Episode #15 - Faith Shiffer; clarinetist & woodwind specialist

From a childhood that included moving seven times throughout the midwest, to eventually making her home in Lancaster County, the incredibly talented and thoughtful Elizabethtown College instructor Faith Shiffer shares her story of how she fell in love with the clarinet in 4th grade and never looked back.

The clarinet, which has remained a constant throughout her life, has taken her from the beginnings of playing on a metal instrument handed down from her Uncle to playing national tours for Sunday in the Park with George, Chicago and South Pacific.

Throughout our wide-ranging conversation, we talked not only about her touring experience, falling in love with her future husband (trombonist Steve Shiffer) in a "pit" of all places (!) but also how she manages the stress of sometimes having 70-hour work weeks and gives great tips on how other musicians can do the same. Ultimately, though, Faith has found that the actual sharing of music has become the most fulfilling aspect of being a performer. Throughout this beautiful conversation we agreed that it is not only sharing music with others, but it is also the support we give each other as musicians that is so vital to our well-being.

Thank you to Faith for her insight and sharing her life...between the notes.