Every month, we like to spotlight one of our incredible Elemental Music teachers. Some of them have been teaching with us for close to a decade while others might be in their first year of working for our organization, but there is one thing that all of our teachers have in common: their dedication to the young musicians in our programs.
This month, we are featuring Laila Zakzook. Some of you may know Laila as a viola teacher and section coach at Elemental Strings. Others may know her from her work on our administrative team. As a Santa Monica local, Laila has a long history with music education in our community and we are so delighted to have her working with our students every week and bringing her expertise to our programs! Learn more about Laila in our interview below:
Elemental Music: You hold many roles within Elemental Music. Can you tell us a little bit about your history with the organization?
Laila Zakzook: I do happily hold many roles within Elemental Music! As a musician and teacher I love working with our students as the viola coach for Elemental Strings Sinfonia and also as a private teacher in our Bergmann/Encore program.
As an arts administrator, I hold the roles of Elemental Music’s Donor Relations Manager and Venice Programs Coordinator.
As for my history with Elemental Music, I grew up in the SMMUSD music program and had many friends who participated in the first year of Elemental Strings! As an adult, after many years away from Los Angeles, Mr. Aiello (who was one of my high school teachers - his first year at Samohi was also my first year at Samohi!) urged me to apply for the job of Elemental Strings Viola Coach and my role has grown since then!
EM: How did you get started in music?
LZ: I got started in music the same exact way as many of our students! In 4th grade at Franklin Elementary School I participated in music class and chose to play violin. In 8th grade I switched to viola and never looked back!
EM: What is one of your favorite musical memories?
LZ: I was lucky enough to play Brahms' 3rd Symphony under Leon Fleisher shortly before he passed away. For those who might not know, he was a legendary pianist and musical mind. While on the podium he seemed to have a non-stop supply of amazing (and often very funny) stories about all of the most famous musicians of the 20th century. By this time he was very elderly and one morning I saw him crossing the icy street alone. I walked with him and was star struck. At the end of our short conversation he said "Were you trying to pander to me?" and I replied, "Yes!"
EM: Your performance career includes a lot of chamber music, performing in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and collaborating with renowned artists. How have these experiences shaped your approach to teaching young musicians?
LZ: Like most musicians, I have a patchwork performance career but my absolute favorite thing to do is play chamber music. I have learned so much from all of my chamber music colleagues - both in an immediate and long term sense. Chamber music is all about communication, which has absolutely helped me understand what each individual student needs and adjust accordingly.
EM: As a Santa Monica High School graduate, you've come full circle by teaching in the same community where you grew up. What does it mean to you to be able to inspire and mentor the next generation of young musicians here?
LZ: This is so meaningful to me! I can't believe I get to work with my own mentors and people I have always admired like Mr. Aiello and Dr. Jo. Especially after being away from Los Angeles for more than a decade, it really felt like a homecoming. Being a part of the music program in Santa Monica was such a big part of my identity growing up - it played a role in everything I did, including making lifelong friends! I love watching our students form these friendships and feel included in this community.
EM: If you could give our students one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, what would it be?
LZ: Listen to music! Listen to all kinds of music! Developing your own taste is something that will not only bring you strong musical conviction, but an openness and awareness to other perspectives in life.