Fiddling with the Stars

Calhoun with Ringo Starr

Ann Marie Calhoun (Col ’01) believed she had the perfect career.

Teaching science at Woodberry Forest School near Orange, Va., directing its string program and giving private music lessons made life full and fulfilling.

"I felt like I’d found my calling. It was just such a good fit," says Calhoun, who lives in Gordonsville with her husband, Brian.

Teaching was not the path that many expected her to take. A violinist since age 3, she seemed headed for classical training in a conservatory and life in a symphony. Instead, she chose to focus on science and received degrees in music and biology at U.Va.

Two years ago, however, the father of one of her students heard that Ian Anderson, the flute-playing front man for Jethro Tull, was looking for a violinist. One thing led to another, and before long Calhoun was sharing the stage with a rock icon. 

One icon also led to another. Steve Vai—guitar wizard extraordinaire—wanted her not only for her blazing violin but also for some keyboards, requiring late-night cram sessions. Ringo Starr—yes, the Beatle—wanted her for a television performance that necessitated another crash course, this time on guitar.

And last month, she won a nationwide contest to perform "The Pretender" on violin with the Foo Fighters at the Grammy ceremony. Her video received the most votes from among thousands of instrumentalists who posted clips on YouTube for the contest. 

Her meteoric rise has left her head spinning, but her heart is humble.

"I’ve been so blessed. I never knew that I would have this opportunity, and it’s just overwhelming to work with such great musicians," she says. "I still feel like I’m that violin student who’s getting ready for that orchestra audition."

Calhoun credits her musical experiences while at U.Va. for much of her success. She jammed with jazz trumpeter John D’earth. She fiddled with bluegrass in Walker’s Run. She later explored more exotic musical terrain in the Arab-Appalachian ensemble Kantara and recorded with the Dave Matthews Band.

It wasn’t until she appeared on big stages with big stars, though, that her playing developed serious sizzle. Vai, in particular, inspired her energetic Grammy clip.

"I’d just finished touring with him, and it changed the way I play," Calhoun says. "It made me a more aggressive player, and it made me connect to music in a more physical way than I had before."
Vai is a "great guy," she says, as is Anderson, as is Starr.

"Ringo was fantastic," Calhoun says. "He chants peace and love as his motto, and he really does exude peace and love."

Now, with more tours on the horizon, Calhoun finds fulfillment—in her career as well as in life—through music.

"I think I did exactly the right path for me. If I had gone to a conservatory, I definitely would be more technically proficient but I wouldn’t be doing the kind of music that I’m doing now," she says. "I’m really grateful that I took kind of a detoured route."

Read the original article at the U.Va. Magazine website.