Helen Armstrong (violinist)
Helen Armstrong | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 16, 1943 |
| Died | April 28, 2006 (aged 63) |
| Education | Juilliard School |
| Occupation | Violinist |
| Spouses | |
| Children | Debbie Howser & David Cohen |
Helen Armstrong (March 16, 1943 – April 28, 2006) was the founder and
She developed ACC’s reputation by building a roster of more than 100 world-renowned-artists, many whom contributed to the education programs. Her dedication, artistry and love of music and musicians inspired all those who met her and performed with her, including
Early life
Armstrong was born in Rockford, Illinois, on March 16, 1943, to Dr. Robert Bruce and Hannah Armstrong. She first held a violin at the age of 3, with her mother as her teacher.[2] She arrived in New York City, during which time she studied under Ivan Galamian and Dorothy DeLay. She eventually attended the Juilliard School in pursuit of a solo career.
She made her Lincoln Center debut in 1976 and went on to perform with orchestras such as the Boston Pops, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the New Polish Philharmonic, and the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Career
Armstrong’s career as an international virtuoso violinist was interrupted by the long illness and eventual death of her first husband, Alan Cohen. Armstrong turned her talents largely towards achieving the mission of ACC while occasionally performing on the international stage. During the past 22 years, her focus had been concert performances in elegant private homes in Greenwich, in other venues in Washington, D.C., and New Milford, as well as at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In addition, she built a sterling reputation as a teacher by committing the talents of top artists to her educational mission.
Armstrong, who was a prizewinner in the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition in Switzerland and has received awards from the Society of American Musicians and Outstanding Artists of
Late in her life, Bruce Swedien, convinced her to join him in producing a popular music recording. Although they were able to produce early cuts of the recording, she died before it could be completed.
Helen died on April 28, 2006, in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the age of 63 [3]
Personal life
Armstrong was widowed by her first husband, Alan Cohen in 1978. They had two children together: daughter Debbie Howser and son David Cohen.[3] She married investment banker Ajit Hutheesing, the nephew of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, in 1996.[4] Hutheesing, was a member of the Nehru-Gandhi political family and died on 8 December 2017.[5]
References
- New York Times, February 25, 1990.
- New York Times, July 23, 2000.
- ^ New York Times, May 5, 2006.
- New York Times, November 24, 1996.
- ^ "Obituary: Ajit Hutheesing". Greenwich Time. December 17, 2017. Archived from the original on February 19, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
Photos
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Helen Armstrong at age 3 -
Helen Armstrong -
Helen Armstrong and her mother Hannah -
Parents: Hannah and Robert Bruce Armstrong -
Helen & Alan Cohen (1965) -
Helen Armstrong with husband Alan Cohen and daughter Debbie Howser (1967) -
Helen Armstrong and Skitch Henderson -
Helen Armstrong -
Helen & Ajit's Wedding in India (1996) -
Helen Armstrong -
Kathie Lee Gifford - Helen Armstrong - Debbie Howser -
Helen Armstrong performing in 2006
External links
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| National | |
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