Is it what we say or when we say it? Musicians self-describe in as many ways as there are styles of music. One of the most obvious and ironically least used descriptions is the title of timekeeper. In her TEDx talk, Tai Murray explores why this is historically relevant and not to mention true in contemporary moments and how she makes this moniker her own. Tai Murray, lauded by The Philadelphia Inquirer as “a violinist with more than technique on her mind” and a musician of “exceptional assurance and style,” is a 2004 Avery Fisher Career Grant winner. She has performed globally with major orchestras like the London Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic, and at premier venues including Carnegie Hall and Philharmonie Berlin. Murray’s recordings include an album of Ysaÿe’s Six Sonatas (Harmonia Mundi, 2012) and Bernstein’s Serenade (Mirare, 2014). Playing a Tommaso Balestrieri violin (circa 1760), she is Associate Professor, Adjunct at the Yale School of Music, previously participating in TEDxGeorgetown in 2012. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx