JaVonne Jones almost walked away from a lifelong passion.
“I got bored with the classics. I was going to give it up,” said Jones, a violinist and music teacher who was named the 2015 Richmond County Teacher of the Year.
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Discovering a modern use for her instrument of choice changed her perspective.
“When I realized I could play popular music, I got a different love for it, and when I got my first electric violin in 2010, I never looked back,” said Jones, who will be in concert as part of Saturday Brunch Live at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27 at the Jones Creek Clubhouse.
Jones started playing the violin when she was 9 through the Richmond County strings program. She continued playing through middle and high school at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music education as well as an education specialist degree.
The trouble with playing the classics, she said, was everything had to be done a specific way to fulfill the goal of the composer. The bow had to be held a certain way, the strings struck in the right manner. Everything had to be precise.
With modern music, Jones could play pieces the way she wanted with as much creative liberty as possible. And playing the electric violin adds a different spin to the music as well.
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Jones still plays the classics. She knows what’s required.
After teaching for 13 years in the school system, Jones left the public school system. She teaches private lessons in violin and performs.
She said she has to get creative when teaching children the violin so they don’t experience the frustrations she did.
While she loves the electric violin, she still plays the classics on her acoustical one. She often plays for weddings and special events.
But she also plays gospel, rhythm and blues, country, pop and gospel. She’s opened for acts such as Rickey Smiley, Tamela Mann and Dottie Peoples.
She often performs on Friday nights at Katerwerks at the Clubhouse at Jones Creek.
Jones said she plans on at least two additional Saturday Brunch Live events on April 3 and April 24.
Seating is limited. The event is held outside, but it can be moved inside in case of inclement weather. Tickets are $20 and reservations can be made at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-brunch-live-tickets-146616418655?aff=erelexpmlt.
To learn more about Jones, visit her website at javonnejonesviolinmusic.com.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
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