Meet the ACO Musicians- Jerry Weiss

1.  Where were you born?  Tell us a little about your youth and upbringing.

 

Israel- raised in Toronto, Canada.

 

2.  Earliest musical memories?

 

Walking to violin lessons.

 

3.  Your education?  Where did you attend college, primary teachers?

 

High school dropout (Editors note: Jerry is only kidding!)

 

4.  Why did you choose your instrument?

 

Parent's decided.

 

5.  When did you know you wanted to be a professional musician?

 

15 years old- a new teacher inspired me...

 

6.  Who were/are your most important musical influences?

 

Itzhak Perlman, Ruggiero Ricci, Paganini

 

7.  Most inspiring composers?

 

Sibelius, Stravinsky

 

8.  What would you be if not a musician?

 

An architect

 

9.  Your favorite thing about playing in the ACO?

 

Repertoire

  

10.  With what other ensembles do you perform/where do you teach?

 

Orlando Symphony, Mantovani Orchestra, various projects.

 

11.  What is in your CD player right now?

 

"French Beyond the Basics"

 

12.  What do you like to do outside of work/hobby/pastimes?

 

Travel, gardening, working on house.

 

13.  Anything else particularly interesting or enlightening you would like to share?

 

I just returned from a 2 week tour to China as Concertmaster of the Mantovani Orchestra.  I enjoy playing viola and I repair and sell string instruments.