Artist-in-Residence: Laura Bacon, MPP1
by Naseem Khuri, Culture/Photo Editor on February 12, 2008 in Artist-in-Residence, Culture
This issue’s Artist-in-Residence is Laura Bacon, who balances her academic life as an MPP1 with her performing life as a cellist with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.
Bacon performs with the Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra at Boston’s Hatch Shell, August 2006. Courtesy: Laura Bacon
When did you first start playing, and how’d you get from those compulsory music lessons to the Boston Philharmonic?
I started playing when I was nine, and my hometown community orchestra was a very special part of my development. I played seriously throughout high school and college, and toured internationally with my youth and college orchestras. I almost went to music conservatory (twice!) for a performance degree: once when I was 18 (but went to Harvard to study psychology instead), and once when I was 22 (but joined the Peace Corps instead). I took my cello with me to my mud hut in Niger and occasionally played Bach Cello Suites for my village.
When I came home, I started playing chamber music at MIT. Chamber music has always been my favorite way of making music – very intimate. In 2006, I auditioned for the Boston Philharmonic and got in! It’s a great privilege to work under Maestro Benjamin Zander, and to perform great works in Boston’s beautiful concert halls. It never gets old.
What brought you to HKS in the first place, and where are you headed next? Thinking about quitting the day job?
As a Harvard undergrad, I was always intrigued by HKS students (and impressed with their inflatable globes at graduation!). I also worked as a full-time Research Fellow with Professor Todd Pittinsky at the Center for Public Leadership, so I learned a lot about the school before applying.
My regional focus is West Africa, and my future will likely include a combination of humanitarian work – focusing on human and food security – and empowering youth through the arts.
As for the day job, I made the decision to become a full-time student, I identify myself as such, and love it. Music will always be an incredible force in my life, but a hobby, not a profession.
Given the demands of a concert cellist, how do you strike the balance between music and school?
It’s sometimes difficult – I often have evening rehearsals in Boston, so I get a late start on my studying. It certainly necessitates that I organize my time wisely. But it’s actually really refreshing to have both elements – academics and the arts – in my life. I’d feel incomplete without either one. And they overlap. For instance, last night during a break in our orchestra rehearsal, I found myself reading “Managing Public Expenditure in Developing Countries.” And this morning in Economics, I could not get Tchaikovsky’s 6th symphony out of my head!
In what ways, if any, has HKS affected your music career? Have skills you’ve developed at HKS been helpful for your music, or am I really reaching here?
I have definitely gained a great appreciation for policymakers and the decisions they face. I realize that if we really believe the arts are a vital part of our culture and education, we policymakers need to ensure that they are prioritized. Budget cuts in my hometown slashed away our entire music program and students lost their teachers and instruments.
Now I’m just curious: ever try to play “Freebird” on the cello? Maybe some AC/DC?
I apologize for my ignorance – I’ll admit it, I’m a big orchestra geek. I have no idea what “Freebird” is! Honestly, my first thought was: “I’ve played Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite!” … I’ll Google it.
Bacon will be performing in the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra’s upcoming events, which include the following:
- Thursday, February 21 (Sanders Theater at Harvard, 7:30pm)
- Saturday, February 23 (Jordan Hall in Boston)
- Sunday, February 24 (Sanders Theater at Harvard, 3pm)
For more information, visit www.bostonphil.org.
Written by Naseem Khuri, Culture/Photo Editor · Filed Under Artist-in-Residence, Culture
Naseem Khuri is a former Culture and Photo Editor of the Citizen. Prior to his time at the Kennedy School, Khuri worked as an Associate at CMPartners, a consulting firm specializing in negotiation and conflict management training and coaching. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 2001 with degrees in biochemistry and music, and actually still plays music (myspace.com/kingsleyflood). He enjoys late night Guitar Hero, Diet Coke with Lime, long walks on the beach and shamelessly advertising his myspace music page.
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