Meet Lynn Bechtold | Violinist, Composer, and Teaching Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lynn Bechtold and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lynn, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have been artistically inclined since I was a child, and after studying various performing and visual arts when I was young, I sort of knew that the violin was going to always be part of my life. That being said, it’s a big leap to decide to pursue music as a profession. I think the old adage is sort of true, “you don’t choose music–music chooses you.” Like any profession that has ups and downs, music does as well, but there is nothing like seeing a listener smile or laugh or become focused in thought because of the music I perform or compose. Music gives audience members the chance to forget problems they want to forget, or bring back memories they want to remember. And, even if it’s only for minutes or a couple hours, I hope that what I do brings memorable moments to others’ lives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a violinist, composer, and teaching artist, based in New York City. Living in one of the cultural capitals of the world, I am always excited about the music I get to perform here, be it classical contemporary, baroque, pop, electronic, world, or other. It is always fun when opportunities arise for collaboration, as well, with choreographers, visual artists, or even chefs! I perform in multiple groups, but also have my own group, violin duo Miolina. Miolina keeps me busy performing; and, as a group, we also write grants, curate concerts and series, and make it a point to expand the violin duo repertoire by working with living composers. So far, we’ve premiered over 70 new works for violin duo! When composing myself, I mostly write acoustic and electroacoustic works for solo instruments or chamber ensembles, often incorporating manipulated field recordings of my own as the basis for the electronics. A long time teaching artist, I work with students of all ages, from elementary school through adults. I was very lucky (or perhaps it was a combo of hard work and luck!) to have some great teachers and mentors over the years, and I think that passing on the understanding and appreciation of music is important, both for inspiring the next generation of musicians, but also for cultivating the audiences of the future. It’s often complicated working out the schedule and where I’ll be at specific times each day, but I like the variety of what I do, the collaborations with other artists, and the energy of being involved in all the creativity that exists here. Not to mention, of course, those moments when connections are made with audiences. Since the pandemic began in 2020, the world seems to be wound tighter and tighter, and to be able to give listeners some moments of joy, contemplation, or reminiscence, is continually important.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Haha…I’m the opposite of a Yelper or TikTokker. I prefer to keep my favorite haunts and restaurants to myself. That being said, on the rare day I have off, or have a friend in town, activities will usually include going to a park, going to a museum or gallery, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge (an architectural gem), drinking coffee, looking at one of the rivers on either side of Manhattan, catching some live music, and walking a lot!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents; certain teachers throughout the course of my studies (you know who you are!); my partner; my friends. (Sorry if these seem cliché…)

Instagram: @nycviolynn or @miolinanyc

Image Credits
Dan Cooper, Shawn Ehlers, Cecilia Mandrile, Kim Pritsker