About

carolhamilton2 - About
Standing from left to right:  Me, holding my Violin; my Professor/Private Violin teacher and Arizona State University Orchestra Director, Eugene P. Lombardi (Dark suit); Connie Zeek, Violin; Judy Sellers, Flute; Jan Sessions, Violin; and an Orchestra Violist seated at the Piano.

Born and raised in a family with my certified Artisan metal worker and Business owner father and a degreed and State certified Educator mother, the radio in our home as a child afforded many Classical performances by the NBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Arturo TOSCANINI      (1867 – 1957). At Elementary school age, Carmen DRAGON, Conductor of the Standard School Broadcast Orchestra, brought me much joy as he narrated with explanations of each composer and the Orchestral music performed.

My early homeschool education curriculum included Piano lessons. As a tot, my mother would place me behind her on a chair. Leaning against her as she played, her body’s rhythmical movements, along with the music itself, were both strongly “inked” into the recesses of my mind and being.

At age 5, I began piano lessons at home with my Mother, followed by more intense study at age 9 with Mrs. Charlesetta FAVORS-BANKS, Piano Teacher. By age 11, I was accepted as a Piano student at then Arizona State College in Tempe, AZ with Professor Arnold BULLOCK. At age 13, I was accepted as a Violin student by Eugene P. LOMBARDI.

It was in High School I met Eugene P. LOMBARDI, who opened the door to the Orchestral experience which ultimately shaped my musical ear as a Conductor and Music Educator. He was also my private Violin teacher. After having several years of Piano studies under my belt, while still in Elementary school, I was surrendipitously lead to Professor Arnold BULLOCK at Arizona State; who introduced me to works by CHOPIN and BRAHMS (to name a few). My connection with Professor Eugene LOMBARDI, Conductor of the Arizona State University Symphony, continued as a College student.

Offered a full four-year scholarship to both Arizona State College in Tempe, and University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ; I chose to follow Professor Eugene P. LOMBARDI. At Arizona State College, I continued my Music studies under Professor Arnold BULLOCK in Piano; as well as Professor Miles A. DRESSKELL in Violin; Professor Bess J. BARKLEY in Voice, and Professor Dr. Grant FLETCHER in Music Theory and Form & Analysis.

Discovering in college that females were commonly trained as Choral music teachers, Voice lessons were therefore introduced; forming my understanding of the vocal mechanism. I realized then that the Voice, too, is an bona fide instrument.

The support of my parents, and the introduction of individuals who shaped my musical life and ear are at the core of my deep love of music, which I now publicly share in my Blog entitled, “Music in the Elevator”.