This month, our Springboard SPOTLIGHT shines on violinist Kai Freeman, one of our 2023 Springboard Grant Winners.
Kai Freeman, Violin
At what age did you begin performing and what inspired you to do so?
I started playing the violin at age four and had my first performance playing A major scale in my teacher’s studio recital. I am not sure why I chose the violin but before I started, I used to imitate playing the violin with chopsticks for my family.
What was the most exciting thing that’s happened to you as you’ve pursued the performing arts?
Last summer I got to participate in the thirtieth anniversary of the Verbier Festival as a member of its Junior Orchestra, thanks to the Bruce Montgomery Foundation for the Arts! I got to perform in an amazing orchestra with musicians around the world, and attend many concerts featuring the top musicians, singers, and conductors in the world!
What are some stumbling blocks you’ve encountered along the way?
The amount of time needed not only practice, but also finding the time for lessons, orchestra rehearsals, chamber music rehearsals and also the time it takes to get to these places.
Dream big … If you can envision achieving great success in the performing arts, describe what that would that look like?
Be a member of a major U.S. or European orchestra.
What’s your favorite genre of music and why?
I’ve always heard Orchestra music from when I was little and it was more interesting than other types to me.
Have you ever met a really famous performing artist and if so, who was it and what was your interaction?
I met Mr. Gil Shaham for the second time and I was really surprised to hear that he remembered my name and that I played the violin.
Describe what you think would be most the most useful or beneficial thing to you, if given the opportunity to mentored by a successful artist?
How successful musicians handle pressure, burnout, and what they would do if they had to start all over again. On the more technical side, how to master left hand pizzicato.
As a performing artist, what stands in the way of fulfilling your dreams?
There are many young musicians who are extremely talented. I hope I can keep up with my peers who are doing amazing things. It is also very competitive to win auditions for orchestra positions.
If you could have lunch with an A-list performing artist, who would that be?
Mr. Yo-Yo Ma.
How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, Practice, Practice.
Favorite Musician: Gil Shaham
Favorite Musical Instrument: Bassoon or oboe
Favorite Actor: Robert Downey Jr.
Favorite Actress: I cannot think of one…
Favorite Comedian: Steve Martin
Favorite Dancer: My sister
Favorite Movie: E.T.
Favorite Show: Jeopardy
If you couldn’t be a performing artist, what would you like to do?
Cargo Pilot
Biography
Kai Freeman is a 9th grader at Haddonfield Memorial High School. He is currently Assistant Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and is part of the Braverman String Quartet as a scholarship recipient in the Settlement Music School’s Advanced Study Program.
In the 2021-22 season, Kai was the concertmaster of the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra and won the ensemble’s Eighth Annual Young Artists Solo Competition with his performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. This season, he will appear as soloist with the Ambler Symphony and Warminster Symphony. In November 2022 Kai was named the first place winner in the Junior division of New Jersey Music Teachers Association’s Young Musicians Competition. In previous seasons, he has participated in a number of ensembles including PRYSM and PRYSM Young Artists, the Chamber Players Orchestra at Temple University’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians, the All South Jersey String Ensemble, and the Settlement Music School Pre-Advanced Study Program’s Trimingham Piano Trio.
Last summer, Kai was invited to join the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra in Switzerland and then he returned to the Violin Workshop at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute. In past summers Kai has attended Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 program, the Violin Workshop at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute, Heifetz Program for Exceptionally Gifted, the Mann Center’s All City Orchestra Summer Academy, Point Counterpoint, the Philadelphia International Music Festival, and the inaugural Suzuki Conventions of the Americas in Cancun, Mexico.
Kai began playing the violin at the age of four under Gerry Rice and currently studies with Amy Oshiro-Morales of The Philadelphia Orchestra. He has also studied with J Freivogel of the Jasper String Quartet and Francesca de Pasquale. Aside from playing the violin, Kai plays trumpet and enjoys reading and watching movies.
