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The private lives of classical musicians

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This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

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.

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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.

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