Vioin I
Where were you born?
Los Angeles, California.
What college did you attend?
San Francisco Conservatory of Music; Cal State University at Northridge; University of Oklahoma at Norman and University of Colorado at Boulder.
What inspired you to start playing music?
Never had any desire to play music until I started playing chamber music.
Why did you choose your principal instrument?
When your father is the associate concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, some things are preordained.
What other instruments do you play?
Piano (very badly).
With what other orchestras do you perform?
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera, San Diego Chamber Orchestra and Long Beach Mozart Festival (Concertmaster).
Have you performed for any of the following, and if so, who or what?
Film: Yes, too numerous to list.
Recordings: Yes, too numerous to list.
Cartoons: Yes, too numerous to list.
Touring Artists: Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, Barry Manilow, John Tesh and Shirly MacClaine.
Other: Sideline on feature films and television.
Who is your favorite composer?
Brian Wilson.
Why?
Great toe tappin’ tunes that you can walk away singin’.
What is your favorite orchestral work?
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Why?
It’s massive and passionate.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you while onstage?
While nine months pregnant with my second son, I was playing “Chicago” (on-stage orchestra) and each time the bari-sax began playing right behind me, the baby would do it’s own Fossé routine!
What do you enjoy doing besides music? (hobbies, etc.)
Camping, hiking, international folk-dancing and reading historical romance trash novels.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint chocolate chip and peppermint covered with hot fudge and marshmallow.
Do you have family, kids, or pets that you’d like to share something about?
My father, Irving Geller, was associate concertmster of the L.A. Phil and recently retired after 48 years.
Is there anything unique you’d like our audience to know about you?
I know, just make up something—like I’ve got three of something instead of two!
Email address: valeriegeller@cox.net
