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What happens when a classically-trained violinist breaks her neck and loses her musical identity for over a decade? Alexis Frenette's remarkable journey takes us from a defining childhood moment in Connecticut to finding her place as a fiddle player in Mississippi.
Alexis shares the pivotal experience of discovering her passion at just five years old during a school assembly featuring young Suzuki method violinists. "I remember the exact moment that I decided I was going to play the violin for the rest of my life," she recalls with clarity. This decisive childhood moment set her on a path of serious musical training, eventually positioning her for a promising career.
Growing up with a Mississippi-born mother while living in the Northeast created a fascinating cultural hybrid. We explore how Alexis navigated between seemingly contradictory worlds: mastering the formal precision of classical violin while embracing the improvisational freedom of Southern fiddle playing. Her illuminating explanation of the differences between violin and fiddle playing offers listeners genuine insight into these distinct musical traditions.
The heart of Alexis's story emerges when she describes the devastating car accident that broke her neck at age 20, robbing her of the ability to play properly for twelve years. "It's like losing your identity," she confesses. Yet what follows is an extraordinary account of healing, perseverance, and rediscovery that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound connection between musicians and their instruments.
Today, Alexis runs a music school with her brother in Laurel, Mississippi, passing on their musical knowledge to the next generation. The episode concludes with her moving performance of "Ashokan Farewell," the hauntingly beautiful piece made famous by Ken Burns' Civil War documentary.
Whether you're a musician, a teacher, or simply someone who appreciates stories of triumph over adversity, this conversation will resonate with its themes of identity, healing, and the transformative power of artistic expression. Subscribe now and share your thoughts on this powerful musical journey.
WE WANT YOUR STORIES! Have a country or small town-themed true story for us? Please send it to our producer at hillary@hillkane.com. Put SFCS-Holiday in the subject line. By submitting your story, you are permitting us to read it on air. Please let us know if you prefer us to use your name or a pseudonym/alias. If we get enough stories, we can have a " Stories from Our Listeners episode!!
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