Mara Oosterbaan, violin

Born in Holland, Mara began playing the violin aged 6, having lessons from Hans Stoelinga, Rita Rouw en Sylvia van der Grinten. She is currently a student of Illona Sie Dhian Ho, at the Prins Claus Conservatorium, Groningen. Mara has been a member of the Haydn Jeugd Strijkorkest for many years, and was concertmaster for the last year. She has also performed the Bach concerto in A as soloist with this orchestra.

Mara has been performing chamber music from a very young age. She has taken part in various summer courses such as Woudschoten and the Orlando Festival and has participated in masterclasses with Ivry Gitlis. Mara has twice won a place in the finals of the Haydn Music Festival and has also competed in the Prinses Christina Concours where she has been highly commended and twice received an encouragement award.

10 questions

Who are your favourite 3 composers?

Brahms, Shostakovich, Beethoven 

Are you a cat or a dog person?

Cat 

Who is your favourite film character (and name of the film)?

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What 3 foods can you not live without?

Fruit, muesli bread with cheese on it, chocolate 

When you were 6, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Circus artist, astronomer, or doctor 

If you could wake up on holidays tomorrow anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Paris 

What are you non musicals hobbies/interests?

Studying art history, reading, drawing/painting, enjoying good weather, beautiful nature and a clear night sky 

Who is your favourite author?

AA Milne and Russian classics 

What are you annoyed by?

People who are arrogant and not themselves 

Who are you inspired by?

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