Sophomore Taylor Hope is more than just the average musician from Sayreville, NJ. She is double-majoring in math and music here at Monmouth University. At only 19, she has already opened up for big stars such as Jason Aldean and Tim McGraw, played a solo at Carnegie Hall, and had Bruce Springsteen himself come and watch her entire solo set.
Hope started playing the violin when she was only 5 years old, but had the interest a couple years before. Hope said, “I wanted to [start playing] at 3. I saw a violinist playing in the park when I was little, and I loved the sound of it.”
Like any normal parents, they did not believe that their 3 year old would actually continue with such a delicate instrument. Hope explained, “[My Parents] bought me a fake violin, but I was like ‘No! I want a real one!’”
It was actually a teacher at her school that confirmed her desire to play, although that was not his intention. Hope said, “There was this teacher who taught third graders and up, and he said ‘Bring her in, she’ll be too intimidated and won’t want to play’…and after the first time he said, ‘Get her a violin.’” So persistence paid off for toddler Taylor, and her parents finally gave in and bought a real violin.
Her musical talents do not just stop at the violin. Over the years, Taylor has learned how to play the piano, guitar, and the mandolin. She also enjoys singing while playing on her multiple instruments.
The violin was not just a hobby for the young child. Hope played in many orchestras when she was little and was completely dedicated. Her mom always received questions from other parents, who were basically forcing their kids to play an instrument. “The biggest question was ‘How do you make your daughter practice?’ and [my mom] was like ‘What do you mean, I have to ask her to put it away!’”
Her parents would support her performing, as long as she stayed interested. “Their biggest thing is to follow your heart, and if you don’t like it then that’s when we stop.”
Taylor was constantly involved in her passion, starting to play in multiple orchestras at 6 years old, and all the way through high school. She continues now to play with the Monmouth University Chamber Orchestra. Hope said, “I did a lot of solo stuff as a young kid. I did my first solo show at 7 years old…”
Playing all those solo shows and bands must have been great practice, leading up to her Carnegie Hall audition at age 13. “I auditioned with hundreds of other musicians, and I didn’t get a call for a few weeks…and then the phone call came and I was ecstatic…it was really cool,” Hope said. Other venues she has played at include the PNC Bank Arts Center, Susquehanna Bank Center, and down in Nashville for the CMA Fest.
Hope has also played at local venues such as The Stone Pony and The Wonder Bar, which is where Springsteen came and watched her play. “[Springsteen] showed up and watched my entire set, and then afterwards, he spoke to me for a good 15-20 minutes,” Hope said.
Springsteen is actually connected to her biggest inspiration, Soozie Tyrell, who is Springsteen’s violinist. “When I was [8 years old] I wrote to [Tyrell], and she wrote me back this hand-written, 3 page letter,” Hope said. Hope still has it hung up on her wall for constant inspiration and as a reminder to, “follow your dreams and follow your heart,” which was the main point of the letter.
When asked if she ever gets nervous, Hope says “I love performing…it’s just so exciting on stage…and the more people on stage the better…but I just love performing, big or small [shows].” Performing with huge country artists makes for some huge crowds, so it is great that she does not experience stage fright.
Taylor Hope is not taking a break from performing either. She has a few shows coming up in the tri-state and Philly areas, along with the South Jersey area. If you are interested in seeing Hope perform, then you can go to her website www.taylorhopemusic.com and check out tickets and information.
PHOTO TAKEN from facebook.com/TaylorHViolin
