Shunske Sato

"I had just begun tinkering with the baroque violin when I got to know Mary in 2008. Hardly given a chance to be shy about “not knowing enough” about baroque – which I was – I was immediately taken by her easygoing, zesty and warm personality and engaging teaching. After just a few encouraging private lessons and even before I officially became her student, she swiftly included me as one of her own in her class and projects at the Hochschule in Munich. Her knowledge of historical performance practice is vast, her experience and repertoire extensive; but none of that was imparted without being coupled with her immaculate sense of taste, balance and rhythmic swing (the concept of “swing” has never been taught to me so effectively as from her: shooba-daba-da). To listen to her demonstrate and play was always a delight too: lyrical, honest, precise and full of spirit.

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Mary is also an incredibly experienced and sought-after concertmaster, and she is the first teacher who taught me in a definite manner what it is to lead an orchestra. From the very start her enthusiastic, natural manner of leading from the violin fascinated me, and whenever I had the chance of playing in an ensemble where she led, I did all I could to absorb like a sponge as many tricks of the trade as I could, noting how she would prepare and annotate parts, rehearse and inspire a group of musicians. Captivating too was her “art of cue giving” – how to convey tempo, color and mood with a single, clear gesture. I now do quite a lot of orchestral leading myself, and Mary has equipped me for it in every imaginable way. And I still ask myself every so often: “how would Mary do it?”

I loved every one of the four years that I studied with her, and her guidance has profoundly impacted me both musically and professionally. But what keeps her so close to my heart is that she is simply a wonderful human being. To me she is a friend, a great cook, someone to laugh and smile with, and someone who will always stand by you."

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- Shunske Sato