Fan Club Presidents

Accepting the risk of offending many people, I am going to say that my parents are the Claremont Trio's biggest and most loyal fans. They have travelled to three continents to hear us play in places as exotic as Australia, Italy, and Switzerland, and as seemingly lacking in non-trio attractions as Waco, TX and South Bend, IN. My father in particular has a long history of arguably compulsive listening. He sat through just about every youth orchestra rehearsal we ever played! Both Mom and Dad seem to have a never-ending willingness to enjoy yet another performance of one of our favorite Mendelssohn trios. I know plenty of musicians who get nervous when their parents come to their concerts. But since I've been blessed with the most wonderfully loving and supportive parents ever, it's always a special treat for me when they show up in their favorite spot: the front row.

Mom and Dad were actually Julie's and my first chamber music partners. They are both excellent amateur players: Mom plays violin, piano, and flute; Dad plays viola. When they first heard they were going to have twins they decided the two kids would play violin and cello so they could have a family string quartet. Whoever came first would get the violin. (Yup, they're serious planners!) We played family concerts along with my other sister Amanda for many years, and we still love to read through string quartets for fun when we go home. I feel so lucky to have had such an early and fun introduction to chamber music!

Here's a picture with my parents and my aunt and uncle (also loyal fans!).

Emily, Sam (Dad), Debby (Mom), John (Uncle), Frances (Aunt), Julie