Regina Kascak of Grafton turns passion for violin into business

The violin emits a beautiful sound.

In skilled and practiced hands, it can be perhaps the most romantic of instruments.

Violins create a recognizable sound so distinct that, when played well, most anyone can recognize it.

For one Grafton woman, that sound and that instrument captivated her when she was but a young girl, and she has turned that captivation into a thriving side hustle.

Regina Kascak is a violin virtuoso, having picked up the instrument at the ripe old age of 5.

Kascak has performed live in various jazz bands, marching bands and orchestras since the fourth grade.

She grew up in Parma and attended Normandy High School before graduating from Cuyahoga Community College with a degree in arts.

Kascak lives in Grafton now with husband, Mark, and her 2-year-old daughter, Scarlett, who actually was largely responsible for her violin-toting mom taking her talent on the road.

A talented chef at a local Italian ristorante, Kascak found that after Scarlett came along, the rigors of working in the food industry and being mother to a newborn were not entirely compatible.

She said that the restaurant work pays the bills, but that playing violin is her passion, and thus Perfect Harmony Violin was born.

Need a violinist?

Kascak has it covered.

She’s done everything from weddings, corporate events, engagements, private parties, memorials and more.

Her business is listed on The Wedding Wire and The Knot, and she has packages available that start at $250 on up.

But one recent event sounds priceless.

“I was hired to do a wedding and I always let the family make a few suggestions as to what selections they’d like to have me perform,” Kascak said. “Often, it’s pretty standard things that I already know and have played a million times, but I’m always open to learning new songs and if they have any special requests, I try my best to accommodate them.

“Well, the bride wanted to walk down the aisle to ‘Nothing Else Matters’ by Metallica. I thought, why not, right? So, I learned it and played it for them and it was really nice. It’s not always classical music that you play, and I’ve actually been learning a lot of popular music lately. I love it.

“I usually play things like Mozart or Bach or Beethoven but putting a classical spin on a heavy metal song is a lot of fun, and if that’s what they want, I’m happy to do it.”

And while many of the other youngsters growing up 20 years ago were into the popular music of the day, Kascak admitted that she really loved the classics and the beauty of classical music in general.

Her sister Angela was first to pick up an instrument, bringing a cello home from school one day.

It was out of a desire to be like her older sister that she decided to try her hand at the violin.

“I took my first lesson when I was 5, and I remember the teacher saying something to my mom like I was a natural,” Kascak said. “I took to it right off the bat, and it felt very natural.

“And since then, I’ve obviously been practicing and practicing for years and years. From age 5 to 18, I had lessons every single week, then private practice. I played in the youth orchestra, so I played that violin all the time.

“It just clicked in my head. I liked the sound and singing tones; I just loved it. My sister still dabbles with the cello, so we play together sometimes. I look back at my younger years and I suppose I was not this super cool kid, I was always playing violin.

“I was an orchestra nerd. So, it’s neat that now that I’m older, those same kids that I went to school with are calling me up to come play violin at their wedding.”

For eight years, Kascak has performed for private events, just a show here and there, but decided to formally launch the business and cut back the full-time chef job to part time.

In the past year, she has done more than 20 events, with 13 more lined up.

“Music is so healing for yourself; it’s an emotional experience for me,” Kascak said. “Now, I can use that passion, spend more time with my family and share that wonderful experience with others while earning a few bucks.

“All that practice is paying off, and it gives our family a real sense of freedom.”