Music has been an important part of Carol Davidson’s life since childhood. She joined the viola section of the WSO in 1975 and has served as principal viola for many years.  She began her studies on violin with Paul Paradise and Elizabeth Titus in the Needham String Program, followed by the Longy School of Music, NEC Prep and lessons with her favorite teacher, Leo Panasevich, a long-time member of the BSO.  Carol taught violin and viola in the Natick Public Schools and at her private studio before joining The Rivers School Conservatory in 1993. Carol also studied viola with Michelle LaCourse at Boston University and Lisa Whitfield.

 

Carol attended the University of Uppsala (Sweden), Barnard College (BA in music), and Boston University (MM in music education). She was an administrator at the Rivers School in Weston, as well as a teacher of performing music, music history and 20th century European history, specifically the Holocaust, until her retirement in 2019.

 

Playing chamber music is one of her greatest joys. Using bound sets of string quartets and trios owned by her grandfather, Carol carries on the tradition of music making, especially Hausmusik, from her mother’s family in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. She also plays violin in a piano trio, using her great-grandfather's violin that has traveled a long way from Offenbach, Germany.

 

Playing in the WSO has been a passion for the past 49 years.  The joy of making music with such a wonderful group and performing for the enjoyment of all inspired Carol to join the board of directors in 2011 (having served on the board for several years during the 1980s, when the WSO moved to our current home at MassBay).  As general manager, Carol works to increase awareness of the orchestra in Wellesley and surrounding communities, writes grant applications as well as solicits donations from patrons and local businesses. Carol looks forward to continuing the WSO’s collaboration with the Wellesley Public Schools and increasing our connections with other non-profit organizations in the community.