“At Domaine, I became much more comfortable with performing as I was playing in masterclasses every week, and also in recitals I didn’t find out about until the morning of. Taking these risks has helped me to grow more confident as a performer, and I feel like I have grown immensely as a musician.”
Sophomore music major Abigail (Abbey) Benzinger spent her summer studying at the Domaine Forget de Charlevoix solo strings program in Quebec, Canada. This intensive program allowed her time to focus solely on her skills as a solo and chamber musician, something that’s difficult to obtain during the rigorous academic life at Carolina.
Abbey is a viola student of Dr. Simon Ertz and is also pursuing a minor in Italian. We caught up with her to learn more about her experience at Domaine Forget.
UNC Music: How and why did you apply to Domaine Forget’s summer solo strings program?
Abbey: I applied to Domaine Forget for the opportunity to study with an incredible faculty and be surrounded by talented students from around the world. I was looking for a program where I could focus on solo music to develop my sound, and also work on chamber music. This program provided both. I had never been to a summer festival before, and after discovering Domaine Forget and its beautiful campus I eagerly filled out my application and was accepted to their program for solo strings in March 2023.
UNC Music: What was your favorite part of the summer?
Abbey: My favorite part of Domaine was experiencing the beauty of St. Irenee, Quebec. After days of intense rehearsals and masterclasses, exploring Domaine helped me to unwind. The campus overlooks the St. Lawrence River and has many hiking trails to explore. There are also many practice huts scattered throughout the campus, surrounding you in nature. There were so many wildflowers that it felt like I was living in a fairytale.
UNC Music: How did your experiences inform your musicianship and skills?
Abbey: At Domaine, I spent every day sitting in two to three-hour masterclasses, aside from lessons, chamber rehearsals, and several lectures on other topics about music. In these masterclasses, I learned so much about how to practice efficiently and effectively through the many exercises and ideas each master offered. Being in a studio of 11 incredibly talented violists was so inspiring. I have never been in a viola studio this large, and being able to connect and form friendships with these people made the experience even more worthwhile.
UNC Music: How will you bring them into your playing this coming year?
Abbey: After attending Domaine, I have a clearer understanding of what my goals are for the future and how to achieve them. I am more comfortable with my ability to learn music quickly and efficiently, and this has helped me to feel more confident in stepping out of my comfort zone and taking more risks. At Domaine, I became much more comfortable with performing as I was playing in masterclasses every week, and also in recitals I didn’t find out about until the morning of. Taking these risks has helped me to grow more confident as a performer, and I feel like I have grown immensely as a musician.
UNC Music: What do you hope to do after Carolina? Did these summer programs help inform this goal?
Abbey: I hope to pursue a master’s in music and later on audition for professional orchestras and other ensembles. I also hope to continue teaching viola and potentially pursue a Ph.D. Domaine Forget helped me to gain a better understanding of the music world and what I need to do to pursue music professionally. Being able to connect with students and professors from around the world allowed me to learn about other diverse experiences. After attending Domaine, I feel more confident in my ability to progress and pursue a career in music.
Interview by Jacob Bandy, class of 2025; All photos courtesy of Abbey Benzinger