Renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter spent a day working with our students and sharing her love of music, and emphasizing to our students that they can pursue any dream or passion they choose, and that when they are willing to immerse themselves in hard work, they will know they have found that passion.
With their voices, recorders, ukuleles, and drums, students and faculty followed Carter’s lead in a blues improvisation and then had the opportunity to ask questions about her music and her life.
Known for exploring the power of music through the voice of the violin, she performs in many styles, including jazz, R&B, Latin, classical, blues, country, pop, and African. A recipient of the MacArthur “genius” award and a Doris Duke Artist Award, Carter is currently attending a residency at the RI Philharmonic. She is also a Grammy Award nominee. Carter started her violin journey at the age of 4, and is deeply inspired by Ella Fitzgerald. Her wide range of experience includes teaching violin in public schools, touring widely, performing at numerous jazz festivals, and making history by being the first nonclassical violinist to play Niccolò Paganini’s Il Cannone (“The Cannon”), the legendary violin built by Giuseppe Guarneri in 1743.
Sophia students were utterly inspired. What an honor to have such quality time with this incredible musician!
