Not many people like it when they get criticism. Of course, if you have someone who does tell you and you do have a rapport, that's great. But don't rely on it. You have to rely on yourself.

Preparing for a future in music is an expensive proposition.

Every musical phrase has a purpose. It's like talking. If you talk with a particular purpose, people listen to you, but if you just recite, it's not as meaningful.

For every child prodigy that you know about, at least 50 potential ones have burned out before you even heard about them.

That's the goal, to survive your gift.

There are people who are uncanny, who are finished products at a young age. I wasn't, thank God.

I'm just a one-instrument player. I have been known to play a blender, but I basically play - just play the violin.