Featured Member Halle Fields
from Englewood, Florida, United States

Showcasing musicians from around the world, Featured Member Interviews give Musical Exchange members a little insight into the things we share as musical artists.

Carnegie Hall: What are three things you love about music?

Halle: 1) Music is always there for you. It can never get up and walk away like friends or family can. 2) Music always can represent my emotions. Whenever I feel happy, I can sit down at my piano and play something upbeat that will extend my smile even further. 3) Music is not just a hobby, but a lifestyle. Once you get involved in music, your whole life becomes music. You make friends that are in band with you, your spare times become practice time, etc.

Carnegie Hall: What is the best musical advice anyone has ever given you?

Halle: "Don't let the fear of playing it wrong keep you from doing what you love. No one ever asked you to be perfect. If it was perfect, it'd be in Carnegie Hall; until then, play it to the best of your abilities." —My piano teacher

Carnegie Hall: What are your four favorite things to eat right now?

Halle: String cheese, fruit salad, sweet potatoes, and cucumbers. If drinks counted, I would have said apple juice and iced coffee!

Carnegie Hall: Tell us about the most fun you ever had a musical event?

Halle: Marching band competitions with my friends are the best! I think the best time I've ever had at a competition is after performing at States. We watched all the best bands and cheered and hollered from the stands. Afterwards, we had a big party on the bus and stopped at Golden Coral on the way home and filled the entire restaurant. It was a blast!

Carnegie Hall: What are the three best things about your city/school?

Halle: 1. Since I live in such a small town, everyone knows each other, so everyone gets along for the most part. 2. My school is usually thought of as a performing arts school because of our theater department, but recently the music department has had a chance to shine! We've had a great season! 3. I live in a beach town; we have some of the best beaches in the country!

Carnegie Hall: What is the most important thing you have learned this past year?

Halle: Nobody is perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. All that any person can expect out of you is to be true to yourself.

Carnegie Hall: What is your motto (or favorite quote)?

Halle: "Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they cannot get it wrong."

Carnegie Hall: Where is your favorite place to go?

Halle: As odd as it sounds, my favorite place to go is school. I see all of my wonderful friends, and I get to spend time doing what I love most, playing music.

Carnegie Hall: What do you look forward to this year?

Halle: Hopefully attending the University of Florida International Piano Festival this summer, and the upcoming marching season!

Carnegie Hall: How did you start playing music?

Halle: I started playing music as a small child, around the age of three or four, because I was always at my piano. I would tinker around playing little things that I would pick out on my own. My mother thought this was a sign and took me to my first piano lesson. That was probably one of the best decisions someone has ever made for me. I've been in love with music ever since.