What happens when three musician sisters all decide to attend Princeton University?
A group of talented young performers becomes a welcomed part of the community.
The Kende Trio, also known as Alexis, Christa, and Daniela Kende, began playing their instruments before they were old enough to read, and now they're performing all over the world. The sisters grew up in Long Island, and while they have said that it wasn't a conscious decision, all three have ended up right here in Princeton together, and are now able to continue a family tradition that began in their hometown eight years ago.
Christa is a junior at the University, studying history and music performance; Daniela is a freshman who is looking to major in political science and humanities; and Alexis is a 2005 graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in religion and a certification in music performance. She currently teaches violin at Westminster Choir College, and gives private lessons to children at Princeton Day Care Center, and to individual students.
Alexis, 22, plays the violin; Christa, 20, plays the viola; and Daniela, 18, plays the cello. In 1997 they decided to combine their musical talents to form the Kende Trio, performing at weddings and other musical events around the U.S. and abroad. Among their performances were one for the late Pope John Paul II in Rome in 1999, and the Philippine, British, and Hungarian ambassadors. They have also had media coverage on WQXR radio, as well as CBS's 60 Minutes, ABC's 20/20, and NBC's Today Show.
Rather than limit their performances to the most lucrative venues, the sisters have also performed at schools, hospitals, churches, libraries, bookstores, nursing homes, and at a Katrina benefit concert in September on the Princeton campus.
"Having a classical music skill gives you the power to give back to the community.... You can make a difference through your music," said Daniela, mentioning how she volunteered at a local hospital in high school and helped patients through a music therapy program.
"It doesn't put you out so much but it makes a big difference to the other person," she added.
The Kendes also give lessons in violin, viola, and cello. In 2002 they opened a teaching studio in Long Island, and this fall they opened another studio for private and chamber music instruction here in Princeton.
A Wealth of Experience
While the sisters have only recently begun to perform in the Princeton area, each of them has 17 years of music experience behind them. Alexis was five years old when she first picked up the violin, and soon her sisters followed in her footsteps, with Daniela beginning to play when she was only two-and-a-half years old.
While neither parent is a famous musician, their mother studied violin in high school, and their father's parents were always great lovers of classical music.
"Our mom always wanted us to play together. She was happy when this worked out," said Christa, noting that while their parents encouraged them to pursue music, they also wanted them to participate in other activities, such as ballet and swimming. "They really didn't push us."
The three began learning music on the violin, using the Suzuki Method, which encourages children to begin lessons at a very young age as well as urging parents to become involved.
"It's hard because kids already feel like their parents are always telling them what to do," said Alexis, adding that in the end the method actually improves the relationship and helps them to learn that practicing music is a regular part of the day just like anything else.
Daniela was only 10 years old when the Kende Trio was formed, after her orchestra teacher asked the sisters if they would play some pieces at her wedding. She handed them a book of music that they could learn to play together, which they did.
"I guess she just put the idea into our heads.... I was surprised people wanted us to perform at that age," said Christa, adding that thanks to word of mouth they have now performed in more than 100 weddings.
"Being able to do weddings opened up a great opportunity for us at such a young age," said Daniela, noting that they still use some of the music pieces they learned for that first wedding.
One way the Kendes helped spread the word was through a bridal showcase in Long Island, which they have tried to attend every year to distribute information on their group. Now that all three are in Princeton, their brother, Stefan, 14, attends in their place.
"He's our business manager," said Daniela. "He's definitely gotten us a lot of weddings."
And, more recently, the sisters have asked their cousin to help them create a Web site to spread the word about their group (www.Kende Trio.com). Included on the site are pictures of the three women, as well as their background and information on how to contact them for a performance or private lessons. Visitors can also listen to some of the music the Kendes have performed.
Music as a Career
Alexis, who still appears to view the Kende Trio as a side job, said she has enjoyed becoming a music teacher in Princeton, and currently has 20 students that she teaches privately.
"I really enjoy teaching," she said. "I like the interaction with people.... Teaching is a little more fun for me [than performing]; you get to share yourself and your music with other people."
With so many public and private schools in the area it is easy to find parents and students who are eager to sign up their children for music lessons, said Alexis. Some parents enroll two or three children in lessons at the same time, which she said "can be challenging because brothers and sisters have their arguments."
When asked if the Kende sisters have their arguments, they all agreed that for the most part they've gotten along well over the years, and still fondly remember days from their childhood such as "Camp Kende Day," when their mother would plan out activities for them to do together for days at a time during the summer.
The Kende Trio has done well so far in Princeton, attracting more than 200 people for a program they recently performed at the Princeton Public Library.
"You can tell that people are really into culture and the arts here," said Daniela.
Over the years the Kendes have been asked to perform for many different functions, from bar mitzvahs, to reunions, to a birthday party for the mayor of the town where they grew up.
And the sisters don't shy away from unusual requests, as one time they were asked to perform barefoot in a park for a wedding, where they played Elvis Presley songs during the bridal procession.
For information on private music lessons by Alexis Kende, call (609) 865-6925, or email AKende@mac.com. For information on the Kende Trio, visit www.Kende Trio.com.