, and at what age did you begin?
I started taking violin lessons in the fourth grade, and continue to play violin mainly. I also play some viola, cello, and string bass.
Is there a particular musician who influenced your pursuit of music as a career?
My cousin plays violin professionally…she inspired me to pursue music. I would attend all of her concerts as a child.
Do you perform in public?
Yes! I perform regularly with the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. I also play a lot of concerts around the holidays at local churches, and at the occasional wedding in the summer.
What is the difference between chamber music, and classical music?
Chamber music can include classical music, or music from any era. Chamber music is a form of classical music written for a smaller group of instruments. A philharmonic or symphony orchestra uses more people and larger instrumentation than a chamber orchestra.
How do you handle nervousness before a performance, and what advice do you give your students when they are getting ready to perform?
I make sure I eat well that day, get a lot of sleep the night before, and take a lot of deep breaths before the performance! I tell my students to be confident in what we have been practicing, and to enjoy showing everyone the progress they have made!
What kind of music do you most often play, and why?
Classical. It has a wide range of composers and styles that fall into its genre. I have many favorite composers of classical music, it depends on the situation. When playing violin alone, I like to play music by Bach…with a larger orchestra my favorites include Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
What goal do you have for students in your program?
Whether listening or playing, music is a wonderful creative outlet. It allows you to express all kinds of emotions, and is a great gift to share. I want students to have music in their lives in some form, whether performing for enjoyment, or just being appreciative of the arts.
Is there a type of music or particular band that you recommend others listen to?
I think there are a number of really great musicians in every musical style. I listen to everything from classical to jazz and rock to pop. I attend classical concerts in the area regularly, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. My favorite band to listen to lately is Dave Matthews…they have a great fiddle player!