Meet the Musician Monday: Violinist Jessica Dan Fan

Where did you grow up? Did you grow up in a musical family?

I grew up in Sichuan, China (where the hot and spicy food is from:)). Both of my parents were music professors. I started to play when I was 3 years old, and my first violin was personally made by my dad. I was admitted to the pre-college division of Central Conservatory Of Music in Beijing when I turned 10. That year, there were 12 students admitted to the school after 4 rounds of national auditions. There were 6 violins, 2 cellos, 3 pianos and 1 harp. In order to study in the prestigious school, I had to bid farewell to my parents and my hometown to live on campus which was a 3 hour  plane ride away. Music has been a major part of my life since then.

Jessica at 3 years old holding her
first violin which her father made for her

What is your position in the orchestra and when did you join? 

I play in the violin section in the orchestra. I joined in 2002 after serving 4 years in the U.S. Airforce Strings.

What brought you to the states for your job?

I left Beijing to come to the States right after the Tiananmen Square Protests in 1989. At the time, I had just graduated from the pre-college division at the Conservatory and decided not to continue my studies there. Though I received excellent training, I have always believed that Western music has to be studied in the west.  

What has been your most favorite musical experience at KCOHO?

The 10 years of working with Director Domingo has been my favorite experience. His unparalleled performances, especially his passion and love for opera and music in general made me feel so fortunate to be working for the KCOHO.

What made you decide to play violin and where did you do your musical studies?

I have to attribute my first love of violin to my parents. I started to learn from my father at three. I was told that I had such a tomboy personality, my parents had to find me something to occupy my time so I wouldn't get into trouble otherwise. Spending my formative years in the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing pretty much solidified my path to becoming a musician professionally. I went to The University of Miami, School of Music on full scholarship after 8 years in the pre-college division of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, to study with Prof. Tom Moore. Upon graduation from Miami, I came to University of Maryland for my Master's degree in violin performance and studied with Mr. Arnold Steinhardt.

Do you hold any other positions outside of the orchestra? 

I really enjoy teaching. My students are seen in AYP, TCSYO, VA All State Orchestra, Fairfax Symphony etc. I have taught at the Levine School of Music, the NSO Summer Music Institute and have been teaching at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival for the past few years. Teaching is such a rewarding experience when I see my students grow both musically and personally.  I also regularly give solo and chamber recitals with my long time friend and colleague, pianist Narciso Solero. And when schedule allowed, I have played with BSO, Wolf Trap Opera and National Gallery Orchestra etc.

Have you had any other jobs prior to KCOHO?  

Before joining KCOHO, I was a member of the United States Air Force Strings for 4 years. It was an unforgettable experience, from the 6-week long boot camp  to traveling the world on military airplanes ( C-130, KC-135...and I have even been on a retired Airforce One once), to playing for the presidents and the dignitaries in the White House...Nothing comes close to the demand both physically and mentally and the fun and comradeship you can build with your friends and fellow musicians.  

Jessica performing as a part of the Air Force Strings
for Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit

Jessica on a European tour with her Air Force Strings
comrades waiting for take-off on a KC-135 

Do you have any "hobbies" outside of music?

I enjoy yoga and meditation very much. I really try hard to make it a daily practice.  After nearly 2 years of practicing, I find myself being able to do the poses that I would never imagine doing. I am now more flexible than when I was in my college years! It helps me tremendously with my strength, balance, flexibility and a peaceful mentality which is much needed for the challenging job we have as opera orchestra musicians! My other hobby would have to be cooking! I love to cook when I have time. Though I'm from Sichuan, China, my cooking style really is a mixture of southern and northern Chinese cuisine. Last but not the least, I love travelling, especially doing so with my husband Ning and 2 kids Tommy and Leia.  Things to experience, people to meet, and new food to try always leave me mesmerized after each trip. If music is a universal language that can unite us all, then travel makes one modest, and you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world!

