Violinist rocks up for big Christmas gig
Rockstar violinist Yoomia Sim just wants to be free.
The Christchurch musician rejects her classical training in favour of an electric violin and freestyle versions of popular classics.
She will bring her unique violin style to Christchurch this week with a performance at the Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park show in Hagley Park on Saturday.
‘‘I am not classical. I play classical violin, but electric makes it more fun and relatable to people,’’ she said.
‘‘I can be wild and do hair flicks and let go and be free. I don’t have to be conservative or stick to the rules.
‘‘I don’t have to play along with what the first violinist wants me to be doing. Freedom is the most important part of this journey.’’
Sim, who performs under her first name Yoomia, has a unique style which has taken her around the world, performing to 20,000 people before an All Blacks game in Argentina in August, playing in Melbourne with Il Divo, and at the Sydney Opera House with Michael Bolton and Florence and the Machine.
At the Christmas in the Park show, she will perform a version of AC/DC’s rock classic You Shook Me All Night Long.
‘‘Everybody knows that song. I am a crossover, high energy violin player.
‘‘It is the second song in my set list to amp people up.’’
Sim will join a Christchurch lineup including Kaylee Bell, MC Jackie Clarke, a 20-piece band, a gospel choir and a kapa haka group.
It was good that Christmas in the Park was back after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she said.
‘‘It is a great way to celebrate events after a gap and just for everybody to get together and celebrate life.’’
She said her popular style sometimes ruffled feathers in the classical world.
‘‘At the start, I didn’t want to be frowned upon by my classically trained colleagues.
‘‘I didn’t want to be judged, but now I don’t care.
‘‘I would rather be a people’s musician than a musician’s musician.’’