Q: How is your name pronounced?
"[Kur-Stin]... I think people get various versions of my name because of the actress Kirsten Dunst. Her name isn't pronounced like mine." Q: What is your favorite genre to play? "I love playing impressionist music. The sounds blend together making it sound like a water color painting. It's not technical like classical, so I can feel a lot of emotions with this type of music." Q: What is your favorite piece to listen to? "I love listening to Addison Agen's rendition of Humble and Kind. It's a good reminder that no matter what is going on, I can always go back to where I started." Q: What inspires you to continue to pursue music? "The people that I have played for are the people that inspire me. I don't play music for myself. I do it for other people, and if I can bring a smile upon someone's face with my music, it makes it all worth it." Q: What is your goal in life and what drives that for you? "My goal in life is to be able to help kids achieve success through their passion. I have been blessed by numerous people who believed in me, and they have given me opportunities I would only dream of. I want that for others."
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ANDREA: PROFESSIONAL CELLISTAndrea's Background: Andrea has been the Director of the Orchestra, Piano & IB Music at James Island Charter High School since 2007. The Piano program was established in 2008 and has grown to be the largest, most successful in the Southeast Region! A native of Miami, Florida, she has her Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of South Carolina where she was the Graduate Assistant of the USC String Project. Andrea earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a double-principal in piano and cello from the University of Miami. Andrea appears as featured solo cellist throughout the Charleston area in a multitude of settings and is known for her classical-style playing as well as her ability to improvise in a less standard setting. We are grateful that she is a part of the Lowcountry Pianist & Company team and we enjoyed getting to know her better through our recent interview! Q: What is your favorite quote?
"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." - Aldous Huxley Q: Name Your Top Favorite 3 Books / Movies: "Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen The Count of Monte Cristi by Alexander Dumas Meet Me in St. Louis (Film Starring Judy Garland)" Lowcountry Pianist & Company participated in South Carolina’s Hilton Head Bridal Show on Sunday, hosted by Hilton Head Monthly Publication at the beautiful Belfair Club. It was an amazing event and, as always, we had an incredible time sharing music and meeting newly engaged couples. With every incredible bridal show we participate in, I wish I had attended a show when planning my own wedding. I strongly believe they are a must do for six primary reasons. You will… ✔ Increase Your EfficiencyAlthough exciting, planning a wedding can certainly be time-consuming due to all the decisions you need to make for your big day! Bridal shows provide you the opportunity to meet many local vendors in one day. Professional photographers, caterers, musicians, florists, venues, DJ’s, and more are all in one location! Also meeting potential members of your wedding team in person truly makes a huge difference!
Undeniably music is essential to a beautiful wedding day, however, when brides are making checklists of what to include in their wedding day, I am often asked what are the advantages to including live music over recorded music. Here are four reasons that live music should be included in every wedding: Atmosphere: Live music allows for a higher aesthetic quality. Music changes the atmosphere of any event and fosters memories that are unique and specific to that day! Adaptability: Whether the aisle is 20 feet or 200 feet, a professional musician can adapt and pace the music to allow for seamless transitions. Abrupt stops in recorded music can easily become tacky and distracting to a beautiful ceremony. Additionally, the music itself can be catered to personal preferences in instrumentation, tempo, and style. Maybe the hard rock version of a song doesn’t match a couple’s vision, but an adapted, acoustic version of the song would be perfect and unique. Live music gives couples the opportunity to be creative! Affordability: According to The Knot, the current average cost of a wedding is $31,213. Although couples may spend less or more, it is undeniable that music packages starting at $350 are relatively affordable when planning a wedding and are worth the investment! Advice: Making decisions about music can be overwhelming at times and it is incredibly helpful to have an experienced musician on your team to make it an easy and fun process. Professional musicians can provide consultation to assist in choosing the right music. Getting married in the Lowcountry of SC and considering adding live music on your wedding day? We would love to share more with you about our company -- feel free to reach out to us! With appreciation - “Lowcountry Pianist”
“Music Is Not What I Do, It’s Who I Am” - Unknown How do you define yourself? Often, when introducing myself to people, however, I identify myself by stating “I am a musician.” Music radiates every area of my life. From my earliest moments it has been a significant part of each day. Music is ... … how I express my faith. … how I cope with stress. … how I release creativity. … how I am able to earn a living. … and so much more. I am a musician and I feel incredibly fortunate to live in the Lowcountry of SC where music is respected and valued. For me, each week holds variety through music therapy, private piano instruction, and professional music performances, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Specifically, launching Lowcountry Pianist & Co. has been incredibly rewarding. We have enjoyed connecting with and serving members of our community over the past 6 months. This blog will be the hub to learn more about our company, to share resources to assist as you plan your event, and to provide pointers for other musicians and small business owners. Welcome! With appreciation - “Lowcountry Pianist”
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