Lakewood Legacies – Abby Wimbiscus Black

My early music memories in Lakewood City Schools include singing in Mrs. Hildebrandt’s McKinley Elementary School choir, and being so excited to start playing the violin in 5th grade orchestra. I had played piano prior to starting the violin, but was so thrilled to begin learning an instrument with friends in school.

During my years at Lakewood High School, I participated in the Philharmonic, Symphonic, and Chamber Orchestras, as well as pit orchestras, the Lakewood Project, and the Four Seasons String Quartet. After graduating from Lakewood High School in 2011, I went on to earn my Bachelor of Music Education from Otterbein University in 2015. In college, I spent my summers touring Europe as principal second violin and staff member with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Youth Symphony Orchestra. I have taught in Delaware City Schools (just north of Columbus) for the past six years, and have enjoyed the distinct pleasure of teaching hundreds of my favorite musicians every day in school! I teach 5th-8th grade orchestras, Suzuki violin lessons, assist with the high school orchestras, and run our middle school honor orchestra. Having Dr. Hankins and the Lakewood Project tour and clinic with our Dempsey Middle School orchestras in 2017 was a huge highlight of my teaching years.

Aside from teaching, I enjoy performing with the Central Ohio Symphony and making music with my partner, Korey Black, who is a band teacher in the area. Korey and I were married in New Orleans in 2018. We made sure that music was a huge part of our wedding, from playing along with our Second Line band in NOLA to having a kazoo entrance to our reception at the Music Settlement’s Bop Stop in Cleveland. Now that we are homeowners in Delaware, we are known to have driveway concerts and invite our neighbors to camp out and enjoy! It is so great to be married to someone who shares my love of music.

Abby’s Teacher Twitter https://twitter.com/AWimbiscusBlack