First-string work Classical violinist Gwen Hoebig receiving accolades for her work HE IS demure, dressed in blue jeans and a hand-knit sweater. One would never guess that she is a vir- tuoso, a nationally and internationally acclaimed concert violinist. But Gwen Hoebig has been in the spotlight for most of her 33 years. She played piano at age four and began: violin at five. “You just had to show her something once and she had it exactly,’’ says one childhood teacher. Hoebig, who grew up in North Vancouver, comes from a musical background, and her artistic ties can be traced back to her grand- parents, one of whom was a movie star in Germany in the ‘20s. Her father, Helmut, now deceased, taught viclin, led sever- af Vancouver amateur orchestras and started the B.C. Opera Association, which was the fore- runner to the Vancouver Cpera. Her mother was a talented soprano who won several scholar- ships and studied music in Lon- don, England. She now tutors students, giving no-nonsense but enjoyable in- struction in voice and piano. . Hoebig’s brother Desmond, now a principal cellist with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, also grabbed headlines for ce- markable musical achievement. Achild prodigy with perfect pitch, Gwen Yoebig worked hard and earned top honors in com- petitions such as che National _ Competition of Canedian Music Festival, the Vancouver Women's Musical Club Annual Cornpetition, . and the Munich Internatiorial Vio- lin Competition. _ Asshe makes herself comforta- ble, Hoebig confesses to having done plenty of interviews over the years; however, she is reserved when providing details of her life and career. She doesn’t mention ac- cumulated accolades, awards and scholarships, or glowing reviews by concert critics. Instead, she offers a wide smile and words of praise for her many . music teachers, including John Loban, Sydney Humphreys, Steven Staryk and Sallie Thomas. Hoebig studied at the Van- couver Academy of Music and the Victoria Conservatory of Music.: Growing up in North Vancouver was a joy for the musician, and she speaks favorably of her school days. She graduated from Cleve- land elementary and Handsworth Now Available at - The Arn Hamilton SPOTLIGHT FEATURE secondary schools. “4 had a great time, loved it,” she says enthusiastically referring to Handsworth, where the class timetables were flexible and enabled students to have one afternoon off a week. But instead of using the spare time for leisure pursuits, Hoebig and her brother spent the extra afternoons travelling to Victoria for specialized music instruction. Her academic dossier includes first-year studies at the University of British Colurnbia, and bachelor and master degrees in music from the Julliard School of Music in New York. “Julliard was an interesting school. You had to be strong-will- ed to survive the Competitiveness of it,”” she says. ’ Later, she moved to Montreal and eventually joined the Or- chestre Symphonique de Mon- treal. - tn the ever-shrinking world of classica! music, Hoebig has earned a principal place in a male- dominated arena. In 1986, a 13-man audition committee unanimously vated to entist her as first violinist for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Hoebig is now performing in her sixth season as concertmaster, act- ing as a liaison person between the orchestra and the music direc- tor or guest conductor. In addition, Hoebig finds time to teach violin at the University of Manitoba, tour as soloist, as part of the Hoebig/Moroz duo and per- form with the Winnipeg Chamber Music Society. She plays a modern Canadian- made violin and bow, and proudly reports that her equipment would “stand up in the international NORTH SHORE Wine Cellars PARK ROYAL 925-3663 PARK & TILFORD 988-2424 LONSDALE QUAYS 984-2583 FORMER NORTH Vancouver resident Gwen Hoebig and husband David Moroz recently treated music enthusiasts at Centenriai Theatre te a world-class, beautifully prepared vepertaire of chamber music. arena, no problem.” Married to concert pianist David Moroz, she says life is interesting, never “‘static’’ and their schedule “cuns all over the map.” “We are lucky,’ she adds, “‘if we can sit down together at 9 o'clock at night and have dinner together.”’ Moroz, who recently completed a PhD in music at the Universite de Montreal, is the founder and artistic director of the Winnipeg Chamber Music Society, teaches privately, performs as a solo artist, is a member of the acclaimed Hoebig/Moroz piano trio, col- laborates with other artists and is acknowledged as one of Canada’s finest chamber music pianists. Hoebig and Moroz are inteltec- tuals who work toward continued personal and professional devel- opment. . They are forthright about their performance and teaching abili- ties, but it’s refreshing to learn that they are anything but self-absorb- ed stuffed shirts. See Watching page 44 Zinfandel Pinot Blanc Petite Sirah Sauvignon Blanc oo RESCA #3 Lonsdale, North Van 984-3337 NEWS photo Nall Lucente Each Sunday, from November 22 to December 27 we are publishing “Christmas Windows". We'd like your help to make these special features more community involved. Piease ask your children to send us their letters to Santa for publication. Of course, we'li make sure Santa gets all those letters we receive. Pictures are welcome too. You could win a Christmas turkey! Send your letters and pictures along with your name, age, address and phone number before December 21 to: Dear Santa, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver B.C. V7M 2H4 THE VOICE OF NONTH AND WEST MANCOUVER