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Were you a little offended when I mistook you for Editor-San when I ran into you, Eddie, and Brett in Times Square?

I’m still kicking myself over that.

Hi Ray! I’d like to know which conductor you loved/would love to play with. As a soloist what makes a good conductor in your eyes and how do they add to your performance?

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Hey Ray, I'm looking to play La Campanella but the double stop section is rather confusing, how should I start? Additionally, how should I make sure the artificial harmonics stay in tune consistently?

Hi Ray! I just wanted to ask if you have a favourite piece/song to play and listen to? :)

Hi Ray, how do you get over performance anxiety? I have stomach aches and shaky fingers even when it's just a small recital - while you look so calm and connected to the music even when there are an entire hall watching you. What are your tips to be so calm and musical? Thanks!

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Ray, thanks for the AMA:

My question for you is how does one become a professional classical musician in the capacity that you are? Do you get picked up by a talent agent or scout or something?

Hi Ray. There has been a sentiment of avoiding using shoulder rests as much as possible because they affect the sounds and the postures while playing. To me, this opinion is absoultely bs because there is no concrete evidence. But I would like to hear about what does a professional think about it. So what is your view on this topic?

Do you still get nervous before performing? Please give us some advice on how to deal with nerves!

Thank youuuuu for answering 🥺🥺

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Hi Ray! Love what you do, your positivity, and your exuberance whenever you’re performing!

I’m about to graduate as an undergrad violin major, and have stubbornly and ambitiously charged towards chasing stages and performing professionally in the future!

However, my biggest worry is that adrenaline and self-doubt easily gets the better of me when I perform solo (never with chamber or orchestra strangely!) — do you have any tips or advice on how to best redirect the shakes/anxiety when playing on stage? Your stage presence and conviction is so inspiring and I’d love to be able to radiate that energy too!

Hope he responds to this one! Would love to hear his thoughts

Hi Ray! Who has been your favorite musician or celebrity that you’ve worked with or met?

I would want to be friends with it.

Being able to fully memorize the part can come in handy, but I would say it's down to the repertoire. Certain repertoire (like chamber music or sonatas) has an etiquette where unless all players have memorized it, you should also use music.

Also it depends on the instrument and how it affects the player. I think pianists don't get affected as much because they're more stationary, but when violinists or cellists have a music stand that's blocking them from the audience, their focus tends to go towards the music stand.

I would say it's like giving a speech. It doesn't have to be fully memorize but one should have enough of it memorized to be able to focus on the musicality and meaning behind the notes.

I'm not so into sports. Do you have any fun facts about actual eagles?

I heard the drop turtles from super high up to break their shells.

Thanks for the great question! If I were to be stuck playing the same 3 pieces for the rest of my life, they would be:

• Bach's Chaconne for Solo Violin. This one seems an obvious choice because the piece has an incredibly large vessel to fit vast amounts of rich expression and experience. Definitely top pick.
• Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. This one never gets old for me. It still has the same freshness as the day I met it when I was 9 years old :)
• Sibelius Violin Concerto. The 3rd one was hard to pick, but I ended up with the Sibelius because of the contrast it provides against the others in the type of expression, yet is still my style of piece (ice & fire).

Just a small thing. maybe we should not measure ourselves or others in the perspective of usefulness. I believe it’s a trap that many of us fall into time after time. We are allowed to be happy and enjoy our life🌟

A few favorite concert halls where the acoustic is amazing: Suntory Hall (Tokyo), Koerner Hall (Toronto), Weiwuying (Kaohsiung), Walt Disney (LA), Davies (SF), Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg), Musikverein (Vienna), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam),

When I'm performing, I usually think of characters/personas. Sometimes it can become a story but usually it's simply a conversation or scene that happens. For example, at the bridge passage of Mendelssohn's 3rd movement, I imagine a conversation between a young student and an old teacher. The young student keeps asking why while the old teacher just keeps shaking their head. Eventually the student becomes determined to make their own decisions and that's when the 3rd movement starts into this adventure with lots of valleys, mountains, and beautiful scenery just rushing past.

If your mind is blank (which it can very easily become when practicing by yourself), then what comes out will also be blank and robotic. This is why it's important to always have a focused and conscious state when you're practicing.

Hey Ray, Heartfelt gratitude and love for your contribution to international music, my question is also a bit strange, I am an Indian, what do you think about India's music, how do you feel?, any favorite artists if you know?

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