Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Knight.
Hi Nina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My life as a musician started when I was a small child. I learned to read music around the same time I was learning to read. At 9 years old I started playing violin and by 10 I knew I wanted to be a professional musician. As soon as I learned it was an option, I wanted to earn a doctorate degree and teach college. So, I did. My path was not linear. I did my undergraduate studies in violin at Florida State University, then went to Manhattan School of Music to do a MM degree. MSM turned out not to be the best fit for me. So I left New York in late 2008 and started teaching private lessons and orchestra in Georgia in 2009. My experience as an orchestra teacher led me to play viola. In 2012 I started a MM again in viola this time and went on to do my DMA in viola as well. My background in violin, viola, and classroom teaching shaped my perspective as a string teacher and community advocate. While working on my DMA, I started teaching at SHSU, but over the past two years, I realized that I wanted to work in the community to bring music programs to people who may not have access to them. One of my student’s parents approached me about starting a learning orchestra. As I was already leaning towards more community work, I loved the idea. So, after almost a year of planning Houston Orchestra for All (HOFA) was born.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been very bumpy. My father passed away in my junior year of undergrad in 2007, my mentor/beloved violin professor died of breast cancer in 2010, and my grandmother died suddenly in 2013. It felt like my family was on a 3-year cycle of tragic loss. The loss deeply impacted my 20s, my career, my musicality, and my professional goals. However, through all of it, I was determined to keep going. I kept seeking something greater and higher. It was after my mentor died that I started playing viola while teaching orchestra. It was not just the switch to teaching orchestra that inspired the change in instrument. It was where I was in my life. My violin professor taught me to be a compassionate teacher and musician. The grief after losing so many people so close together shaped my way of teaching, playing, and moving in the world. It taught me to be compassionate and persistent.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional musician, so I have many jobs. I play violin and viola, teach lessons, perform, and work with a local non-profit organization Brazos Music. I am also the director and co-founder of Houston Orchestra for All (HOFA). Creating HOFA with co-founder Suzanne Reyes has been a transformative experience. I am very interested in creating musical opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Community music-making is a special experience and being able to provide a safe, fun, and educational space for folks to make music and learn to play in an ensemble is incredibly rewarding. Compassionate, creative teaching is the foundation of my belief system. Music-making is at the core of who I am and being able to share that with people is priceless. As a performing artist, I am most interested in small collaborations. This season I’m performing a unique concert with my husband. It is a combination of storytelling and musical performance. Seeking out creative ways to engage with the audience is my favorite aspect of planning programs and performing.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I teach violin and viola lessons and would love to have more people join HOFA (hofatx.org). I also work with other musicians to create unique performance opportunities and have presented lectures/presentations at national and state-wide conferences on Compassionate Teaching and Building Inclusive Communities. Reach out and I’m happy to come to talk to your group or collaborate in any other way.
Contact Info:
- Website: nbkstrings.com
- Instagram: @ninabknight
Image Credits
Lynn Lane
Stephen Brown
Guillermo Hernandez-Ching
Dan Knight
