Vivian Minden
Q: When did you start playing?
A: When I was 12.
Q: What made you choose your instrument?
A: I had played piano for six years and I was ready to take up another instrument. I loved the sound of the flute and a good friend of mine played it.
Q: What is your most memorable HPO experience?
A: Playing the concert with Anton Kuerti with his son conducting was one. Another one was playing a concert with Peter Ustinov narrating and going up after a rehearsal to tell him how much I admired him. I’ll never forget how he turned it around and told me how much in awe he was of what I do.
Q: What kind of things do you like to do when you’re not playing?
A: I play competitive Scrabble. I direct the Hamilton Scrabble Club. I also love to folk dance when I can.
Q: Who is your favourite composer to play or listen to?
A: So many – it would be difficult to choose.
Q: Favourite book? Movie?
A: Also difficult to choose. I really like non-fiction. Two that come to mind are ‘The White Masai’ and ‘The Inextinguishable Symphony’.
Q: Do you have a secret indulgence?
A: Chocolate – but I’m addicted so I can’t eat it.
Q: Who was your hero when you were 10? Who is your hero now?
A: My dad because he played in an orchestra. He’s still my hero.
