Alumni Check-In | Esther Delamater, née Langer
Esther Delamater, née Langer, began studying music at PCM in 2008 when she was 10 years old. She spent most of her time studying viola with former PCM faculty, Rachel Fabulich and graduated in 2015. Esther comes from a musical family: both her sisters studied viola at PCM, her father, John, plays piano, and her grandmother plays cello! We recently caught up with her to see what she’s been up to since graduating.
Esther playing viola with the NIU Orchestra.
PCM: Where are you right now and what do you do?
ED: I am currently in Madison, Wisconsin, teaching private music lessons and pursuing my Master’s of Music in Viola Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
PCM: What have you been up to since leaving PCM? Are you still practicing music?
ED: After leaving PCM, I went on to study music at Northern Illinois University. After graduating with my Bachelor’s of Music in Viola Performance in the spring of 2019, I took the year off from school before starting my Master’s program this fall. In my time off, I got married and moved to Madison, Wisconsin. I also started teaching private music lessons and worked for an after-school program at one of the public elementary schools in Madison. I kept up with practicing during my year off, and I definitely practice a lot for my Master’s program now.
Esther playing with her father, John Langer for their father daughter duet (in lieu of a father daughter dance).
PCM: These are truly unprecedented times for our country, for our community, and for us as individuals. What has changed for you since the beginning of the pandemic? What are some of the challenges or positive experiences you’ve had during this time?
ED: Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have spent a lot more time at home! I started teaching music lessons online, which has its challenges, but has actually worked out better/been a more positive experience than I was expecting. I look forward to when I can teach in person again, but I am thankful for online options that allow me to be able to continue teaching now.
PCM: Looking back at your time at PCM, what is an experience, event, or moment that made a lasting impression on you?
ED: There were lots of great experiences in my time at PCM that really inspired me and helped me to know that I wanted to continue to do music for college and my professional life. One experience in particular was my time spent in Suzuki viola group class each week. It made a lasting impression on me in seeing how community can be developed through music, and knowing that I wanted to continue to make these kinds of connections and collaborations.
PCM: What are you most looking forward to in the future?
ED: I am most looking forward to continuing to study music in my master’s program at UW-Madison. It is an interesting time to start a new degree program, but I am thankful to have this opportunity. I have been able to play some chamber music, and even have a few orchestra rehearsals in person. Even though many aspects look different, with masks, distancing, and disinfecting, it is exciting and rewarding to get to make music with other people again.
Esther playing Viola at her wedding.
