We were lucky to catch up with Gina Kronstadt recently and have shared our conversation below.
Gina, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
I do major self-care daily. An hour a day of any combination of things. Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1987 (which is still a bit of a mystery to the medical profession), I had to find what would work for me and ended up actually working with the doctors to let them know what helped with the pain management. I had to try many things over a few years to come up with the best way to manage the pain so I could continue my work as a violinist.
I think all musicians (and vocalists in a different way) need to consider themselves athletes. The many hours of holding an instrument in an awkward position day after day, decade after decade can really throw the body off balance. It’s so necessary to balance and strengthen all angles equally. Which ever way our instrument pull is, we need to work the opposite direction to help balance our posture.
I do Yoga, Pilates, Ballet Barre, and lots of Stretching and Cardio. Also being mindful of how we walk and sit are so important. I’m also a huge fan of Massage, Heat, Meditation, and a clean Diet…Everything has to do with Everything.
If we take care of our bodies, they’ll be better able to care of us!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’d been a violinist in the business for 47 years playing on everything from Michael Jackson to Beyonce. Charlie’s Angels to LOST. The Grammys to The Voice to The Oscars. Diana Ross and David Sanborn to Whitney Houston and Freddie Hubbard.
Unfortunately, I had to quit last year. A shoulder surgery gone wrong. But what I know is that had I not been taking extreme care of my body and mind, my career could have very well been much shorter!
I have segued more into writing and arranging music and singing with my band as well as being hired to sing and arrange for some other really wonderful projects. The same principles apply here too. Taking care of the voice and practicing properly. Getting on stage and performing an hour and a half show takes stamina, especially when one adds choreography…like I do! 😉
Over the past few years, I’ve been singing with my Big Fancy Band, a 12 piece band with rhythm section, horns, strings and background vocals. My next gig in October 2024 will be a more intimate house concert and circling back to a more organic singer/songwriter vibe.
…and I’m very excited to announce that it seems I might be recording a new project next year! This will be my 4th singer/songwriter project.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Since we’re on the subject of ‘self-care’, I think the fact that I was raised in a household very aware of diet helps. When I moved to LA at 21, I became very interested in the mind/body connection and my real journey began then. I found out pretty quickly that there’s no one size fits all, and that we have to be patient and determined to find what works best for us. Our bodies are our vessels. We just need to listen to what they ask of us. They hold together everything we need to live our best lives. Your Life will Thank you!
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I’m a firm believer in diving into whatever your biggest Passion and Love is. Is that where everyone’s strengths are? Maybe not, but I’m rooting for everyone to do what they LOVE. If it’s not your biggest strength, it probably will be in time with enough patience, focus, study and practice.
Find what you Need to be the best and happiest you, and do That!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ginakronstadt.com
- Instagram: muzicbelle
- Facebook: gina kronstadt
- Youtube: gina kronstadt
Image Credits
Stefanie Fife Photography
Bob Barry Photography
Cat Connor
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
