The private lives of classical musicians

There’s the life you lead at work, and then there's the one outside it.

For three Los Angeles-based professional classical musicians, extracurricular activities come in handy, to keep themselves happy and to pay the rent.

A first-time mother and violist finds herself humming a cutesy song instead of the latest concerto. A bassist is an avid poker player who also spends his time teaching music at Cal State Long Beach. A violin player teaches her instrument to youngsters.

In this story in Sunday's Arts & Books section, musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera and Pacific Symphony give readers a glimpse of the pleasures  and complexities of making a living in music.

-- Yvonne Villarreal

Above: Tina Chang Qu, a violinist with Los Angeles Opera, gives a lesson to Wesley Tani,12, in her Monterey Park home. Below: Bass player Paul Zibits plays poker a his monthly game with friends.

Credit: Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times