Player Portrait

Mary Ann Coggins Kaza

Violin

First season with the Oregon Symphony:

1970-1971

Most influential teacher(s):

Various associations made at Tangelwood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony, where I received two summer fellowship/scholarships which allowed me advanced studies and personal contact with such conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Ormandy, S. Osawa, Eric Leinsdorf, private instruction with Louis Krasner, master classes with Joseph Silverstein, and others who helped influence my decision to continue in a professional music environment, plus local musicians Albert Creitz, Raphael Spiro and of course both of my parents for providing for private studies in my formative years and supporting my interests.

Earliest musical memory:

Hearing my parents, sister and brother making music together at home, plus listening to Texaco Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts on Saturday mornings. Best musical memories are most recent, and are of performing American music in Vienna, Prague, Budapest and Czechoslovakia, where American music was so enthusiastically relished.

"I first knew I would make music my career when ... "

I performed in the grade school orchestra. Actually I initially wanted to sing in the opera starting at about age 5, but years later ended up playing in the Portland Opera orchestra. So dreams do come true!

"Other than performing music, I've always thought it might be fun to be a ... "

Test pilot or trapeze artist with the circus.

Favorite composer and/or period?

Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Mahler. I could be stranded on a desert island and would never tire of hearing or playing such great music.

Why did you choose this pose for your photograph?

My husband, Eugene Kaza, is a brilliant musician and conductor who shares a love of cooking with me; it's simply something he does daily. Our mini dachshund Zsa Zsa is a joy in our household—along with three cats and a parrot. As for the pose, thank the photographer.

What do you enjoy most about performing?

Watching the audience allow the music to enter their minds for a few minutes and seeing them escape from their daily problems.

Other than playing great music, what do you see as the Symphony's most important role?

As re-creator and preserver of music already written and as an avenue for future composers to utilize in creating music which retains the human factor and touches the soul.

What is your favorite part of being a member of the Oregon Symphony?

My dual role of player and personnel manager to assure that the human factor is not lost.

Musician Moment Player Portrait