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Music in My Life
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Ju-Fang Liu, Contrabass


Ju-Fang Liu was appointed Principal Bass of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra by Maestro Mario Venzago in 2003, shortly after receiving her bachelor and master’s degrees in double bass performance from Indiana University.

Tell us about your family.
I live in Carmel with my husband, Brad, and our 7-year-old son, Jacob. Brad and I are both involved in real estate and he runs our own realty company. We love being part of the community and enjoy spending time with family, exploring local activities, and getting to know our neighbors and friends.

When did you start playing the bass?
I started playing the bass when I was around nine years old. The bass was my second instrument. My first instrument—and one that I still play—is the piano.

What do you enjoy about being part of the ISO? 
I enjoy being part of almost everything at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra! (Except playing outside under the sun and in the heat!)  

What concert are you looking forward to?
The Rite of Spring! If you listen to it, you’ll understand why its premiere in 1913 caused such a riotous reaction!

Who is your favorite composer?
I LOVE so many composers—classical, jazz, symphonic, and movie music. It really depends on the mood! Right now, it’s Gustav Mahler. I think that in this chaotic era, you could pick any one of his symphonies and find not only peace, but something more—perhaps a chance to reflect, feel, and connect with something bigger than ourselves.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not performing? 
Teaching, gardening, and cooking!

Any advice for a young person considering a career in the orchestra? 
DO IT! You’ll have great music with you all the time—and the best part is, AI can’t replace YOU! Seriously, though, being a professional musician takes tremendous dedication, patience, and perseverance. It’s a challenging path, but if you love music and performing, it can be an incredibly rewarding career.

What do you want people to know about the ISO?
I encourage everyone to get to know all of our musicians. We are not only dedicated artists; we are also wonderful human beings with stories, personalities, families, and lives beyond the concert stage. I also must acknowledge and thank our wonderful management team. They work incredibly hard behind the scenes to promote our concerts and make sure our performances are organized, accessible, and available to our community throughout the year.