My grandfather's name was Clarence Ashton Grimes and he graduated from Harvard. He went on to become a well loved teacher at Hamden High School in Hamden CT. He taught languages as well as band and orchestra. My grandmother was a violinist who also played viola and cello. Their marriage was founded on music. And their love for music was passed on to their 3 children, my mother, Judy Link, my aunt Caroline Grimes, and my aunt Patty Vas Dias.
How I started playing the flute in the 5th grade is a funny story. I was in line to sign up for an instrument and couldn't remember what instrument my Aunt Caroline played. Not remembering whether it was a flute or clarinet I changed my mind numerous times before I got to the front and decided on Flute. It was a good choice as that is what my Aunt did play. I played flute all through High School and was accepted at University of Bridgeport's Youth Orchestra.
My grandfather used to drive to Monroe, CT. from Hamden, CT. to pick me up every Friday afternoon. I would have a delicious meal cooked by my grandmother followed by duets and practicing of my lesson. Then after sleeping over my grandfather and I would practice again, before heading off to my flute lesson.
My grandparents loved the opera, and my grandfather would get the score at the Yale library and sit me down with it so that i would follow along with the music when I was still a child.
Starting at the age of 6 I began to write poetry to give my family members. I also tried my hand at writing flute parts and new singing parts to songs.
For many years as an adult I taught children's choir, wrote puppet shows, directed and wrote children's performances loving every minute of it.
When I met my husband RC Andrews he turned me on to Garage Band. I started out adding parts to RC Andrews songs either singing or playing my flute. But as time went on I became more savvy using Garage Band and started writing my own songs. Robert would often give me original guitar parts and I would take it from there.
All of this formed who I am now and contributed to my musical ability.
Now I am very pleased that a good friend Jim Bouchard has mastered my first album.
Please enjoy my songs.
Karen
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