The Austin Arts Hall of Fame: Felicity Coltman
Pianist, teacher, founder of Austin Chamber Music Center
Born in South Africa, Coltman came to Austin in 1968, when her husband Peter accepted a job teaching architecture at the University of Texas. After performing and teaching privately for a number of years, she saw a need to give young musicians -- including her own children -- more opportunities to perform in small ensembles. So, in 1981, she organized 60 students into chamber music groups. She and three other teachers prepared the students for concerts that summer, and thus the idea of an annual summer workshop was born.
The organization that developed from that simple idea has become a major player in Austin's classical music scene, presenting a festival/workshop each summer, producing a series of "Intimate Concerts" throughout the year, and working in the schools to engage thousands of young people in the process of music-making.
According to Coltman, "the importance of involving young people in chamber music can't be overrated. It gives children such an opportunity to develop their musicianship and life skills as well. We really strive to make the experience something that is enriching, not competitive. It's something people can continue to pursue -- we're really training people to keep music in their lives."
-- Randy Harriman
 Ernest & Sarah Butler |
 Barbara Carson |
 Felicity Coltman |
 Chris Cowden |
 Karen Kuykendall |
 Jim Swift |
 Boyd Vance |
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