Published Sep 24, 20256 minute readP.E.I.’s Christina Bouey plays a 1790 Storioni violin on loan from a private donor and will be releasing her debut album later this year. ContributedArticle contentChristina Bouey, an award-winning concert violinist who has won first prize at the Waldo Mayo Violin Competition and performed a solo concert at Carnegie Hall among other international accolades, says she has been obsessed with the violin since Grade 4 at her P.E.I. elementary school.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“From then on, I knew it was always going to be a part of my life,” she said in a email to The Guardian. “Nowadays, I perform extensively all over the world with my string quartet, Ulysses Quartet and as a soloist.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentBouey is the concertmaster of the Grammy-winning orchestra Albany Symphony, the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and has just been appointed assistant professor of violin at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.Article contentThe daughter of Stephen Bouey and Sung Ha Shin-Bouey of Charlottetown has performed all over the world, including highlights with the Greenwich Symphony, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Tonkünstler Ensemble and the Bergen Symphony, as well as at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, National Gallery of Art in D.C., at the Esterházy Palace in Austria, the Taiwan National Recital Hall, Picasso Museum in Malaga, Vietnam Connection Music Festival, with the P.E.I. Symphony Orchestra and at the Under The Spire Music Festival.Article contentAs well as being a professional violinist, Bouey is also a coloratura soprano and composer. In June 2014, as part of the 150-year celebrations in P.E.I., Bouey was commissioned to compose a solo violin piece for professional dancers from Ballet Jazz de Montreal and performed her own work for all eight performances while being intertwined with the choreography.Article contentArticle contentShe plays a 1790 Storioni violin on loan from a private donor and has announced her debut album will be released later this year including the premiere of her own composition “Orpheus Romps Through The Underworld.” More information about the upcoming album is available at www.christinabouey.com.Article contentArticle contentOn Friday, Sept. 26, Bouey is back home when her Ulysses Quartet, featuring soprano Sung Ha Shin-Bouey, will perform at UPEI’s Dr. Steel Recital Hall, 7:30-9:30 p.m.Article content“We will be performing works composed by myself … Felix Mendelssohn, Jessie Montgomery and some fun fiddle tunes. There will be something for everyone,” she says.Article content The Ulysses Quartet, including P.E.I.’s Tina Bouey, front, will be performing at UPEI on Sept. 26. From left: Bouey, Rhiannon Banerdt, Grace Ho and Peter Dudek. ContributedArticle contentWe asked her 20 questions.Article content1 . What is your full name?Article contentChristina Bouey, but all of my family and friends call me Tina. If you know you know! 🙂Article content2 . Where were you born and where do you live today?Article contentI was born in Toronto but spent the biggest portion of my childhood growing up in Charlottetown, P.E.I.! I now live in the big apple, New York City, and have lived there for the past 16 years.Article content3. What is one thing you would like people to know about you?Article contentMusic is truly the most important thing to me and is like another form of air, food or water. There is so much beauty and raw emotions that come from music and it is my life’s journey to share as much happiness with as many people as I can. I come from a musical family and I wouldn’t change it for the world! Both of my parents are singers and teach voice at University of Prince Edward Island. My sister is an incredible singer/songwriter/ actress and my husband is a trumpet player! I know growing up with music is why it is so important to me today. In addition to playing violin, I also compose, sing and play the piano. I’m a complete musical nut and I can’t imagine my life without music at the centre!Article content4 . What would people be surprised to learn about you?Article contentI was preparing to go to the Canada Games for table tennis in high school, however with my parents’ help, I skipped Grade 12 and instead left the Island to pursue a life in music. I started my bachelor’s degree in violin performance at the Boston Conservatory when I was 16.Article contentArticle content5 . What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?Article contentI’ve been through many difficult things, but I have always come out stronger. I try not to consider anything to be hard, because I like to have the mindset that it is just an obstacle I need to overcome. But if I had to choose one thing, maybe an intense exercise class after I have been out of practice!!!Article content6 . Can you describe one experience that changed your life?Article contentPlaying my solo debut in the big hall, Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. It was my lifelong dream and absolutely life changing. I’ll never forget that moment!Article content7 . What is your greatest indulgence?Article contentGoing to the spa and getting a massage.Article content8. What is your favourite book?Article contentIt’s cheesy but I love the whole Harry Potter saga! I love the magic and imagination behind the story.Article content9 . What is your favourite movie?Article contentOoh this is a tough one. I don’t know that I have just one, but the movie that left me with the biggest impression as a kid was Strictly Ballroom. I loved how the leading lady worked extremely hard to become a ballroom dancer and didn’t allow herself defeat, even through the hard times.Article contentArticle content10 . What music do you like to listen to?Article contentBesides Classical, which I do for a living, I love all kinds of music, but if you’re looking at my Spotify list, you’ll find a lot of EDM, house and pop songs and jazz on there. Specifically Jean Luc Ponty for jazz violin!Article content Violinist Christina Bouey is returning to P.E.I. for a performance with the Ulysses Quartet featuring her mother, soprano Sung Ha Shin-Bouey, at the Dr. Steel Recital Hall at UPEI on Sept. 26. ContributedArticle content11 . How do you like to relax?Article contentI love to walk in the park by the Hudson River running up the west side of Manhattan. There is a lighthouse by the George Washington Bridge I walk to and it reminds me of P.E.I.! 12 . What are you reading or watching right now?Article contentI’m reading Iron Flame, the second book in Rebecca Yarros’ series, The Fourth Wing. I’m watching Only Murders in the Building. I can’t get enough of Steve Martin and Martin Short’s incredible humour and witty banter!Article content13 . What is your greatest fear?Article contentLeading a life that isn’t full of joy! Being too busy to create and take the art form forward. Not having enough time to experience new activities with loved ones and friends. I am a huge people person and if I don’t see my friends or family regularly, I lose a bit of my “joie de vivre.”Article content14 . What is your greatest joy?Article contentToo many to name! Spending time with family, travelling and experiencing adventures, making music and sharing it with people in need.Article content15 . What is your most treasured possession?Article contentMy violin! It was made in 1790, Cremona, Italy by the renowned maker Lorenzo Storioni.Article content16 . What’s the best advice you got from a parent or mentor?Article contentTo be confident! Life is easier when you believe in yourself!Article content17 . What would you say is your best quality, and what would you say is your worst quality?Article contentI would say my best quality and worst quality are the same. I work extremely hard but I also don’t know when to stop working!Article content18 . Where is your favourite place in the world?Article contentI don’t know that I have one favourite place, but the two places that are sticking in my mind currently are Ouray, Colorado and Cinque Terre, Italy. Both had incredible scenery and hiking but besides that could not be more different. I think I love anywhere I can enjoy the nature and get my hike on!Article content19 . Who do you follow on social media?Article contentFriends, musicians and funny meme accounts! Also, follow me: @christinaboueyviolinArticle content20 . Which three people would join you for your dream dinner party?Article contentViolinists Jascha Heifetz, David Oistrakh and Anne-Sophie Mutter. All were/are huge personalities and I think it would be very entertaining, plus I would love to hear all of their thoughts and opinions on everything violin and music!Article content
20 QUESTIONS: P.E.I. violinist Christina Bouey’s life journey is to share music and joy
