Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaimi Grether.
Jaimi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started playing the violin when I was 9 years old on my grandfather’s violin after having attended a Dayton Philharmonic Orchesta children’s concert. My mother had won tickets to the concert through a local radio station. The experience of “drowing” in the music in the hall sparked a lifelong love of music and that “when I grew up, I was going to play the violin professionally”.
I played my first wedding at 14 years old with my school orchestra teacher in a quartet and continued to performing for events, orchestras, and musicals throughout high school and college. I initially majored in violin performance before changing directions to earn a nursing degree, getting married, and moving to NC. I worked as a Registered Nurse for 1 year full time , before returning to the violin through studying with Brian Reagin. The following 9 years, I worked “as needed” so that I could work around performing with local orchestras and care for my children.
As the Covid pandemic slowed, I decided to start Wake Forest Violin and promote my solo playing, rather than relying solely on networking. Last year, I was going through a major transition in my personal life and a friend told me that the owner of Save the Date Music was retiring and connected us. I am honored to now lead Save the Date Music and continue Wake Forest Violin to help couples and clients create unforgetable moments through live music.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had to work very hard to get where I am today. I greatly struggled with performance anxiety ever since I began to play, until I took an online course during covid, Music Mastery Experience, where I was finally able to work to become proud of my work.
When I dropped out of music school, I was devastated as that was what I had dreamt of doing for so many years, but my performance anxiety was at a very high level and I just could not continue in the environement. Nursing school was also very stressful, but I learned many new skills, especially around communication that were helpful when I was able to return to music.
Balancing being a mother to four children, a nursing career, and a music career was very challenging.
It has also been an exciting challenge to learn about administrative tasks, marketing, networking, teams, etc in running a business.
I also had some very difficult personal challenges along the way that have taught me resilience and help me to keep pursuing the work I love to do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a violinist and director of both Save the Date Music and Wake Forest Violin, I get to live my dream of playing the violin through bringing couples and clients musical visions to life. I love finding out about events and the best music to make the atmosphere happen- from classical, Bridgerton, R&B, pop, jazz, Bollywood, etc. I love playing eclectic music. I am known for being organzed, communicative, and emotive playing. I am most proud to have accomplished my dream of playing professionally as my career, which I am so grateful has also included subbing with the North Carolina Symphony and playing with the North Carolina Opera as well as many other wonderful regional orchestras in addtion to playing for weddings, private events, and corporate events. My love and passion for music and for bringing the music to life for couples and clients as well as my prompt communications set me apart from others.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The forescore app is very helpful in my music work.
I find Babble and Duolingo to be helpful.
I enjoy the app Grow Girl for exercise plans.
Books: Galamian-Principles of Violin Playing and Teaching
Podcasts: Mind over Finger
Tim Ferris Show
Contact Info:
- Website: Savethedatemusic.com / Wakeforestviolin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wake_forest_violin?igsh=MWk4amYxYzd3YnJxMw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1P75t8GHVE/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/savethedatemusic?utm_source=qr
