At C4E, we believe that people and experiences are at the centre of anything we do, in life and especially in the events business. The good thing is, when we work, we get to meet some amazing people — artists, technicians, sound engineers, DJs, bands, decorators, designers and others. And as we execute projects, everyone becomes part of this one whole unit, a shape-shifting team that loves doing one thing — creating experiences that you cherish for rest of your lives!
So we got talking to Susan ‘Suzie’ Gregory, a professional violinist/entertainer whose electric strings band, Maske, is well known in the global events circuit — from Las Vegas and Delhi to Australia. Over an email interview, she told us what it is like to perform for events, how did she start out and what should those aspiring in the business know about it.
Suzie started playing the violin when she was five, and went on to learn the piano, guitar and the viola and graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a Diploma of Music and a Bachelor of Music. After her post graduation, she became a freelance musician and teacher, working and backing many big name artists and doing weddings.
This became boring after awhile and I needed more of a challenge so I set up an all girl electric string trio called Maske, specialising in the events in the corporate market. This really worked and before I knew it we had a New York agent and we were performing in front of 17, 000 people at the Cisco Systems world conference in Las Vegas.
This began her career as a jet-setting artist, and her time travelling everywhere, living out of a suitcase and always having a new challenge and a new country to perform in. The trio have performed at launches of products from cars and champagne to phones.
Necessity breeds growth. In 2008/2009, the USA was hit by the financial crisis and thus began Suzie’s tryst with India. They stayed here for three months, playing at weddings, Bollywood parties, launches etc. The next time they came to India, they would be featured in the media for a high-profile stint. (Trivia: They did 17 shows in a month! 17.)
She followed this phase up with a solo show called ‘The Australian String Diva’ show.
Now a mother to 16 month-old, Valentina, she is balancing life and wishes that this life that is full of travelling and adventure will also open up her daughter to amazing experiences. Ask her about her approach to work and she says, ‘Prepared and adaptable’. She is always willing to help out and use her knowledge of the events business to make things smoother (we vouch for that!)
What excites her? A client with a vision and the budget to see crazy experiences go through, using multi-sensory and visual elements that enhance her performance. (Helps set a great mood for the guests too, if ya’ll listening?)
Quick Trivia
Band: Maske
Solo Show: The Australian String Diva
Events: Cruise shows, charity galas, weddings, product launches, parties etc.
Location: All the world’s a stage?
Current role: Mother and artist
Exit tip: “Be reliable and communicate well to your staff and your client so you can get the job done.”
Contact Suzie
Her website is suzieg.com and maskemusic.com. On email, she is suziegmusic AT gmail.
A Suzie anecdote from Saurabh, from Team C4E
So, Suzie says, be reliable and communicate well. I can totally vouch for it! While putting a show in Australia, the client asked me to get some additional musicians and my local vendor could not help me with anything. The client had not allowed me to go for a recce and thus I had no way of getting trustworthy musicians that can perform well.
I asked Suzie if she could do it for me.
And voila! She did! She not only got me some amazing musicians and acts, she also spoke to them as if she were part of my team, negotiated with them and ensured that they delivered!
If you are looking for a reliable, professional and great person to work with, Suzie it is!
A glimpse of her performance:
Thanks for reading!
