Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? Should I become a professional violist or a sushi chef? These are the universal questions everyone wrestles with at some point.
Maybe not that last one. But New York Philharmonic violist Rémi Pelletier really did face exactly that fork in the path of his life. (And when you think about it, both involve rigorous training of hand, eye, and mind to be able to create an experience of beauty and delight.)
Although he had studied viola seriously since childhood, he was pursuing a career as a sushi chef. His sushi mentor told him he had to choose between the two.
Rémi agonized, but clarity came in the form of a recurring dream in which he was running through a forest, looking for his viola.
Learn more about Rémi and his journey to become a Philharmonic musician in his Q & A video above.
You can find Rémi on the cover of Playbill in February and March, and he’ll be featured on the Philharmonic’s social media channels. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tumblr for more!
Learn more about Rémi Pelletier