When it comes to introducing classical music to children of all ages, April Kondrat’s not afraid – she’s going on a bear hunt, and she’s definitely caught a big one. Her wildly popular Bear Hunt programs for young children are the talk of the storytime circuit, making new fans of the viola and classical music all over the community.
Kondrat is co-principal violist, director of education and music librarian for the Plano Symphony Orchestra. She also plays with the Dallas Opera Orchestra as a section violist, substitutes with the Dallas and Fort Worth Symphonies and performs with ProMusica. Her busy musical family includes husband Jeremy, the band director at Plano Senior High School, their two young daughters and a son due this spring. We caught Kondrat in between beats, long enough to find out what inspires her to spread harmony.
When did you start playing the viola?
In the Carrollton public schools at age 10 in fifth grade. I joined the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra in addition to my school orchestra and fell in love with the symphony orchestra experience.
Tell us about your children’s programs — we hear fantastic things about your Bear Hunts!
The children’s programs for the Plano Symphony include several activities. The Symphony Sampler is a series of concerts that currently serve the fourth graders of Plano, Frisco and Wylie. The Family Series is a series of concerts on Sundays at 3pm that offer families with young children an opportunity to attend symphony performances. The Instrument Petting Zoo provides children with a hands-on experience where they get to play on a variety of instruments featured in a symphony orchestra.
Finally, the Bear Hunt is a program that I created specifically for children under 6 years of age. It’s a 20-minute show usually performed at a bookstore or a preschool that features a short musical performance and two stories on the viola. The stories, including “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” and “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” are interactive and have the kids up and moving to the music.
What’s your take on classical music education in Plano and Collin County?
Plano and Collin County in general offer extensive music education programs in middle through high school with equal representation in band, choir and orchestra. The foundation starts in well-founded elementary school music programs and continues with high performance levels all the way through the senior highs. I think what Plano does well is offer a vertical curriculum that provides a strong foundation in musical fundamentals. I think the biggest challenge is scheduling since there also is such a high level of importance placed on academics.
What are your tips for parents who want to instill a love of music in their children?
Expose them to all types of music at any age. The best thing for very young children is to develop a sense of rhythm and pitch. Playing musical games and listening to all types of music helps to hone these skills.
How does your work with children inform your art as a performing musician?
Working with children really helps a performer to “keep it real.” I always go back to focusing on basics to make sure my performances are very clean and feature all of the basic techniques a string instrument is able to do. When I go back to fundamentals, it always improves my playing in all the aspects of my career.
Tell us about the most personally rewarding side of your work. What sets your strings vibrating?
I love playing for young audiences. They have the most interesting questions and they hang on to every word I say and every note I play. It’s very rewarding knowing that I’m the first live musician most of them have seen in person and that I can help them appreciate classical music. It’s thrilling knowing that there are kids running all over Plano who actually know what a viola is!
When things get hectic, how do you let off steam and relax?
Before I got pregnant, I played indoor soccer, which is a great way to let off steam. Now, I’m knitting a blanket for the baby and I try to just sit down and snuggle with my girls whenever possible.
