Suzannah Chalick, Viola
Mike and Anne Armstrong Chair
Suzannah Chalick received her B.M. degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Martha Katz. She earned her M.M. degree from the Juilliard School as a student of Karen Tuttle.
Previously she performed as principal viola of the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas and substituted with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Yoel Levi.
Suzannah has performed in numerous orchestra and chamber music festivals including the Taos School of Music, the Tanglewood Music Center, the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Colorado Music Festival. In addition to playing the viola, Suzannah is an accomplished pianist and enjoys accompanying students and colleagues. She and her husband are the parents of three children. She has been a member of the Naples Philharmonic since 1996.
”
The facts:
I am from Lincoln, Massachusetts. I received my music performance degrees from The Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School. Before joining the viola section of the Naples Philharmonic in 1996, I played in the New World Symphony for two seasons.
What has been your most memorable moment with the orchestra?
Memorable moments for me are experiencing amazing performances and realizing how lucky I am to be living my dream of playing music for a career.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I wanted to become a musician after hearing some wonderful chamber music performances as a child.
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
Playing chamber music is my favorite part of my job. I love learning, growing and collaborating with my colleagues.
What’s challenging about playing your instrument?
Probably the most challenging part of playing viola is the physical stamina needed for me to play at my best.
What are your favorite compositions?
I have always had a soft spot for works by Bach and Brahms, but I am always discovering new favorites, depending on what I’m playing or listening to.
What have you been listening to recently?
Most recently, I’ve been listening to Pablo Casals playing the Bach solo Cello Suites.
Are there other musicians in your immediate family?
Yes, I am lucky to come from a very musical family. My sisters are professional cellists in New York, my brother is a professional violist in Boston and my mother is a flute teacher. My husband is a former clarinetist, and my two teenage sons play trumpet and percussion.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I like to laugh, take walks, hike mountains, eat chocolate, read and spend time with my husband and three children.