Sujoy Spencer: World renowned Performer on Viola and Violin, Singer, Music Teacher, Rotarian, and NB Business Owner of JARS Café & Bakery

Co-founder of the Women’s Orchestra of Arizona

Music is an art form. Music: a combination of sound and silence expresses emotions, conveys stories, and expresses human experiences in ways that words cannot.

As a teacher, I teach students. People often say they teach music. I say, “Music teaches me.”

From my very early childhood, music soothed me. I was able to communicate without words by playing and listening to music.

All my life, I have worried that words I speak are not the “correct words for the exact moment.” I prefer having time to think before I must give a response. Music gives me exactly that. I see a sheet of music or hear something that I wish to learn to play. I find the time alone to prepare for it. I do not like people hearing me practice. It is the same as having to verbally respond before I have time to think about my response. I do not want people to hear what I perceive as mistakes.

While most of the people who know me think I am spontaneous and outgoing, it is music that has taught me how to prepare responses and be a part of a group. An orchestra is like a big corporation. No two employees do exactly the same thing, yet when each person is prepared, the outcome is amazing, just as with an orchestra.

When I was very little, my maternal grandmother expressed that I must be good enough on the violin for her to want to accompany me on the piano or organ every time I was near her. Her playing brought out the best of my musical expression. I always sounded better and had more confidence in myself when we made music together. She would, without words, musically communicate with me and we played as a single unit.

Now as an adult, I find myself “being the grandmother.” When my students come to me, it is my opportunity to bring out the best in them. Each music lesson is more than music. Private music lessons help develop cognitive, emotional, and social skills that can stay with that student for their lifetime. Becoming accomplished as a musician offers a community to belong to with or without speaking words.

I have traveled to over twenty countries now performing on either violin or viola, or with my singing voice. I like to say I am “Vi-lingual”… I play both violin and viola. Going to another country and performing there is not like being a tourist. We are giving to the people of that country without words, and in return we musicians do not feel like tourists. Amazing moments keep happening like when a husband and wife, total strangers to me, saw me at a train station in Germany and stopped me to tell me of their experience watching me perform with the symphony the night before. While I will never see them again, that moment will be with me forever.

Many art forms can be viewed repeatedly. Painting, photography, and sculptures are tangible art. I prefer to be a musical artist as I can create and be a part of creating and not worry about a perfect brush stroke or choice of color, or the best position of the subject being painted. I make my musical mistakes as we all do. Being part of a symphony, my individual mistakes are not heard or stored in the memories of the audience. I worry more about how I respond to questions from people than I do when I respond to printed music in front of me. This frees me up to focus on how to express the notes. That to me is the real music… how the notes are expressed and the emotion it emits, creating feelings without words.

The Women’s Orchestra of Arizona was founded in 2016 to provide musical opportunities that empower women musicians and benefit the greater community. As co-founder of the second all-women’s orchestra to be established in the United States (after the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra), the WOA is growing a community of connection for aspiring and virtuoso female musicians in the Phoenix metro area.

Sujoy also plays in four other Arizona symphonies while teaching violin, viola, and piano in both Massachusetts and Arizona.

In her spare time, Sujoy holds several positions in the Sturbridge Rotary and is the owner of JARS Café and Bakery at 23 Summer Street in North Brookfield.

Indulge in JARS’ diverse selection of expertly crafted hot and cold coffee and tea beverages, available with or without delightful flavors and frothy cold foams to suit every palate. The menu is thoughtfully curated and changes daily, showcasing an enticing array of breakfast and lunch offerings and a great selection of assorted pastries.

On the 1st Sunday of every month, JARS hosts Tea for Two Sundays. A selection of freshly prepared finger sandwiches, freshly baked pastries, and an array of mini desserts is service with a pot of fresh coffee or tea.