Pops, Patriots, & Fireworks

Lyrico-spinto soprano Carami Hilaire, praised for her “marvelous sound, rich and luscious”, (David Schengold, Opera News 2017) is poised to become an international contender in Verismo repertoire. 

In the fall of 2018 she joined the Metropolitan Opera Guild in excerpts from Tosca and sang her first Musetta in La Boheme with ReginaOpera. Carami also sang the title role in Aida, where critics noted that “Hilaire’s intimate phrasing floated over the tumult of the strings, and in the moments where her voice soared, she earned the applause which nearly brought the show to a stop.” (Logan Martel, OperaWire 2018). 2019 engagements include a recital sponsored by the Wagner Society of New York, the title role in Suor Angelica with Si Parla Si Canta, and a concert with Opera Memphis. In 2020 she sung with Symphony of the Mountains in Mechem’s Song of the Slave.

Ms. Hilaire’s latest role has been Alice in Alice in the Pandemic with White Snake Opera Projects. Joanne Syndey Lessner of Opera News remarked: “With her rich, expressive soprano and intent, quiet listening, Carami Hilaire’s Alice communicated all the anguish, anxiety and humanity of a woman trying to save her patients, her mother and, ultimately, herself”.

Ms. Hilaire received several encouragement awards from the Wagner Society of New York and sang throughout Switzerland with the Internationale Opernwerkstatt. She is a Hans Gabor Belvedere competition qualifier, Julian Autrey Foundation grant winner, and winner of the Premiere Opera International Vocal Competition Aprile Millo award. 

The uniquely soulful soprano hails from Brooklyn and has appeared with Teatro Nuovo, Loft Opera, New Jersey Verismo Opera, Sarasota Opera, Saratoga Opera. In 2021 she will sing the role of Lady Macbeth with Knoxville Opera.

Curt Ebersole has served as the Conductor and Music Director (John P. Paynter Memorial Chair) of the Westchester Symphonic Winds since 2008, fostering its exponential growth over the past 14 years. He retired from Northern Valley Regional High School (Old Tappan, NJ) in 2013 after serving as Director of Instrumental Music for 31 years. His ensembles were honored with consistent critical accolades, and his instrumental Prism Concerts became a local rite of spring. He now serves on the faculty at The Masters School, in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Jane Rechtman Faculty Chair), where he teaches String Ensemble, Chamber Music, and Public Speaking. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Conducting from Northwestern University, and a Master’s degree in clarinet performance from SUNY Purchase, where he studied with Ben Armato. 

Maestro Ebersole has served as a guest conductor and clinician for numerous county, regional, all-state, and adult community ensembles around the world, including performances at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Symphony Space, with the U.S. Army Field Band, along with performances in Las Vegas, South Korea, and Australia. He is the founding coordinator of the Music Educators of Bergen County Wind Conducting Symposium. He has served as a clinician at the Midwest Clinic, Temple University, Florida Music Educators Association, and presented his TED Talk, “Framing Failure,” at TEDxOneonta in 2017. His performance achievements include solo and ensemble performances as both a clarinetist and basset hornist, including a recent recording with the West Point Band. 

To learn more about Curt Ebersole, please visit jce.ebernet.biz. 

Westchester Symphonic Winds — an adult, community-based, 60-piece wind and percussion ensemble — celebrates its 35^th season in 2022 – 23. The ensemble strives to promote music in our area, instill pride in our nation and heritage, provide opportunities for personal expression and growth within its membership, and nurture the love of music by offering an exceptional musical experience for people of all ages.  

The ensemble was founded by Rachel Eckhaus, Robert LaPorta, and the group’s first conductor, James D. Wayne, who conducted the band from 1988 – 2004. Dr. Luis Fernando Jimenez was conductor from 2005 – 08. Curt Ebersole was invited to conduct the 20^th Anniversary Gala Concert in 2008, and was subsequently invited to stay on permanently as Conductor and Music Director. Since 2008, guest conductors and clinicians have included Dr. Mallory Thompson, Dr. John Lynch, Dr. Tom McCauley, Dr. Shelley Axelson, Dr. Travis Cross, Joseph Greco, among many others. 

Over the years, the ensemble has given benefit concerts for many groups, including the Food Bank for Westchester, Student Assistance Services, Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Irvington Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Rotary Club of Briarcliff Manor, Family Services of Westchester, Yonkers Arts Education, and others.  

The ensemble made its New York City debut at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in March of 2010, its national debut at the 2012 Association of Concert Bands National Convention, and this event marks its ninth performance at Caramoor. The organization is an Ensemble-in-Residence at the historic Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, New York, and rehearses there on Monday evenings from September through June.  

To learn more about the Westchester Symphonic Winds, please visit their website.