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Barbara Paschke, cello

Oct 24 2018

Where did you grow up? Plattsburgh, NY

Where do you currently live? Stow, MA

What instrument(s) do you play? Cello

Educational background: BM Ithaca College School of Music; MM New England Conservatory

Personal Information (family, pets, kids, etc.): Husband, David, also a cellist in PSO. Two children, Daniel and Bekah, both adopted from Cambodia.

How did you get started in music? I started cello in third grade. My father was a high school principal and believed strongly that music was an essential part of education. It was a family rule that we all played an instrument and were required to practice most days of the week. I picked cello because my siblings played flute and violin. I knew I wanted something with a lower sound.

What non-PSO musical activities do you participate in? I love to teach so I maintain a large studio of students that has ranged from age 3 to about 80. (That student never confessed his real age to me.) It is so much fun to watch my students grow and learn to make music a part of their lives. My teaching commitment, along with the PSO, gives me very little time to pursue other musical endeavors.

What’s your favorite PSO memory to date? This is a hard question to answer but the concert with Renee Fleming has to be near the top.

What is the question you’re asked most often when you tell people you play with the PSO? Do you really drive all the way to Portland?

If you couldn’t be a musician, what would be your dream job? I really can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.

Any non-musical hobbies? I love to read and spend time with my children.

What is your favorite music? What are you currently listening to? With a 10 and 12 year old in the house I don’t think you want to know what I am currently listening to.

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