Hilary Castle Concert

Description

Hilary Castle Performs a “Concert for Conservation” to Benefit the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
 
Concert at Union Baptist Church in Mystic will Feature Violinist Hilary Castle Accompanied by Raymond Wong on Piano
Accomplished violinist and Stonington native Hilary Castle will perform works of Franck, Debussy, Sarasate, Gershwin, and Bach at a Concert for Conservation to benefit the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center on April 1at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church in Mystic.  Tickets are $20 for DPNC members, $25 for non-members and $5 for students and may be purchased by calling (860) 536-1216 or by visiting www.dpnc.org/concert.htm
 
A native of Stonington, Connecticut, violinist Hilary Castle began violin studies at the age of 7. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from Boston University, Hilary earned her Master of Music degree from Mannes College in New York City and received her Professional Studies diploma at Mannes, as a student of Lucie Robert.  For three seasons, she served as concertmaster of the Mannes Opera Orchestra under the direction of Metropolitan Opera conductor Joseph Colaneri, as well as serving as one of the Mannes Symphony Orchestra’s co-concertmasters and principal second violin under the baton of David Hayes.
As an orchestral player she has been fortunate to perform in some of the world’s greatest concert halls, including Boston Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully and Avery Fisher Halls, the Rudofinum/Dvořák Hall (Prague), and the Pesti Vigadó(Budapest).  Additionally, Ms. Castle has appeared in chamber and solo performances at the New-York Historical Society, The Morgan Library, U.N. German Consulate General, Ukrainian Institute of America, New York Public Library, and Colony Club.  Her summers have been spent at national and international music festivals, including the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the Texas Music Festival, MusicAlp Courchevel and the Casalmaggiore International Festival (Italy).
 
Ms. Castle is a member of the strings faculty of Turtle Bay Music School in New York City and a member of Sketchy Black Dog, a jazz trio and string quartet. Led by Misha Piatogorsky, Sketchy Black Dog mixes timeless rock tunes with jazz.  She has recently performed as a core musician in Tertulia, a chamber music series hosting concerts in boutique venues throughout New York City.  Ms. Castle plays on an 1815 Giovanni Baptista Ceruti violin which has been generously loaned to her by a benefactor. 
 
Ms. Castle’s love and appreciation of nature began through the Nature Center’s pre-school education programs.  She is thrilled therefore to be able to present a 5^th concert to support DPNC, and delighted that 100% of concert ticket proceeds will be directed to the Center’s educational programs. 
 
Since 1946, the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center has provided visitors and the community with experiential science programs that further the Center’s mission:  to inspire and nurture appreciation and scientific understanding of the natural world and foster a personal environmental ethic.  DPNC serves 50,000 people each year with environmental science programs. Made possible through the generosity and commitment of the Denison Society, the Nature Center is a private, not-for-profit organization funded by admission fees, memberships and contributions.  With 10 miles of trails, live animals, and a natural history museum, the Nature Center provides many rewarding recreational and educational opportunities.  More information about the DPNC and its programs can be found at: www.dpnc.org.