1L student Nadia Klein, whose roots in the arts began here in Toronto, comes from a prestigious background in perfecting the cello. Since playing the cello from the young age of 6, Nadia completed her Bachelor of Music Performance at the University of Toronto before continuing on to receive her Masters of Music Performance and Professional Studies Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Then, she completed two years of her Doctorate of Musical Arts at Arizona State University (serving also as the Faculty Assistant for the cello studies).
Nadia has been largely involved in chamber music for her musical career, a role she find the most comfortable, as she has played for quartets since the age of 10. Among her achievements was her membership in the national award winning Gemini String Quartet, with whom she performed with the St. Lawrence String Quartet.
As well, Nadia is a freelance musician, performing for a variety of different gigs and orchestras including the Windsor and Niagara Symphonies. She also has her own contracting company called Stylish Strings, contracting string musicians for weddings, corporate events, parties, and other occasions. Nadia is part of a duo group named CelloPhone – with saxophonist Chelsea Shanoff – working on new projects, including some that they will be doing over the summer with a grant from the Ontario Arts Council.
Though coming from such a rich and substantial background in professional music performance, Nadia initially considered applying to law school in 2007, following her return to Ontario from San Francisco. But that plan was put on hold, when at the same time, she was offered an opportunity at The Banff Centre as a Music Program Coordinator. This experience helped to lead into other exciting positions, most recently with the Toronto Summer Music.
As for her reasons for the change in track, she comments on a moment of self-reflection: “I recently came out of a bad marriage, the circumstances of which led to me re-evaluating what I want and need in life. Though I absolutely love being a musician, financial stability has become a driving force. Unfortunately, that is something I will likely never have as a freelance musician.”
“The main benefit my music background has afforded me in law school is that I do not get as stressed out as many other students,” Nadia says. “Law school, though a longer slog, is not nearly as stressful as orchestra auditions – where you have only a few minutes to prove you are perfect.” She adds too that her being older than the average law student helps her to keep perspective about the realities of law school and working full time.
Nadia just celebrated her 28th anniversary as a cellist. “I think that kind of dedication and work easily transfers to being a law student,” she says. “I am well aware that not everything comes easily – my mom is a fan of reminding me of how I used to cry because I found the piece ‘I’m a Little Monkey’ difficult. It was the first piece I ever learned to play, and obviously it is no longer a problem for me!”
As to her present thoughts about her choice to start law school at Osgoode? She answers that she so far feels good about her new direction. “I am loving Osgoode and am excited about the next two years.”
As a law student, it is challenging for most to do more than tread water with our course work. As lawyers, many often let go of prior involvements and vocations, but Nadia is optimistic. “I will continue performing with CelloPhone, as well as picking up any other gigs,” she says. “The excellent thing about being a freelance musician is that I am my own boss. Chelsea, my saxophone partner, is amazing and seems to not mind having to work around my work or school schedule.”
Nadia has a message to all her friends and colleagues of the Osgoode community. “I struggled with the decision to go to law school as I felt I was giving up on being a cellist, or, that people would see me as a failure,” she says. But, she rallies against these misconceptions: “This is so very wrong! It is completely possible to attend law school, become a lawyer, and still be an active performing musician. I am so grateful to my musician friends who have gone through law school, who I can turn to for support when I feel I am disappointing my musical side.”
“And I am perhaps even more grateful to my music friends, the ones who are full time musicians, for being so supportive and even excited for me,” Nadia goes on. “Though the change can be scary, if you are a musician and law school is something you are considering, I think it is a great choice. Finally, being a musician will only help you in the field! Everyone I have met loves the fact I am a musician.”