The Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra will dedicate an upcoming concert to the memory of Caroline Yoshimoto, an alumna of the Bienen School of Music who passed away on February 26, 2015. The concert will take place Saturday, March 14, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. in Lutkin Hall. Admission is free.

Caroline Yoshimoto began studying violin at the age of 7 and performed at the Young Steinway Concert Series at age 17. She went on to receive her BM (09) and MM (G10) degrees in violin performance from the Bienen School of Music, studying with professors Roland and Almita Vamos. She was a finalist for the Northwestern Concerto Competition, and was co-concertmaster for the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra.

Almita Vamos said that Caroline (or Chisa, as she was known to her family and friends) was intelligent and talented, and that her music making was heartfelt and expressed the kind of person she was.

"Everyone that knew Caroline agrees that she was the sweetest and kindest human being. In my many years of teaching her I cannot think of anything I could say that is not positive and loving towards her, said Almita. Roland and I will be among many who loved and will miss Caroline. Having her in our lives for the time that we had was a real gift and her memory will have a positive impact on our lives.;

Caroline taught violin and viola to young children through the SpeakMusic Conservatory in Highland Park, New Jersey, offering lessons in both English and Japanese. She had recently passed the comprehensive audition for the Suzuki Teaching Certificate and hoped to continue the certification process.

“It was Caroline's desire to teach and bring her gifts as a gifted administrator to having a school that would devote itself to students who could not afford extra music lessons.  She was always looking for a way to give,” said Almita.

Caroline was in her final semester of the doctoral program at the Mason Gross School of Arts, Rutgers University, at the time of her death.

Led by conductor Victor Yampolsky, the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra will perform works by Purcell, Bach, Mozart, and Hindemith at the March 14 concert in Caroline’s honor. 

Photo by Todd Rosenberg