Episode 52: Pearl de la Motte - The Moving Power of Music

Pearl de la Motte is a violist at Juilliard in New York City. (00:00) Arrival Story & Juilliard Backstory (01:40) Mom’s Method: Start at Two (03:05) Family of 11; Music at Home (04:30) Forced Practice → Hiding in Weeds (06:05) Switch to Viola for Family Quartet (07:20) Viola’s Role & Sound (09:00) First Competition Win at 13 (10:35) Juilliard as Goal; Mentors and Push (12:30) Practice Philosophy & Golden Gate Park Sessions (14:45) Falling in Love with the Work (17:10) Applications & Pre-Screening Details (20:05) The 10-Minute Audition & Faith (22:40) Acceptance Day & Covner Fellowship (25:30) Career Map: Chamber, Teaching, Not Orchestra (28:10) Baroque/Historic Performance Spark (31:05) Growth in NYC: Skills & Social Confidence (33:20) Performance Mindset & Social Media Ambivalence (36:10) NYC Impressions & Success = Healing Through Music