Kathryn Gray

Violin

At this moment …

We would find Kathryn walking her dog Watson, a Welsh corgi. "He doesn't like other dogs, so walking him is a challenge. He loves people, though."

On the CD player …

Kathryn enjoys listening to opera and German lieder. "I learn a lot musically from listening to singers," she explains. "As string players we're so close in sound to the human voice. The violin is a singing instrument, so what better way to learn than by listening to singers? A wise person told me that the two greatest artistic endeavors were to sing and to dance. I leave the dancing to my daughter, Alice and I try to sing with my violin."

In the kitchen …

Kathryn's passion is French cooking. "My kitchen is the same colors as Monet's house at Giverny: yellow and periwinkle blue." Her specialties include cassoulet, a traditional bean and meat dish, duck confit, cheese and sugar cookies that she brings to the orchestra.

On the music stand …

Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, student repertoire, etude and scale books. Kathryn is devoted to her students, who bring her great satisfaction. "I have a wonderful opportunity to affect many lives," she explains. "It's like shooting arrows into the future."

And on the nightstand …

Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund; The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene, a book about string theory, and Mozart in the Jungle by Blair Tindall.

Before you left …

Kathryn would show you a pastel of a photograph of her daughter, Alice, who danced with OBT, done by Pat Miller, a violist in the orchestra. "Pat is not only a wonderful musician but really an incredible artist. I think there are many musicians in the orchestra who have great talents off the stage."