Every month, we like to spotlight one of our incredible Elemental Music teachers. Some of them have been teaching with us for close to a decade while others might be in their first year of working for our organization, but there is one thing that all of our teachers have in common: their dedication to the young musicians in our programs.
This month, we are featuring Finn Bordal. While Finn may be in his first season teaching with Elemental Music, he has a long history with our organization as one of our alumni students! There is nothing more special than having former students return as teachers for our programs. We hope that you enjoy getting to know Finn in our interview below!
Elemental Music: Can you tell us a little bit about your history with Elemental Music?
Finn Bordal: Soon after starting violin in 4th grade at John Muir Elementary School, I joined Elemental Strings in the fall of 2005. This was my first ever experience playing in an orchestra. I had such a blast! But as much fun as it was to play in the string orchestra, I had an even better time with the chamber music portion of the program. The greater responsibility for each individual musician and the chance for more personal attention from coaches was fantastic! After graduating from Oberlin College and returning to LA, it just so happened that there was an opening for me to come back to teach violin at a program that meant so much to me back in 4th and 5th grade.
EM: We know that you are coaching in SMMUSD schools in addition to your work with Elemental Music. What does it feel like to return to teach for the same Santa Monica music programs that you grew up with?
FB: Yes! It's been so much fun to teach in Santa Monica schools. Oddly enough, I never really left. I've been teaching sectionals at SAMOHI on and off since the fall after my high school graduation. I will say, though, that now that I have finished college and am fully settling into a career in music teaching and performance, it feels extra special to be able to make the school music program that I grew up in such a big part of my life. I am also quite jealous of the students who get to perform in the brand-new JAMS auditorium!
EM: What is one of your favorite musical memories?
FB: The SAMOHI Symphony tour of Europe in 2014 is up there for me. We had the chance to perform in so many lovely spaces, some brand new, others steeped in history. We also listened to great orchestras, like the Berlin Philharmonic, play live concerts. Their performance of Strauss' Ein Heldenleben was especially memorable!
EM: If you could give our students one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, what would it be?
FB: Play chamber music! Yes, orchestra is great, and of course, it's important to practice and perform solo repertoire, but chamber music is just about the most fun that you can have with classical music. I've kept up so many friendships over the years just through getting together to play chamber music together. (Editor’s Note: you can play chamber music with Elemental Music ;) !)
EM: Can you share a fun fact about yourself?
FB: I am still playing chamber music with friends I met in grade school to this day!