Journey in my Violin Learning

Every Wednesday evening I have my favourite of enjoyment – playing violin at Innominato Strings, which is a community orchestra at Chatswood.

To me, learning to play the violin is about self-discovery through process.   I started my violin learning  in the Christian Community Aid Chinese Leisure Learning Centre a couple of years ago.  It was not until I joined the Innominato-Strings  orchestra that I found my passion in playing music, especially with a group of people who share the same interest with me.  Although I am still subject to nervous anxiety in orchestral performance, I found it challenging and having a lot of excitement while performing in front of a group of audience.  I always believe that the more performance experience you have, the less anxiety you will get.

As an adult educator (jazz dance teacher) myself, I found that adults tend to be more self-aware than children in their own learning.  We often learn by watching our peers as compared with children, they require more direct instructions.  In our orchestra, I am lucky to have my ‘learning buddy’ who gives me courage and cheers me on during difficulties.  We always learn from each other.

Love of Lifelong Learning

The members in our community orchestra inspire me so much in the way they learn and play music.  Sometimes the more experienced players would support and encourage me to learn in an autonomous and creative manner.  I especially love the time when we come along and play music of those great composers.  What is more important is that we share the love of lifelong learning and it helps me understand more about learning in different culture.  In our Chinese culture, teacher/conductor is regarded as an ‘authoritative’ figure.  When I attend our orchestral rehearsal, I found the learning environment, friendly, supportive, nurturing and non-threatening, which provides a great place for my violin learning.

Apart from enjoying the sense of achievement at progress and self-fulfillment, I always enjoy and value the friendship among members in our orchestra. To embark in this lifelong (as well as life-wide) learning journey helps me understand a lot about my own passion, my strengths and weaknesses.  It also helps me understand the challenges which adult learners would have faced, which in turn develop myself to become a more responsive and pro-active adult educator.  It makes me grow in my natural learning journey beyond violin learning and stretches me emotionally, mentally and physically.

“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.” – Mahatma Ghandi