This month, “Meet a Senior’s” Anita Hickey talked to Dorothy Bottalico, a classical pianist who has been active in Concord’s performing arts community.
How did music play a part in your life as a child?
At the age of 6 I was taking both dancing and piano lessons. (I was) 9 at the beginning of the Great Depression. My mother . . . selected piano for me because it was something that she felt I could enjoy throughout my life.
While in college did you continue to study piano?
I (studied) piano while attending Lasell College in Boston. My major was in medical technology with a minor in piano. It was through the Sherwood Music School of Chicago that I received my teaching certificate.
What part did your piano play in choosing a career in music?
My piano professor arranged an audition with the Boston Pops. The day of my audition I sat down at one of the twin grand pianos. Seated at the other piano was none other than conductor Arthur Fiedler. . . . Once the music ended, Mr. Fiedler said, “What do you think . . . would you like to do this?” My response was, “I don’t think so!”
Name a few of your favorite composers:
Felix Mendelssohn, Claude Debussy, Aaron Copland, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and the fabulous George Gershwin. There are not many I don’t enjoy listening to. However, I’m not crazy about New Age music.
Do you teach both young children and adults?
I teach both age groups. . . . Teaching is what I was meant to do. How many people can say they love to go to work each day? I can!
What are your interests and hobbies?
In the past I was on the board of the Community Players, president of the Concord Music Club, president of the New Hampshire Lasell College Club, and was a board member of the former Centennial Home.
For several years I was a swimming instructor for the Girls Scouts day camp at Bear Brook State Park. I was also program director for 13 years at a summer camp in Maine.
Now, I spend my leisure time reading, walking and swimming when possible.
