Young violinist flourishes on any stage
Violinist JiaJia Farr thrives when she’s performing for an audience. It’s her opportunity to connect with the community whether its playing at local farmers markets or on stage at the Wachholz College Center.
“I don’t think I could be a musician who didn’t perform,” she said. “Playing is not enough for me.”
Farr, 16, has been playing the violin since the age of 5. What began as a childhood interest has grown into her passion.
In the last decade Farr has devoted herself to mastering her instrument and for nine years has been studying under world-renowned violinist Wai Mizutani. Last week Farr accompanied Mizutani to perform during the inauguration ceremony for statewide elected officials in Helena.
Her introduction to the violin came so early in life, it’s her mom Teresa Farr who recalls the beginning. The family who now live outside Columbia Falls was residing in Utah at the time and involved in a homeschool group. They were around others who played the violin, which gave Teresa the inspiration to introduce the instrument to her daughter.
“She’s really good at music and she’s got a very good voice,” Teresa said. “She did theater for seven years with the homeschool group. To be out and on stage, it just seems to be something she really enjoys."
Putting her musical talents on center stage, later this month Farr is hosting a free public 16th birthday concert. The evening will include solo and duo performances, along with a few vocal performances. She plans for the music to be a mix of classical, film and Broadway songs — her best songs, but also her favorites.
"I’ve known other people who have done birthday concerts, and I thought it’s such a good landmark to see how much I’ve grown in a year,” she said. “I’d like to do one every year because it’s such a good landmark for where I’m at.”
Recently Farr was in the midst of narrowing down the set list for her concert while working to complete her high school coursework and preparing for her second semester at Flathead Valley Community College as she works to earn an associate degree.
The type of performance guides her practice schedule. Regular practice might be a few hours per day, but when readying to play with the Glacier Symphony alongside seasoned musicians that means additional hours.
“I play better,” Farr said, of when she has a concert on her calendar. “I’m goal-oriented. I practice with different intensity when I have a performance.”
Last year she was awarded the Adjudicator’s Choice Award at the Stillwater Christian School Music Festival and earned second place in the Music Teachers National Association competition in Montana and first place in the Montana State Music Teacher Association’s string performance competition.
She was invited to perform at the Hosea Initiative 2024 Gala in Virginia, a prestigious event that allowed her to share her music on a national stage.
Farr speaks proudly of her accomplishments but ask her about her favorite performances and she lights up talking about playing at local retirement communities and at the Conrad Mansion on the Fourth of July. Playing solo with a backing track, Farr often takes requests from the audience — a popular request is Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” along with songs by Billy Joel and The Beatles.
“I love it when random people come to me and ask for a specific song and I can play it,” she said.
Playing pop music provides a fun outlet for Farr, while classical pieces provide the opportunity to grow as a musician.
“I keep them in separate areas of my life because classical is a lot more for techniques and building on what I know and learning,” Farr said. “Pop can be more fun because I can sight read it and play it quickly. But I also like working on a song over time and figuring out how I can change it to make it sound more emotional.”
When she’s not performing and practicing, Farr serves as an assistant music teacher and violin instructor at St. Matthew’s Catholic School, working with students in grades three through five. She teaches students about the violin and reading music.
“Sometimes it’s hard, but also really fun and gratifying,” she said. “I know how it works in my head, and I’ve really had to figure out how to explain it to the students.”
JiaJia Farr hosts her 16th birthday concert on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at Flathead High School auditorium. Admission is free and birthday cake will be served afterward.
For more information about her music, visit www.jiajiafarrviolin.com.
Deputy Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.
Violinist JiaJia Farr on Wednesday, Jan. 8. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider