Art DeQuasie began his musical endeavors at age 10 with the electric bass. Piano lessons at age 16 were meant to merely advance his bass playing but, instead, also revealed the excitement of classical music. Years later, Art would receive a degree in piano performance from the Crane School of Music. Thirteen years ago the double bass captured his heart and this has led to many adventures since. Art is the Director of Operations at the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association and has been with the organization since 1999. He resides in Burlington, Vermont.

About his time at Apple Hill, Art writes:

It is an honor to have been an inaugural recipient of an ACMP scholarship! This scholarship supported my participation at the Apple Hill Chamber Music Workshop this summer. Apple Hill offers five 10-day sessions each summer on its beautiful property in New Hampshire. Participants are placed into two chamber groups for their session, both receiving a 1.5-hour professional coaching session daily. Practice time, fun non-musical organized activities, time to socialize, and three outstanding meals are a part of each day at this all-ages, all-levels camp.

At my session this summer, I was in a 9-member ensemble playing J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major and in a trio playing Cuban jazz-influenced pieces by Paquito D’Rivera. There was great contrast in the styles of music, for sure, but also in the coaching styles and the approach of the other musicians.  

I was in my comfort zone with the Bach ensemble. The approach of the coach and many of the other musicians was very considered and methodical. The benefit of detailed work to the big picture of the music was always clear.  A lot of preparation had been done by the musicians beforehand and the cellist and I elected to spend a practice session together after rehearsal one day to arrive at final bowings and to help each other with accuracy in the passages with more challenging harmonies.

The rehearsals of the D’Rivera trio took a more exploratory approach to the music. My much younger colleagues in the trio brought a carefree and joyful “we are here to have fun!” style to learning music together. My careful, more linear thinking needed to adjust!

It is so inspiring to have been a part of these groups, and they have given me much to think about! By our performances toward the end of the session, I felt like I could not imagine better people to play this music with.

It seems perfectly right to have focused rehearsals and practice time set side-by-side with fun non-musical activities, conversations with new friends, and healthy living.  It is interesting to have the chance to observe that there are indeed parallels between one’s approach to rehearsing music and their approach to playing Ping-Pong.  (You have to be there)

I hope to bring my musical and personal improvement from my session at Apple Hill to my endeavors throughout the year. I thank ACMP for helping me have this experience!