Nora Kaminski
Bio
Betty Ellsworth and I, circa 1997. Betty was not only a major influence on my fiddle playing, but also was a wonderful role model for my career.
Matt Cross and I in 2006. This was one of our many shows which we shared as a duet.
5 other Rochester-based female Musicians and I gathered at Boulder Coffee Company for a photoshoot which supplemented an inside article about the female singer-songwriter movement.
Pictured in both photos is Katy Wright, Teagan Ward, Teressa Wilcox, Margaret Storms, Julia Nunes, and myself. Photos and article by Frank DeBlase,
I grew up in a house which was full of positive and creative energy. My Father, a seasoned Accordion player (a jack of all trades), was my main musical influence growing up. My brother, sister and I all inherited the music gene, so weeknights and weekends were spent being shuffled around town to music lessons, ensemble practices, and special events.
I studied at the Hochstein School of Music from when I had first started the violin around the age of 5. I later joined the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra, in which I was able to travel with to France in 2004, and Germany and the Czech Republic in 2006. I also worked on a couple of alternative violin styles other than classical, such as blues, fiddle, and klezmer. I studied voice at Hochstein for 3 years as well.
When I was 15, I met a musician named Matt Cross, who invited me to participate in an open mic night at Daily Perks Coffee House. My Dad and I quickly became Coffee House stars resulting from our infamous rendition of "Baba O'Riley" by the Who. Inspired by Matt's beautiful songs, I decided to take up guitar so I could write my own. After playing my heart out everywhere and to everyone I could, I gained notoriety around Rochester as an established musician and singer-songwriter. I later joined two bands: an indie rock duo as well as fiddling for Teagan and the Tweeds.
My influences include Feist, Andrew Bird, Madeleine Peyroux, the Beatles, jazz standards, various local artists, and anything I hear which catches my attention. I like unique music that incorporates a variety of musical styles and interesting rhythms.
I am a 2011 Graduate of SUNY Fredonia's Music Business program. In the future, you can expect to hear new music as well as see new videos from me. A lot has happened over the past few years, and I’m aching to sing all about it!
