588: Kiyoe Wellington on forging your own path - a podcast by Jason Heath

from 2019-05-09T10:00

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Kiyoe Kaimana Delphine Wellington is on an inspiring journey through the music world.  After picking up the violin at an early age, Kiyoe switched to bass at age six and began daily lessons on the instrument with her renowned grandfather George Wellington.

Kiyoe was a part of the Hawaii Contrabass Festival as she grew up, and she has been attending International Society of Bassists conventions for the past 20 years.

After spending her senior year of high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Kiyoe studied with Todd Seeber at the New England Conservatory.  Todd actually studied with George Wellington while he was living in Hawaii and returned many times to take part in the Hawaii Contrabass Festival.

After New England Conservatory, Kiyoe went to graduate school at the University of California San Diego, where she worked with Mark Dresser.  She is a passionate advocate of solo bass explorations, and she appeared on the PBS’s show playing solo bass on From the Top when she was 15.

Kiyoe is currently a fellow at the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester in Switzerland, and she will be taking part in the Lucerne Festival this summer.

We talk about her grandfather, her path through music, some recent contemporary music projects that she has been involved with, how practicing on the bass has changed for her over the years, advice for students at the beginning of their careers, and much more!

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D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

 

Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

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