Kris (Fredericka) and I have never had the opportunity to say more than hello to each other at our workshops. Since all I knew about her was that she must enjoy the viol, I googled her name, and found that she is a child psychologist. That’s the fun in doing these interviews—learning interesting and surprising things about other members and getting to know them a little better.

Just out of curiosity, a question about your name: you go by both Kris and Fredericka. How did that come about?

I was named for my grandfather (Frederick). My middle name is Kristin and—just to complicate matters—my family called me Tina. Sadly, I stopped using Fredericka when I was in elementary school and was taunted by all the pejorative nicknames that can be made from Fredericka. I actually prefer Fredericka but it has become too late to use it effectively, although I did use it professionally .

And now to what I learned about you online: Could you tell us a little about your background and work as a child psychologist? Do you have a specialty within that field?

My academic and clinical training include a doctorate in clinical psychology with a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychology. I have been retired from clinical practice for five years but it was what brought me to Portland. I moved here in 2002 to take a position at what was then Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric Development and Rehabilitation program. I then went into private practice with a wonderful colleague. I loved the problem solving and the work with the children and families.

One other thing I learned about you is that you are a singer. Voice and viol—the perfect combination! I have the feeling that singing came before the viol. Is that right? When and how did your interest in singing develop? Are you active now?

Musically, my first instrument was voice. I never had the opportunity to participate in instrumental music. I attended elementary school in a three-room schoolhouse (literally) until sixth grade – there was no music education. In middle and high school we had choral music but no instrumental music. I have been singing in choirs and choruses since I was about 10, when I was given special dispensation from the choir director to attend church choir rehearsals with my mother, who was a soloist. I have been singing in church choirs and school choirs and then community choirs ever since. I have been singing with the Oregon Repertory Singers and the Westminster Presbyterian Church choir here in Portland since 2002.

How did you become interested in learning viol? Do you take lessons? What size(s) do you play?

I have always loved Baroque and Renaissance music and was introduced to the viol by a friend who was learning to play a tenor. Despite having never played a bowed stringed instrument, I was intrigued, and when a friend was selling a 7-string bass viol I bought it. I have been very fortunate to study with Adaiha Macadam Somer since 2020.

Do you enjoy practicing? What has been your biggest challenge in learning viol?

I am making progress although I am still a relative beginner. I actually love practicing. I wish I were making more progress but occasionally I see some improvement! My greatest challenges are making a sound that I think anyone would like to listen to, playing only the string I want to play, and bow management. I know what I want my music to sound like and it can be frustrating to hear something other than that.

Are there other instruments you play?

I had always wanted to learn to play an instrument and was particularly intrigued with the oboe. A close friend in New Hampshire where we then lived, who was also a singer, organist and pianist, got tired of hearing me complain about not ever having learned to play an instrument and gave me an oboe for my 40th birthday. I studied and played the oboe (adding English Horn to the mix) until the beginning of the pandemic when wind instruments became dangerous to others.

A hearty thanks to you for contributing to Cascadia Viols by being on the board. It seems to me that shortly after you joined, you stepped up serve on the board. How did that happen? As a member at large, what have some of your responsibilities been?

Jeanne (Collins) was the one who convinced me to join the board, and we have worked together on workshop details. Mainly I proofread workshop announcements and other mailings and husband the nametags!

When you have time, what other interests or hobbies do you enjoy?

Other passions include knitting and physical exercise. I learned to knit at a very early age and have been knitting ever since. I have always engaged in physical activities; I have been a competitive athlete since I was a child and although I no longer engage in competitive athletics, I am still quite active.