Adult Onset Violinist: Judy Pond, Musician and Secretary of the Board of Directors at UVMC

Judy Pond always had music in her life — from piano lessons as a child to learning the ukulele from an instruction booklet to singing 252 songs at summer camp to singing in the Handel Society for 35 years.

But it wasn’t until age 71 that the Norwich, Vermont resident became an “adult onset violinist.”

“Years ago, as a new Vermonter, I went to the Tunbridge World’s Fair and heard great music from a contradance group,” Pond said. “Later my aunts came to visit. One auntie played violin when I was growing up. She asked, ‘Judy, would you like my old fiddle?’ Because I had heard the contradance group, I said sure.”

The violin sat upstairs for years. After Pond retired at age 69, she was ushering at Lebanon Opera House when she heard a progressive Quebecois folk group, Le Vent Du Nord, play. She thought, “What have we here? Jazz chops. Unusual chord progressions. On the CD I bought, the fast fiddler had a counter melody of five notes — and I could play it.”

She signed up for fiddle class at UVMC right away. By her second year, Executive Director Ben Van Vliet became the new fiddle teacher. 

“I was so impressed by his teaching skill that I signed up to take Suzuki lessons from him in 2013,” Pond said. “Each week I took my individual lesson and attended my Suzuki group class along with little kids as young as 3. I loved it, and marveled that our highly skilled teacher, Jenn Turbes, was able to make the tightly structured program, with everyone doing exactly the same thing at exactly the same time week after week, delightfully fun.”

She continues to take lessons from Ben. “He works hard with the limitations I have,” Pond said. “I damaged the nerves in my hands so he had me use a half bow with an attachment making it possible for me to play. Though my hands have improved, I still can’t play fast, so he works with me on tone and expressiveness. That means the world to me.”

Pond has participated in English Country Dance classes, Slow Jams, Chamber Music parties on Fridays, folk ensemble classes and she’s rejoined the Upper Valley Symphony Orchestra. 

“More and more, UVMC is teaching folks to play in duets, trios, and small groups,” Pond said. “It is satisfying to learn this way. Working with another person — or two or three — is better for everyone. More fun and more effective.”

Pond gives back by being an enthusiastic supporter and volunteering her time as secretary of the Board of Directors of Upper Valley Music Center.

“Much of my life revolves around UVMC. My friends are here. It is my second home,” Pond said. “I love that the smile, the encouragement, and the generosity of spirit are always there.”

Learn more about Pond by reading her Volunteer Spotlight.