IDA FINDIKU

The Next Chapter

When did you first get into music?

I started playing the violin in the first grade and my story has a funny beginning. The local school offered music lessons after classes and on my very first day of school I sat near someone who was already registered for violin classes. Being a curious kid, I went to all my friend’s lessons for a whole semester and fell in love with the violin. I looked straight at the teacher’s eyes and begged her to take me as a student. After a few months of seeing me in the corner of the class the teacher finally asked: ‘Do you have parents, or no?”. That day I ran home as fast as I could to my parents and asked them to dress up and look good enough to convince the teacher for me. They got very puzzled because it was the first time I ever mentioned the violin. My parents did dress and impress and I started violin in the second semester of the first grade. I was only seven years old and very curious.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

The notion of music itself has inspired me all my life. I decided to become a performer at a very young age, even though I had the chance to pursue other careers. There were at least five times in my life when I needed to decide if I was continuing with music or changing direction. I chose music because it was the most challenging concept for me to absorb.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing?

My music has evolved from strictly classical to almost all genres. I say this because I am trained professionally to play anything I’m hired to perform. After 29 years in the industry, I believe I am lucky to have had classical music as my foundation to build upon and expand on other genres. My next style to tackle is jazz, especially improvising.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Curiosity drives me. I get curious like a child in almost everything I encounter in life. Classical music makes me easily curious because I see it as one of the most organic yet complex expressions of our humanity. As for all the other emotions you mention, I deliver them clearly when the music demands for it.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

I’m a born storyteller. I strongly believe that my own human experience and the path I’ve walked makes me unique. This translated in the music industry means that I am often more animated and colorful, given my Albanian/Mediterranean background. Mixing that fiery passion with intellectual curiosity makes me a strong storyteller. I just tell the stories with a small wooden box.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

My biggest challenge has been and always will be my harshest critic, myself. I haven’t been able to overcome yet the idea of perfectionism. Unfortunately, this notion stands at the core of all classical musicians, which does more harm to an artist than it seems. I believe I will overcome this challenge within myself when I will allow myself to fully enjoy the performance and let go of my insecurities. I am very close to achieving this and won’t ever give up on my dream!

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I believe all people are artists deep down. Unfortunately, suffering is part of our reality. So why not suffer for what keeps your soul alive? However, I personally draw the line at the notion of losing one’s humanity for the purpose of making it in the arts.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet is one of the best platforms to support the music business. I have often found students and gigs through online sources and it has been a successful experience. The internet has great tool for artists to share their work from the comfort of their home, especially now during a world pandemic.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

I have mostly shared short creative videos online with my own photography and classical music from my own CD. This is mostly because I am old school and enjoy the audience’s energy close to me as I perform. However, I think it is time to get out of my comfort zone and start live-streaming. I think the response, both the audience’s and my own, will be more enthusiastic for live-streaming than my short videos.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

The financial reality in the music industry is extremely alarming, especially for the classical musicians. I am the typical example of the artist who has all the musicians. I am the typical example of the artist who has all the typical example of the artist who has all the required degrees or preparation and still cannot find steady work but for temporary gigs. We need a world where musicians make a living out of their profession, ASAP.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

I have been mostly influenced all my life by artists and their journey rather than one specific album. These artists have become part of me throughout the years because of their unique voice and aesthetic. I love and admire their humanity above all and that is why they are part of my life.

Hillary Hahn -violinist, Dario Marianelli -composer, Damien Rice - Singer/Songwriter, Augustin Hadelichviolinist, Amy Winehouse -Singer/Songwriter.

What is the best advise you have received?

One of my professors gave me the best advice right before a graduate recital, a major performance for a young artist in school. She told me to not shy away from all the emotions I am feeling at the moment, instead to use them in my performance. The outcome was a very raw and liberating performance. I cried on stage for the first time ever.

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

I am slowly working on bringing back the repertoire from my very first CD - Part of Me. It is all classical Albanian music with solo violin and piano accompaniment. This music connects me with parts of myself that make me feel even more Albanian. This preparation is in the hopes of promoting the CD through live performances.

What’s next for you?

I hope to find a college professor position after this pandemic. My heart is set on helping the new generation understanding our world and making it a better place for us all. I have been stuck on this dream for a while now. Ask me in 10 years and I will update you on my journey of making this dream come true.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

Thank you everyone for reading about me! You can reach me through these platforms: Facebook - Ida Findiku Instagram - Idushkaa YouTube - Ida Findiku