Sophie Serafino

  

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Always a violinist! Moments of wanting to be a trapeze artist… a vet or a dancer… but 90% of my life, I wanted to be a musician!

What did you become?

A musician!

What's your official title?

Violinist, singer, composer

What's your background - how did you end up here?

My mother is a pianist, so there was always music in the house.. in fact she was performing while she was pregnant with me! So I naturally started very early at the age of 3. It was a rocky road though- I was very rebellious and always wanted to do something different. When I was 16, I began writing my own music, songs, and singing. I was also training hours a day as a dancer, so my show evolved and started to involve all these aspects to the dismay of my parents and teachers! I love performing, and my combination of travelling the world and hearing new sounds, and wide training allows me to be very theatrical with a unique sound.

How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?

I would describe my full show as a theatrical story, an exotic blend of pop music- fearless and passionate!

What's the first thing career related you usually do each day?

I talk with my producer the moment I wake up (he is in Los Angeles so when I’m in Sydney, my 8am is his afternoon!).. then I have breakfast and start to play..

Can you describe an "average" working day for you?

Practice, rehearsal, sound check, and show! Sometimes meetings with management…. And when I’m lucky and in a different country, some sightseeing too

Who or what in the arts world most inspires you?

Maxim Vengerov, Goldfrapp, fearless performers. Ravel, Stravinsky… new and different things, or the old done really well. Things that make me feel something.

What's the toughest challenge you've dealt with on the job?

Being mobbed on stage in Casablanca- first time it happened ever, hopefully the last! It took security five minutes to get me out, and then I was taken to a small room at the top of the building until everything calmed down. I love Morocco, but that was scary! In my little room, I thought to myself… wow, and people think this is glamorous! Haha! But performing makes up for anything like that!

What's the best piece of advice you were ever given for your career?

Believe in yourself and never give up.

What are the top three skills you need in your particular role?

Violin, composition and singing.

What's the best thing about your job?

Travel, and creative freedom!

And the worst?

Long haul flights and missing my boyfriend!

And if you had to sum your working life in a word or phrase, what would it be?

Freedom!