What instrument do you play?
I am a violinist. I have been playing since I was 5 or 6. That’s a really long time (I don’t want to say exactly how long because that will give up my big secret!). My mom took me to a concert and I pointed to the violin and told her I wanted to play it.

How long have you been a Wilmington Symphony Orchestra musician?
I am not currently a member of the WSO, but I have played with them in the past. I played from 1994-1997 and then from 2000-2006ish. I moved to Florida for a few years in 1997, and then stopped playing the last time because I was struggling to find time to be a mom and do my “grown up” job.

What do you do for a career?
I am a private violin teacher and have been teaching in Wilmington since 2000. My sister Anne and I run Stevenson Stohl Suzuki Studio together and we have about 65 violin and viola students in the studio.

I recently took on a position with the WSO as the education coordinator. When things get back to normal, I will help coordinate the WSO's 8 education programs including attending all of our youth ensembles' rehearsals and concerts acting as a contact for parents and students. For now, I have been helping with Zoom rehearsals, setting up master classes through Zoom and also setting up a chamber music program for the WSYO members. They were able to be coached by members of the WSO and performed live at the Cameron Art Museum a week ago.

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I grew up climbing on the rocks at the beach in the summer and making snow forts all winter. When I was 15, we moved to West Palm Beach, FL. My blood thinned quickly and I will always be a southern girl!

What is your favorite song, artist, and/or musical memory?
That’s a hard one. So many memories. This season with all of the restrictions due to COVID, I am especially missing all of the holiday cheer I get to share around town with my children and students. Every year I take kids to play at the Good Shepherd Center right before Christmas. Sharing the gift of music and being able to brighten someone’s day who may not have a lot of brightness in their lives is so rewarding.

Favorite meal or restaurant?
Favorite meal is hands down a steamed lobster with butter. This isn’t something I do often though!

Favorite restaurant is Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn. The Big Fat Greek burrito or salad is my favorite. Plus the pineapple jalapeño salsa is to die for!

Favorite beverage?
Water is my go to. On a cold evening though, I love a glass of red wine.

What is your favorite vacation?
3 summers ago we drove up to Maine as a family. Our first stop was supposed to be Hershey Park, but torrential rain closed the park. We decided to detour and go to NYC. We also did Boston on the way. It was so fun to spend a few days in some of my favorite places on the East Coast before getting to Maine and relaxing for a couple of weeks.

You're stuck on a desert island... What book, music/album/artist and/or movie do you want with you??
I would definitely say that for books it would have to be the Twilight Series or Hunger Games. I am crazy about all of the young adult fiction series.

I don’t think I could pick one album or even music genre to have with me.

What's your pet situation?
Lots of them. I have 2 cats named Skippy and Squeakers that were in a box under the Christmas tree 8 years ago. I also have a sweet 7 year old pup, Dixie. She came from Monty’s Home. They have a program that rescues shelter dogs and then sends them to one of the local prisons where they are trained by an inmate for 6 weeks. Lastly, I have a hamster that was given to my son last year for Christmas. His name is Mr Cookie Pants McLovin DiLoreto. It is never really quiet at our house.

I also have 2 children. Aria is 16 and a sophomore at Hoggard High School and Bryce is 9 and is in 4th grade at Cape Fear Center for Inquiry. They are both violinists as well.

How are you keeping yourself occupied while being at home all day?
I stay busy. I have taught throughout this whole pandemic. I started with Zoom and FaceTime lessons and have slowly been able to start teaching in my home studio with lots of precautions. I have been a 3rd and 4th grade teacher to my youngest as well. We did lots of yard work as well as painting inside the house. It was not boring around here at all!

Any words of wisdom to help others through this?
What we are going through is not easy on anyone. Everyone is struggling in their own way. Wear your mask, wash your hands and stay home if you aren’t feeling well.