Amy Beth Horman

Pre-College
  • Violin
Amy Beth Horman headshot

Contact

AGC 505

Departments

Pre-College

Instruments Taught

Violin

Education

AD, Paris Conservatory

My focus in teaching is to embrace the whole child while helping them reach their artistic potential through a healthy technical foundation and strategic regimen of training and support.”

— Amy Beth Horman

Q&A

What is your hometown?

Silver Spring Maryland

What is your favorite recording? Why?

My favorite recording is one of Gidon Kremer playing the Bach unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas. I heard him play these live once and it has stayed in my heart forever. 

What are you passionate about outside of music?

I love my family, cooking, travel, and keeping a good sense of humor. 

Who were your major teachers?

 Patricia Hurd, Jody Gatwood, Gerard Poulet

What is a favorite quote that you repeatedly tell students?

The violinist is that peculiarly human phenomenon distilled to a rare potency - half tiger, half poet. - Yehudi Menuhin

What question do you wish students would ask sooner rather than later?

How can I practice more effectively?

What was the defining moment when you decided to pursue music as a career?

I went to see a concert with the National Symphony when I was 3. I saw a violin soloist at the concert that night and immediately told my parents this was what I wanted to do with my life. 

What was a turning point in your career?

A huge turning point for me was being accepted in the Paris Conservatory. I was very young, independent, and had a wonderful teacher and conservatory to hone my skills. It was a very exciting time and I loved the city and culture there. 

If you weren't a musician or teacher, what do you think you would be doing now?

I think I might have wanted to delve into art or becoming a chef. 

What is your daily practice routine?

I practice with my daughter and I also practice after teaching. 

If you could play only three composers for the rest of your life, who would they be?

Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms

From a music history perspective, what year and city are most important to you, and why?

1885, Berlin, violinist, Maud Powell's debut with the Berlin Philharmonic with Joachim conducting. Maud Powell was the first American violinist to achieve international rank. 

What is your unrealized project?

I still have many episodes to write of my podcast. I also have a book on teaching young people in the works...

What do you think makes a concert experience unique?

"I think the artist and his/her connection to the audience makes the experience unique."

Please list your most important collaborations.

performing as soloist with the National Symphony, New Mexico Symphony, and performing the Beethoven Concerto conductorless with Ars Nova 

Biography

“Intelligence and emotional generosity... unerring sense of line and gift for highlighting important themes... She brought passionate intensity to a program of disparate works, from Franck’s familiar Sonata in A and a Bach partita that sounded characteristically like the ruminative thoughts of the composer in measured reflection, to a sonata by Corigliano... Her vigorous reading of a soaring solo passage in the Corigliano... had members of the audience quietly craning their necks forward as if in hope of bathing a little deeper in her exceptionally warm tone.” - Washington Post
A passionate teacher and performer, Amy Beth Horman has enjoyed an active solo career as soloist and recitalist throughout the US and Europe. She made her debut with the National Symphony at age 15 performing the Tchaikovsky Concerto. Ms. Horman welcomes students of all ages, including those as young as elementary school age. Students of Ms. Horman have been selected for the Junior Division of the Menuhin Competition, the Boris Goldstein Competition, featured on From the Top and recipients of the Young Arts Foundation. Ms. Horman is also the creator and host of “Beyond the Triangle," a podcast focused on the art of raising young classical musicians. A graduate of the Paris Conservatory of Music (CNSMDP), Ms. Horman received her first prize at age 15 and then was chosen that same year for Conservatory's 3rd Cycle program in the studio of violinist Gerard Poulet. Previous teachers include Jody Gatwood (National Philharmonic Orchestra Concertmaster Emeritus) and Patricia Hurd (Wolf Trap Opera Orchestra, Washington Ballet Orchestra).

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