The deciding factor in my rejoining Local 802 was an offer to sub on the Broadway show “Indecent,” but it was really just the little push I needed to once again become part of what I think of as an important organization for musicians. For a freelancer dealing with gigs of all types, the musicians’ union is a valuable resource. I’ve used it as a yardstick against which I can quote rates, fair practices, and the worth of all sorts of musical work (transcribing, chart-making, arranging), not just performing. I play a lot of world music (mostly Greek and Arabic), where the backgrounds and level of experience of the people who hire me vary widely. So the union provides some consistency as a reference. My favorite gigs are the ones involving inspiring music, working with people whom I enjoy being around, for a good wage. My goal is to continue to have more and more gigs that include all three. My principal instrument is violin, although I also play viola, baglama, kemanche and clawhammer banjo.