Leila Mehkeri

Trombone

I am from Aylmer, Quebec which is a town fairly close to Ottawa. My deep dive into trombone playing came when I auditioned for the Ottawa Youth Orchestra. There was a wonderful orchestral trombone player on the audition committee. So, because of this audition, I ended up taking lessons from him throughout high school. He taught me an immeasurable amount about playing a brass instrument through song and wind, making music, Gustav Mahler, and life in general. Afterwards I was lucky to have many other fantastic teachers who each set me up for success.
I later had the chance to play in the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and to study music at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto. Attending these two iconic Canadian music institutions was a watershed experience.

What inspired you to pick up your instrument for the first time, and how has your journey evolved since then?
My lifelong love of the trombone started because of a family vacation. We did not get home from this vacation until a few weeks into my grade 8 school year. I had signed up for a band class, but when I showed up (late), everyone had already chosen their instruments. The only instrument left was a trombone, which ended up being a great fit. It was like the instrument was waiting just for me!

What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring musicians?
Just go for it. You won’t regret it.

What non-musical hobbies or interests do you have that influence or inspire your musicality?
Many people know that IRL I am not only a musician, but also a practicing lawyer. I was taught to embrace opportunities which would enable me to move beyond being the “owner- operator” of a particular instrument. Engaging in lifelong learning helps us connect with a broader world and community and, as you might expect, helps us to become better human beings and better musicians.

If you could have a dinner party with any musician, living or deceased, who would they be and why?
Nadia Boulanger. She conducted major symphony orchestras in the 1930s. She once famously said, “I’ve been a woman for a little over 50 years, and I’ve gotten over my initial astonishment.”

What is the best thing about being a member of Guelph Symphony?
There are so many great things about being in the GSO! It’s hard to just pick one thing. We have a fantastic corps of musicians who each possess a high level of musicianship. We are fortunate to have a wonderful and hard-working board of directors. We have great performances thanks to thoughtful, varied repertoire and top-notch guest artists. Finally, our kinder concerts and pop-up concerts are great occasions to engage with the community.