Dale Norris

I'm a music educator turned university professor in research but love to perform. I have begun practicing my violin after a several year hiatus and am enjoying it immensely.

When I went to college to study music I had never been around orchestral people or string players. As I made friends with lots of various musicians I was fascinated by what the string players did, how they practiced and I wanted to learn the violin as well. There was an old instrument in our home that my father had been given during WW II (inside label says "Copy of Nicholaus Amati - Made in Germany.") I asked my father if I could use that instrument rather than rent one and he said, "Well, certainly."

I took lessons for two semesters and they plopped me into the university orchestra. Although I was a voice/ piano major I played that old violin all through my undergraduate and graduate programs and for several years afterward in church and community groups. After a few years other things began to take precedence (more graduate school outside the field of music) and I stopped playing. I have recently taken up my practice again and have found renewed vigor. My technique is returning more quickly than I imagined it would.

I have a lot to learn and hope to glean some perspective from the expertise and experience of the people on this site.