10 Questions with Laura Metcalf

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1. Where did you grow up?
   I grew up in West Hartford, CT

2. What made you realize that music was your path?
   Two experiences helped me realize that music was everything: hearing Yo-Yo Ma perform the Elgar cello concert at Tanglewood, and attending Interlochen Arts Camp. Both occurred when I was in high school, and I remember feeling like there was nothing else I loved more than being immersed in and inspired by music.

3. How would you describe the music that you typically perform/create?
   Sybarite5 performs music that is engaging, energetic, and surprising. We curate each concert to be a musical journey, traversing a wide range of styles and influences to create an experience that redefines classical chamber music.

4. Who are your biggest musical influences?
   My earliest inspirations were Jacqueline Du Pre and my father Steve, who could play literally anything on the piano by ear. I am also continually inspired by Steven Isserlis and the band Radiohead.

5. What makes your musical life unique?
   In Sybarite5, we only play music we love. Since we’re not bound by a canon of standard repertoire, the possibilities are endless. We adapt our favorite music (regardless of genres) for our instruments, we develop relationships with composers who write pieces with our playing style in mind, and we seek out collaborations with like-minded performers

6. Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you're most proud of
   It’s not one moment, exactly, but it’s my musical career itself that I’m proud of. Back in grad school over a decade ago, my wise teacher Timothy Eddy advised me to identify the career path I wanted to follow, and follow it in a focused and purposeful way. I decided at that moment that what I wanted to play chamber music, and I’m extremely proud that playing chamber music is now, indeed, how I make my living.

7. A little birdie told us that you used to wake up every morning in college when you were at Boston University, (which we’ve been told is in Boston) to Everything in its Right Place by Radiohead, is that true?
   Almost! It was in high school that I listened to Radiohead every day. In college I didn’t have time to listen to much of anything because I was practicing every free moment. Luckily, in my old age, I’ve realized that listening to Radiohead and other favorite music is essential to my sanity so I do it often.

8. Is there anything you haven’t done with Sybarite5 that you want to do?
   Speaking of Radiohead: I’d love for us to open for them.

9. What is your favorite thing about your new album Live From New York It’s Sybarite5? / Do you have a favorite track or moment on the new album?
   The most special track to me personally is a *secret* track, an arrangement of “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” done by my father, Steve Metcalf.

10. What’s the next thing for you?
    This Winter/Spring, in addition to travels with Sybarite5, I’m excited to appear at chamber music festivals in Walla Walla, Washington; Santa Cruz, California, and the Cayman Islands, as well as present my weekly concert series GatherNYC every Sunday morning in Manhattan!