About the Director
Karine Stone is a passionate recitalist, orchestral and chamber musician, teacher, conductor, and arts administrator. She began her studies at age two with Joan Reuning and other exceptional teachers of the Suzuki Method including Hiroko Driver, Lynn Baughman, Doris Preucil, and Shinich Suzuki. This was the beginning of her journey as a performer, teacher, and lifelong learner that she cherishes sharing with audiences and students alike.
As an adult Ms. Stone received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music and continued to learn and grow throughout her rich professional life. Her teachers include Charles Castleman, Camilla Wicks, Ilya Kahler, Zvi Zeitlin, Glen Dicterow, and Lisa Kim. Her principal conducting mentors are Bill Weinert and Markand Thakar.
Ms. Stone’s career as an orchestral musician spans positions in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Syracuse Symphony, the Erie Philharmonic, the Heidelberg Schlossfestspiele Orchester, the Santo Domingo Music Festival Orchestra, the Todi Opera Orchestra, Greater Buffalo Opera, and more. Mrs. Stone has performed frequently at the Skeneateles Chamber Music Festival, the Scranton Bach Festival, Bravo Colorado, and Eastman in Geneva.
Ms. Stone’s interest in conducting began when she was asked to conduct a small community orchestra. She absolutely loved seeing children and adults of all ages experience the joy of performing together. Since then, she has been the Music Director of the Eastman Youth Chamber Soloists, Music Director of the Summer at Eastman String Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Finger Lakes Symphony, Music Director of the New Horizons String Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra, and a conducting fellow of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra.
Because of her dedication to bringing music to everyone, Ms. Stone enjoys arts administration as well. She was the Executive and Artistic Director of Gibbs & Main a non-profit chamber music organization dedicated to commissioning new music, performing in underserved communities, and presenting music to children for twelve years. She designed the Kidsemble Concert Series, innovative and interactive performances for young children and families, and the EuphoNY Series, featuring performances and recordings of living New York State Composers, commissioned by Gibbs & Main.
Ms. Stone has taught thousands of students over thirty plus years, in her private studio, at the Eastman School of Music Pre-College, at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and given masterclasses and coachings throughout the United States. She ardently supports her students in music and in life, toddlers and young children, college students, professional musicians, and adult amateurs alike.
Ms. Stone’s childhood memories of wonderful summers and weekends in Tennessee drew her to the area, and she immediately fell in love with the wonderful people and beautiful setting of Oak Ridge, where she now resides. Through Music At Hillside, she continues the adventure of performing and teaching in ways which are meaningful and valuable to the families of Oak Ridge, and she continues to teach students virtually throughout the United States.
