Ask the Teacher - Hillel Zori

Who do you teach?

As well as conservatoire students, I have several private students in their teens, many of whom will become my university students. In Israel, those who wish to be professional musicians must do pre-army auditions, to give them the military status of ‘outstanding musician’. This allows them to serve as a musician in the army while doing limited studies at the university. We have to plan years ahead for this exam. It is a very sensitive time for them and I feel a lot of responsibility for their future.

The biggest challenge is to switch students’ minds into professional mode. This means helping them to get to know the instrument better, making them more aware of each piece’s structure and spirit. I tell them to play the way they would like any major artist to perform for them. Bowing is a common problem.