Meet Laurie Vodnoy Wright

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laurie Vodnoy Wright a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Laurie, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

Such great questions!.

Where do we learn to be optimistic and resilient. I learned from a very early age from my parents. They were very optimistic. I believe they lived through kindness by giving to others. Both of my parents were very involved in the arts community. Music, theater, painting, drawing, and ballet were immensely important to them. I started ballet and violin at 4 however my impression began before birth. It was my heritage.

I was born in South Bend, Indiana. A very safe city with a lot of freedom to bike ride, walk, and explore. I remember riding my bike at 6 years old to go have my violin lesson. We didn’t have a cell phone or a way to check in. I biked to my teachers house took my lesson and explored the journey home.

My parents always gave me the gift of a great deal of freedom and always supported where ever my journey went. I learned from watching their journey. They never said “No” they always watched, listened and supported. That freedom nurtured my soul and vision.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My journey began very young. My professional career began at the age of 16 years old. I joined the American Federation of Musicians and started performing throughout the United States, Austria and Israel. My travels to Israel brought my enjoyment of being a violinist to a Kibbutz in Haifa. I went on to perform with the Midwest Chamber Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra for 16 years, Sarasota Opera, Tampa Opera, Florida Opera West, Kentucky Opera, the Kuchel Austria Festival, Nashville Symphony, Lexington Symphony, Battle Creek Symphony, Avanti String Quartet, South Bend Symphony, and Kalamazoo Symphony.

Since I was a very young violin student I loved sharing music with the very young to all our senior loved ones. A very special place to perform is for Alzheimer and Parkinson patients. They are comforted through music. One of my favorite places to share the sounds of special music is at Parkinson Place, Kobernick Aviva, and our loved ones at Tidewell Hospice. Music brings so much calm and joy.

I had so many wonderful mentors and teachers. I studied with Adia Ghertovicci and Victor Aitay in Chicago.They taught me hard work and the importance of listening and immersing myself inside the music. They taught me through my bow arm to feel the sound through every strand of hair.

I have been asked what are my favorite composers. One of my favorite classical music composers is Vivaldi.
Contemporary composers that I listen to are Max Richter, Phillip Glass, Caroline Shaw, Hania Rani, Luke Howard, and creative collaborations of ambient music exploring other artists journey. I love attending the concerts at the ‘Bang on a Can” festival in NYC each year.

I am very excited to share with you that I Co-founded the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota with my brother Robert Vodnoy in 2017. The COS is beginning our 9th season in 2026. Our concerts in the coming season are:

January 22
February 19
March 26

We perform in Sarasota at the First Presbyterian Church at 2050 Oak Street. All the concerts are at 7:30.
www.chamberorchestrasarasota.org

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

My most important quality is my strong sense I have to understand the world and to question where is my journey. Secondly, the freedom I was gifted from my parents is the essence of that journey which centers in music. My third quality is my love for the creative arts which is the center of all I do.

I am the very happiest when I am playing the violin. Perhaps beginning the violin at the very young age of 4 created the sound that brings me to a very calm center. When I use the bow across the strings the meditation of the sound focuses my being and opens me up to explore what life is about.

I love the tempo of Adagio. Adagio is a very slow tempo, typically between 55 and 76 beats per minute. The definition of Adagio suggests a relaxed pace, sequences of slow movements as in ballet. A paint brush can explore the sound of Adagio as well. I can change my tempo of my day if I imagine my bow across the strings.

My inner voice is nurtured from the arts. I always want to make music, paint, draw, color, sculpt clay, dance, and write. I want to be a part of the wonderful world of creating. Creating, freedom, and finding joy.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would love to always collaborate with dancers, contemporary musicians, artists and nature.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Abby W. Day photography

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