An active musician for her whole life, Koszalka was a member of the New Orleans and San Antonio Symphony Orchestras

louise

American violinist Louise Koszalka has died at the age of 100. Born on 12 May 1914, she graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1936, and undertook graduate work at the University of Wisconsin.

A dynamic union member, Koszalka performed as a violinist in the New Orleans and San Antonio Symphony Orchestras, and taught stringed instruments in Philadelphia schools for many years. She was a keen chamber musician and played viola in various ensembles.

After moving to Rockland, Maine in 2000 to be with her family, the violinist continued to teach recorder and strings into her 90s. At 100, she still played weekly with her string quartet.

She died peacefully at her home on 31 October 2014.

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