DSA Member Spotlight: Mira Larson

Mira Larson is a Salt Lake City-based Dalcrozian and cellist and Dalcrozian. She is currently finishing up her license level studies through the Dalcroze School of Music and Movement. Mira currently teaches in Salt Lake City at the Gifted Music School, La Maison des Enfants, and her own Rythmique Music School. In addition, Mira serves as the treasurer on the DSA’s Board of Trustees.

How were you introduced to Dalcroze work?

I first learned about Jaques-Dalcroze from his writings, after graduating with cello performance degrees and beginning to teach privately. I was dissatisfied with what I felt could be accomplished in the weekly lesson and was looking for ways to give students a broader musical exposure and deeper foundations. I had known that my inspiring relative Marie-José Ekström Rey had taught at the Institut Jaques-Dalcroze, but I was not exposed to a Dalcroze class until visiting the Dalcroze School of the Rockies in 2016.

What is your musical background?

I grew up in a musical home with a father who is a jazz pianist. I started learning cello as a young child, but loved music best as inspiration for dance and movement. I studied cello with Hans Jensen at Northwestern University (B.M.) and Natasha Brofsky at the New England Conservatory (M.M.)

How are you incorporating Dalcroze education into your musical life?

After earning my Dalcroze Professional Certificate in 2019, I rented a studio space with the aim of offering Dalcroze classes. Since 2020, Rythmique Music School has been where I invest most of my time and energy as it continues to grow as a center for music and movement in Salt Lake City. Current students are age 4 through adult. One of my aims is to integrate more faculty as well as instruments, with Dalcroze at the core. That is starting to happen this year with piano and violin/ viola. A longterm goal is to forge deep links between my Dalcroze training and conservatory string playing background.

Any other fun facts?

I grew up in a French-speaking household and do up to half my teaching in French!