Mary-Katherine Finch, freelance cellist
Education: bachelor of arts and master’s in music performance, University of Toronto
I’m a freelance cellist, so I do a wide variety of gigs, everything from symphonic to string orchestra to chamber music to solo engagements.
When I was 13, I loved the TV show Fame. The cellist character played by Lori Singer was the idealized flakey feminine model that I aspired to. So I picked the cello. I was so late coming to it that I thought there was no way I could pursue it as a profession. In the performing arts, these seeds are usually sown very early most professional musicians begin around age eight. I’ve always felt like I was catching up. I still do.
I attended the music performance program at U of T for both undergrad and my master’s. Developing my skill as a cellist was the main focus of my education, and I learned by playing in ensembles: string quartets, trios and different sized orchestras.
It’s also where I discovered playing baroque music on an authentic period instrument. The strings and bow are different from what we use in regular performance now. That training got me a lot of work later.
The most wonderful experiences at university involved getting a taste of really fine artistry, of mastering my craft and exploring musical connections with others.
In my line of work, I have to have done my homework. I have to be prepared when I show up for rehearsal. I have to be skilled. I have to be in shape. I can’t have just come from two weeks off camping in the wilderness and expect to play to my regular standard. A lot of performance work is done on your own. It’s unpaid, unregulated work that has to come from you, your desire.
In November 2009, the Lush Cello Quartet that I play with went to China. We toured five cities and performed in some absolutely gorgeous concert halls – and some absolutely garbage ones – and, honestly, wherever we went we were treated like rock stars. People lined up for our autographs and photos. That was pretty extraordinary.
