Vera Elfrieda Davies, 24, an accomplished violinist and student at the Berklee College of Music, died April 29, 2009 in Boston. She was the daughter of Beatrix Davies, of New York City, and Anthony Davies of New Paltz. Vera was born September 12, 1984 in Sharon CT and grew up in Salt Point, NY. She attended Dutchess Day School in Millbrook and the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT. Vera was in the Advanced Jazz Ensemble at Hotchkiss, and played lacrosse. She graduated from Hotchkiss in 2003.
The violin was an important part of Vera’s life from the age of seven when she began lessons. She was a member of the College-Youth Symphony of SUNY New Paltz for four years, part of that time as concertmaster. She won the Virtuoso in Progress Competition twice and performed as a soloist with the CYS in 1999 and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic in 2000. She also won the West Point Young Artist’s Competition and performed a concerto with the West Point Band in 2001. One reviewer remarked that Vera “played the violin like she was born with it.”
She shared her music many times at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lithgow (Millbrook), often performing with her sister, who is a cellist.
In recent years, Vera grew more interested in jazz improvisation, blue grass style, multi-track recording and composition. She was in a jazz ensemble at the Berklee College of Music.
Vera also had a special way with children. She was much loved for her kind and gentle nature, and for her outgoing personality, energy and spunk.
In addition to her parents, Vera is survived by a sister, Bianca-Sabine of Boston, a brother, Matthäus, of New York City, and grandmothers Uta Flickinger of Germany and Loretta Davies of Florida.
A service of remembrance will be held Saturday morning, May 9, at 11:00AM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 692 Deep Hollow Rd., Millbrook, NY.
Donations in Vera’s memory can be made to the St. Thomas Choir School, 202 W. 58th, New York City, New York, 10019, where her younger brother is a student.