Nina DeCesare‘s creative musical quest is inspiring.
First, she won the 14 and under International Society of Bassists solo competition. Then she won it again for the 15-18 division.
She studied at Rice University, Tanglewood, and Domaine Forget. Also, she won a scholarship to study with François Rabbath in Paris. Nina ended her time at Rice by winning a position with the Oregon Symphony.
She has done more in her brief career than many do in their entire life.
But it hasn’t always been easy for her.
In fact, she went through a serious playing injury during her time at Rice University.
Her bass playing ground to a halt for months.
But through careful analysis, she changed her approach to the bass. She problem-solved her way out of the injury and changed her approach to the bass in the process.
We talk about what it was like studying with George Vance and Paul Ellison, playing in Portland bars, thoughts on training as a soloist versus as an orchestra player, and much more!
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Links to check out:
How an Injury Saved my Playing (blog post by Nina)
Too many young double bassists prioritise solo technique over orchestral expertise (by Chi-Chi Nwanoku – from The Strad)
