‘As a violist, you’re in the thick of it’ - Hank Dutt’s life lessons

Discover more Featured Stories like this in The Strad Playing Hub

Read more premium content for subscribers here

It was my final quartet recital, rather than a solo performance, that felt like a culmination of my time at Indiana University. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved chamber music. Even in primary school, it was the chamber music ensemble that I looked forward to most. Summer camps were also a huge influence on my musical development. I enjoyed being totally immersed in music and would try and go to three or four a year. In fact, that was how I ended up playing viola. One year, no more violin positions were available, but they said, ‘If you play viola, we can give you a scholarship.’ My high school, through which I was learning violin, had also just received a new viola. So I switched, and haven’t looked back since!..