"Things couldn't be better": everyday life as a violinist at university

The Kalaidos University of Music was founded in 2011 and today is the only private university of applied sciences to play an important role in the Swiss educational landscape. Its international orientation includes a worldwide network of renowned cooperation partners. The wide range of courses on offer includes music studies in the fields of classical, jazz and popular music and offers students the greatest possible flexibility with close personal support.

Ms. Kulmer, why did you choose Kalaidos University?
The special thing about Kalaidos University is that you can complete your studies at an unbelievable level, regardless of location. Studying at the university gives me the privilege of not only receiving the best possible training in areas such as business, fundraising and self-marketing, which is essential for me as a future professional musician. I also have the opportunity to study with Prof. Alexander Gilman, who teaches at the Kalaidos University of Music and the Royal College of Music. With him I can develop both my technical skills on the instrument and my musicality at the highest level.

Prof. Gilman, your teacher, teaches in London. How does it work?
Since I have decided to move from London, where I lived at the beginning of my Master's in Performance, to Switzerland, I have adapted my lessons so that I have both online lessons and face-to-face lessons with Prof. Gilman in London. This has enabled us to establish a very good level of communication over a longer period of time. I have to say, it couldn't be going better!

Speaking of which, what do you think about online teaching, including the group modules at Kalaidos University?
I think the lecturers are doing a great job! I personally have only had positive experiences with online teaching. Of course, face-to-face teaching is also very important. But for the future, I think that a combination of online and face-to-face teaching is the perfect solution, as Kalaidos has already implemented.

What are your studies like on a day-to-day basis?
How do you integrate private lessons, didactics and modular lessons into your life as a musician? My everyday life consists of practicing on my own, studying music education, in which I am currently mastering the theoretical part, teaching my students and working at a private school in Basel. All of this requires well-planned time management, as I also have to prepare auditions for orchestral positions or competitions. Sport is also important as a balance; I go to the gym twice a week. I'm also interested in mental coaching and meditation.

You are currently in the middle of your second Master's degree, in classical music education. What is special and appealing about this dual education for you?
I worked with various professors in different countries from a young age and my aim as a violinist and musician is to pass on my knowledge and experience to children and young people. I am very interested in clear communication in lessons, which is why I find it exciting, for example, that one of the focal points of the pedagogy course is psychology. I hope that my studies will provide me with answers as to how I can structure and organize my lessons well and how I can respond to the needs of my pupils. I am very excited to see what else I will learn and how this Master's will have a positive impact on my future career in music.

Finally, a look into the future: what musical projects are you currently working on?
I am currently preparing intensively for a competition that could offer me both financial support and the opportunity to organize projects in Switzerland. I am also planning to apply for further auditions for an orchestral internship. I am also preparing for this summer with a new program for the Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg. And of course I am actively looking for even more students to gain lots of practical teaching experience!

Dear Ms. Kulmer, thank you very much for the interview and all the best for your pedagogy studies and your musical future!