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Time for another Teaching Artist Q&A! We had such fun interviewing visual artist Karen Light the other week – and we think you enjoyed it, too – so now we present…Carol Weston, musician and educator extroardinaire!

UG: What is your first memory of deeply enjoying your chosen art form, or knowing that it wasn’t just a hobby?

Carol: As an adult, I learned to play the guitar so I could sing, and I started teaching guitar at the Old Town School of Folk Music. I then became part of a trio that performed for schools and other children’s events and I was hooked.

Why are you particularly interested in working with children? What makes this inspirational for you?

I love to work with children. They are so responsive to music and singing and I can tell it really touches something in them. They love to play some of the little instruments I bring for them and they love to strum on my guitar. Their energy gives me energy and purpose.

If you could give one piece of advice to a young music student, what would it be?

Follow your passion. Do what you love. Doors will open up for you that you didn’t even know about.

If you were awarded a grant that would take you anywhere in the world to study the art of another culture, where would you go and why?

I would love to go to Africa. I love the chants, the vibrations, the dances and the singing and would love to learn more about that. I have been privileged to work with many African-American children who have shared their enthusiasm [for music], and it would be so interesting to learn more about African cultures and music.

Do you have one New Year’s Resolution you’d be willing to share?

New Year’s Resolution: to learn more songs; to see as many musical performances as I can; have fun and be in touch with friends. Be sure to do at least one act of kindness every day. Breathe deeply.