What happens when a classically trained violinist enters a musical tradition where so much of the music lives beyond the written page? In this episode, I speak with violinist, composer, educator, and researcher Zoë Aqua about her immersion in klezmer and Transylvanian musical traditions—and how learning from traditional musicians in Romania changed the way she listens, plays, teaches, and thinks about musical voice. We also talk about her new album, From the Open Place, and how years of research, collaboration, experimentation, and performance found their way into this latest chapter of her work. Zoë Aqua's musical journey began with classical violin and the Suzuki Method, but her path eventually led her deeply into klezmer and Transylvanian musical traditions—and to two years of Fulbright-supported research in Romania studying how traditional musicians learn and transmit regional styles. In our conversation, we explore what happens when musical knowledge isn't primarily transmitted through notation. Zoë shares what she learned from musicians who build enormous repertoires by ear, how immersion in Transylvanian music challenged some of her assumptions about classical violin technique, and why changing everything from her left-hand position to her relationship with rhythm helped her understand the musical language more deeply. We also talk about the relationship between technique and style, learning through imitation and listening, the very different dynamics of Transylvanian and klezmer ensembles, cultural adaptation, teaching, artistic self- doubt, and the cyclical nature of motivation and musical growth. Finally, Zoë takes us behind her new album, From the Open Place, including how performing extensively with the ensemble before recording shaped the project and how the addition of Yiddish vocal settings opened a new direction in her work. It's a conversation about much more than learning a new musical style. It's about what can happen when we become willing to question how we've learned, listen differently, and allow another musical language to change the way we understand our instrument. Discover Zoë Aqua's music Explore Zoë's album From the Open Place and learn more about her work as a violinist, composer, and educator. Website: https://www.zoeaqua.com Bandcamp: https://zoeaqua.bandcamp.com/album/from-the-open-place Streaming Reconnect with your own violin practice Explore the Violin Bootcamp, my online learning space for adult violinists, with practical resources and creative approaches to building technique, confidence and sustainable practice habits.https://violinbootcamp.ca Stay connected Enjoyed this conversation? Follow The Passion Project: Violin Edition on Spotify, share this episode with a fellow musician, and leave a rating to help more violinists discover the podcast. Music Credits & Permissions Music excerpts from From the Open Place by Zoë Aqua, courtesy of Adhyâropa Records. Used with permission for this episode of The Passion Project: Violin Edition. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.
