Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Sullivan.
Hi Megan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My passion for music began as far back as preschool worship hour within my church. Three musicals a year, for the next seven years, I was opened up to the many different ways that music could be interpreted and produced as an art form. It was in the midst of these elementary school years that I decided I wanted to learn to learn to play a musical instrument; thus leading to beginning my studies on the violin at the age of nine.
I was privileged to have been taught by dedicated and talented musicians from the beginning of my musical journey. It is largely because of these wonderful educators that my enthusiasm for music took such a stronghold. All through my pre-college schooling, I was involved with orchestra and choir. Ranging from assistant concertmaster in the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, to singing on stage in Oliver; I was engrossed in multiple aspects of the diverse world of music.
I first realized the possibility of making a career in music when my high school choir director asked me of my future plans in regards to college. When I seemed unsure, he encouraged the possibility of pursuing music as a career. This was Mr. Richard Wesp, a man well into his 70’s, whose opinion I greatly valued. He was a talented musician, and a highly respected teacher throughout Ohio. With the extraordinary help of Mr. Wesp, as well as my private violin teachers; Ms. Dorothy Han and Mr. Gabe Pegis, I applied and auditioned at six undergraduate schools of music throughout the United States. This lead to my acceptance at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. It was at BW that I honed my skills under the guidance of professor Julian Ross and numerous other talented and knowledgeable teachers and professors.
After BW, I have gone on to perform in Austria, to playing onstage with classical symphonies, to playing with celebrities such as Michael Buble, Josh Groban, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Especially during my formative years, I wasn’t always inspired to practice. The problem that myself and most people forget is, if you want to be good at something, it takes consistent dedicated practice. If I wasn’t instantly good or successful at something, I got extremely discouraged. A specific moment that comes to mind was when I was 13. I was already involved in the prestigious Cincinnati Junior String program, but it was time to audition and hopefully move up to the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO ) high school program. Unfortunately, extreme nerves got the best of me, and I ‘only’ made the alternate position, rather than being fully accepted. Hearing this news I was distraught, emotionally telling my mom that I was officially done with the violin. However, my mom pointed to a personalized note from the CSYO conductor, saying, “You had a beautiful audition.
Please accept the extremely important alternate position, and we will absolutely see you next year (maybe this year if we’re lucky!)” It was this blurb, as well as my mother’s and teacher’s encouraging words, that kept me from quitting the violin that day.
As with any field, being a freelancer comes with its own challenges. Personally, I feel that it takes a lot of inner motivation to continue pushing to new levels, because nobody else is going to do that for you. If you want more clients, you have to go out and find ways to reach them. If you want to be in demand, you’re the person pushing you to practice every day to keep improving.
Additionally, being a professional, it’s easy to get sucked into the thought, “So many musicians are better than you, why bother at all? It’s a job, and I’m not the very best, so what’s the point?” It’s then that I remind myself that I am so lucky to turn something so beautiful and joyous into a career. Plus, like Henry Van Dyke said, “Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Specializing in weddings, I play everything from Baroque and Classical music, to today’s hits on the radio. In the last month alone I’ve played everything from Bach, to The Beatles, to Romanian music, to Dua Lipa. I offer services for ceremonies, parties, receptions, galas, memorials, you name it.
One thing that I think sets me apart from others, is that I’m always willing to try something new. If you have a song that has special meaning to you, I will learn it, no matter the genre. This has lead to my song lists being quite extensive! It makes me extremely happy to see songs like Hallelujah, Halo, Hard Place, Havana, Here Comes the Sun, and tons more all in a row.
Like myself, people seem to be drawn to the idea of a classical instrument playing contemporary music. I love pulling out my electric violin and playing songs by artists like Beyonce, Clean Bandit, and Bruno Mars and seeing people react excitedly to their favorite songs.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the cultural and musical diversity of Cleveland. Any day of the week, you can find numerous events spanning all musical and artistic genres.
There can be a Broadway musical happening at Playhouse Square, a band of every genre playing at all different musical venues, the world renowned Cleveland Orchestra performing a symphony, and tons of festivals, art walks, galleries, and private events happening simultaneously!
I’d say the thing I like the least about CLE is the long winter. I can deal with the temperatures and snow, but it simply makes it more difficult to book events. When the weather is nice, there are so many more opportunities for artists to be outside showcasing their talents!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.megansullivanviolin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megansullivanviolin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megansullivanviolin/
Image Credits
Kendrick At Dawn Photography
Too Much Awesomeness
Megan Sullivan Photography