Some of Jessica's favorite
Chinese dishes that she cooks

Jessica with her husband Ning in Iceland

Meet the Musician Monday: Hornist Wei-Ping Chou

Where are you from originally? When did you move to the US?

I grew up in Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, and moved to US to attend Idyllwild Arts Academy as a freshman in high school.

Where did you do your musical studies?

After Idyllwild Arts Academy, I attended the Manhattan School of Music for my bachelor’s degree studying with Jerome Ashby, and continued my graduate studies (master’s and artist diploma) at the Juilliard School with Julie Landsman.

What made you choose the French horn?

My mom (who is a piano and music teacher) picked for me when I was in third grade. I was in a special music program where every student was required to play the piano and another orchestral instrument.

She thought that string instruments were too expensive, and that they required too much maintenance. She also didn’t want me to worry about reed making, so woodwinds were out. (Meanwhile, too many people played the flute already.) She thought tuba and trombone were too big for me and trumpets are too loud. With the process of elimination, she chose horn! She believed it was cost-effective, weatherproofed, and kid-friendly. I thank her decision to this day!

How many auditions have you taken? Can you give us a little background on your audition history?

I stopped really counting at one point. Mostly because the number got huge, and I didn’t want that number to discourage me from working toward my dream.

I have been taking auditions since my second year in college, and I wasn’t one of those players who won them early on. But l kept going. I have been in the finals for bigger orchestras like LA Phil, but have been rejected plenty of times in first rounds by many others also.

Do you have any advice for musicians who are planning to take auditions?

Don’t give up if this is what you really want! I didn’t win my job right out of school, and I have taken 50+ auditions. I have always wanted to be in an orchestra, and I knew it required lots of practicing, passion, persistence, determination, and a little bit luck to get there. When I say "luck", I don’t mean just pure luck, but that you need to perform well on the day of the audition, and to also have similar musical ideas and sound concepts as that specific committee/orchestra.

I like to compare taking orchestra auditions with playing the video game “Mario Kart”.
When I was at Tanglewood Music Center, my roommate had a game cube in our dorm room, and we would play Mario Kart. I wasn’t very good at it, and when you are not good at something, it’s just not fun. I was determined to be better, so I spent three hours a day practicing on it. (Determination and practicing for the auditions!) I started practicing as a solo driver, but I was so bad at it, I couldn’t see any improvement, so I would write down the time for each lap; whenever I got faster, I’d erase the previous time, and write down a new one. (Recording and writing down notes.) When you start to see (hear) improvements, you start to get encouraged. (gaining confidence) Once I learned all the tracks well, I started to add in computer players. (Learned all your music, and time for live rounds!) Lots of things could happen when you add in the unknown-you could be leading and get hit my a turtle shell and fall off a track. (playing well, and a distraction happened, and you made a huge mistake). But you stay calm: knowing you did all the preparations you possibly could, and you knew the track (music) inside out. You collect yourself and keep going. Or you started to get excited right before the finish line, because it’s going so well, and that’s when mistakes happen, and that’s another reminder: it’s not over until it’s over.

In addition to playing with our orchestra, you also play with a few other ensembles. Can you tell us a bit about what it’s like working with Orpheus and Marlboro?

Playing with amazing musicians in a chamber music setting is one of the most uplifting experiences for me. They are collaborative experiences with inspiring fellow musicians where we feed off of each other’s energy. They motivate and encourage me to be the best musician that I can be. I feel very fortunate to experience this magical feeling of camaraderie during each and every thrilling performance with these outside groups.

What do you like to do outside of French Horn?

Since 2014, I have been trying/learning/doing something new each month, and from there I have found my new passion outside of music: flying trapeze! I fly on a regular bases and loving every minute of it. It’s everything I never thought I could possibly do. Other than that, I also have a great appreciation toward good eats, and therefore I cook and bake quite a bit. I like to keep a creative mind when possible, so I also knit and make earrings!