Estonian Violinist Reaches New Goals

When it comes to music, expectations for each performer are high. Especially for those born to a family of musicians. Gloria Ilves, an Estonian violinist performing at the Round Top Festival Institute this summer, grew up in a household of musicians, so becoming a musician herself seemed destined.

“There was no question about it,” said Ilves, when discussing her path to musicianship.

Several of her sisters play piano, as well as sing, but she chose the violin. Ilves studied violin at the Estonian Academy of Music and Arts, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2019, and decided to continue her violin studies at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. As a change of pace for this summer, Ilves decided to travel to Round Top to perform with the Texas Festival Orchestra.

“It’s been my dream to come to the US. I didn’t know what to expect, quite honestly, and I just love all the people around here. They’re so nice,” she said.

According to Ilves, ensemble rehearsals in America are different from those of the ensembles she’s been a part of recently in Estonia. In Estonia, rehearsals are typically fast paced with the expectation for musicians to keep up. But at Festival Hill in Round Top, rehearsals are more mellow, and conductors take the time to give individual feedback to each musician. Learning new teaching or performing styles can definitely be an adjustment, but Ilves has not let this deter her.

She said, “I’m still having to overcome fear and how to accept criticism. I heard one great musician say, ‘In music, you typically put yourself as a musician first. But, you need to allow yourself to focus on the music or the score.’ And that really helped me focus.”

In her career, Ilves has performed in both Estonia, Finland, and now America, but in the future Ilves hopes to travel and play all around the world. And now that most restrictions created for the COVID pandemic have been lifted, she finally has the ability to do that.

“I’m hoping to see the world, and play for as many people as possible. I definitely, in ten years, still want to be as passionate, as active a musician as I am now, if not more than. I really love it here in the US, and I want to see what else is out there,” said Ilves.