Janice Macisak
Instrument: Violin
With the RPO since: 1965
My earliest musical memories are my mother playing the piano at home and teaching me to play when I was four years old.
I knew I would make music my career when I was five years old. The love of music was so strong I knew it had to be my career.
Most influential teachers: My mother, Carroll Glann, Eudice Shapiro, Joseph Knitzer, Galamian and Andre Gertler.
Favorite composer and/or musical period: My favorite is the Romantic period. My favorite composer is the one whose music I'm playing at the time.
What do you most enjoy about performing? Pleasing the listeners. Performing keeps me learning and improving.
What is your favorite part of being a member of the RPO? The friendships and high degree of professionalism in this orchestra are great. Plus it's an honor to be a part of playing wonderful music.
When I'm not onstage, you might find me relaxing at home, spending time with friends, gardening or practicing the violin.
I've always thought it would be fun to be a ballet dancer (when I was young!).
My favorite thing about Rochester is being on Lake Ontario and the size of the city. We are, at most, half an hour from any place in the city and the surrounding area with beautiful lakes and scenery.
What do you think is the Orchestra's most important role in our community? The education of children by bringing the classics into their lives.
Biography
Janice Macisak joined the RPO in 1962 while still an undergraduate at the Eastman School of Music, where she earned her bachelor’s degree with distinction and the Performer’s Certificate. She toured Europe, Russia and the Middle East with the Eastman Philharmonia. She has also performed with the Toronto Symphony under conductor Karel Ancerl, Rochester Chamber Orchestra with David Fetler and the Aspen Festival Orchestra with Szymon Goldberg. She studied Bartók in Hungary and has enjoyed playing recitals in Rochester, New York City, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada.
