Eugene Cantera (B.M. ‘81) studied music education at Hartt from 1977 to 1981. He
is currently living in Carrollton, Texas.
What have you been up to
since you graduated from Hartt?
I worked at the Hartt
Community Division for over 10 years beginning shortly after I graduated. I've
always enjoyed one-on-one teaching and performing and managed to stay busy
doing both in and around Hartford through the early 90’s.
What are you involved with
right now?
Around 1993, we were in
Dallas visiting friends from Connecticut when I was fortunate enough to see a
sign for the Dallas School of Music and popped in. I had no idea that they had
only recently opened their doors so I jokingly said to my now boss “If I
relocate here will you give me a gig?” He said “yes” but little did he know
that I would show up just a few weeks later ready to work. lol. I became a
Partner just a few years later.
DSM is a private community
music school in north Dallas. Our youngest students are 3 or 4 and our oldest
are in their 80’s - and sometimes they come one after the other! It’s a
wonderful challenge that keeps things interesting and keeps one's teaching
chops sharp! We are also publishers of online music learning materials (dlpmusicbooks.com) that are
used all over the world, and part of my days are spent creating content and
heading up the social media aspect of those related blogs and sites.
I recently returned from an
artist in residency at a private school in Adelaide, Australia. The trip
was incredible and came about almost entirely because of the work we've been
doing online over the past 10 to 12 years. I wrote about how the trip came to
be, what it took to plan, and how it all turned out on Tumblr - the account
it’s far too long but if anyone is interested, here is the link:
What is one of your most
memorable things about your time at Hartt?
The Hartt School Community Division will open its
traditional production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker on Friday,
December 13 at 7:30 PM. As a special treat this season, the Hartt Dance
Department will also offer a Nutty Nutcracker. If you’re a Nutcracker
“regular,” you are in for a comical evening with this off-the-wall version of
the original Nutcracker. The Nutty Nutcracker, will premiere on Sunday,
December 15 at 7:30 PM. Hartt’s Nutcracker production includes two casts from
its Pre-Professional and Children’s Ballet programs, former dancers from the
Hartford Ballet, and surprise cameo appearances by several local celebrities and
dignitaries. In total, the cast numbers more than 100 performers.