Where did you grow up?  Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Where do you currently live?  Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

What instruments do you play?  Violin.

Educational background:  Pre-med Columbia University; Masters Eastman School of Music; Bachelor Degree Philadelphia Musical Academy.

Family, Pets, Kids:  Married to Steve Blumenthal. Four children: Andrew (23), Kelsey (22), Corey (20), and Jaime (19).

How did you get started in music?  I stole a violin out of a music shop in Buffalo N.Y. when I was four.

What non-PSO musical activities do you participate in?  Private teaching in my home and I’m also an Orchestra member at Radio City Music Hall.

Describe a typical day:  Walk the dog, household chores, help my 87 year old mother, teach several students, dog walk for several hours, teach several more students, cook, business phone calls, deal with whatever is the crisis of the day.

What is the question you’re asked most often when you tell people you play with the PSO?  How do you like the conductor? 

If you couldn’t be a musician, what would be your dream job?   Physician or pilot.

Any non-musical hobbies?  I wish, but no time.

Who or what has b.een your greatest influence, musical or otherwise?  My grandmother, dance training and my piano teacher.

Favorite eats in Portland?  Now that we are vegan there are not too many choices. Formerly:  Street and Company, Fore Street, and Emilitsa.

Contact Info for potential students: (e) shakcj1@aol.com  (p) 207-767-7076