What About Me?

by Zwijack, Emily

• ISBN13: 9798317805371
• ISBN10: 8317805379
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2025-07-26
• Publisher: BookBaby
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Summary

Emily Zwijack's debut Memoir is a raw and powerful exploration of life behind the curtain of conservatory and classical music. As a gifted violinist and teacher, Emily devoted her life to her art, rising through the ranks of a prestigious music conservatory. But behind the stage lights and sonatas, she endured repeated sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted professor - an experience that would fracture her sense of safety and identity.

She works to break free from her abuser, enduring a long battle with complex PTSD, and a harrowing confrontation with an institutional system more invested in reputation than justice. While struggling to access basic protections and recognition, Emily also faces the daily pressure of coursework, recitals, and graduation requirements. The same discipline and focus that fueled her musicianship became a double - edged sword-helping her cope, while also masking the depth of her trauma.

This Memoir is both a personal reckoning and a call to action. With unflinching honesty, Emily examines how abuse persists in elite institutions, how the justice system routinely fails survivors, and how healing can be non-linear, messy, and still deeply transformative. Through moments of vulnerability, rage, and resilience, she charts a path forward - not just for herself, but for others navigating similar battles.

What About Me? is a testament to the power of storytelling, the necessity of accountability, and the enduring strength of survivors. It is a book for anyone who has ever struggled to be heard - and for those ready to listen.

Author Biography

Emily Zwijack is a multifaceted musician, music educator, and sexual abuse advocate based in Chicago, Illinois. A classically trained violinist, violist, and cellist, she also excels as a music educator, writer, podcaster, and figure skating coach. She currently holds two bachelor's degrees in music education and violin performance and has been a teacher for seven years.

In addition to her skills as a musician, Emily is a passionate advocate for sexual abuse awareness in the classical music community. She currently co-hosts "Dissonant Dialogues: Challenges in Classical Music," with co-host Claire Barber, addressing issues such as abuse, power dynamics, and survival strategies within the field. She has published research on pedagogies for students with learning disabilities, trauma-informed teaching strategies, and sexual harassment in the conservatory setting. Emily is also an active content creator, sharing her musical journey and advocacy work on social media platforms under the handle @thatcrazyviolingirl, where she has amassed a following of over 30,000.