Hilary Hawke

Music Specialist

Hilary joined CHP as a music specialist in 2008.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and pursued a Music Therapy concentration at the University of Georgia.  She is currently enrolled in the Masters of Music and Music Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University.  She is a New York State and New York City certified teacher and is the banjo instructor at Jalopy Theatre and School of Music. 

Hilary grew up as a clarinet/guitar player and songwriter in upstate NY and learned to play banjo from listening to Earl Scruggs and Pete Seeger on NPR.   She taught music to orphaned children in Puebla, Mexico before moving to the NYC in 2004 on a grant from VH1 Save the Music to start music programs in two Brooklyn public schools which never had band programs.  Upon completion, Hilary became a music activities specialist in Jersey City private preschools and daycares playing the folk music and traditional banjo that is near and dear to her heart.  She has recorded two of her own original albums and played banjo on many albums for children, as well as for other bands and songwriters. She performs regularly in Brooklyn and Manhattan with 4 great bands: Hilary Hawke and the Flipsides, M Shanghai Stringband, Hawke & Owl, and the Maybelles.  She will be finishing her newest recording in December and hopes to work on a children's album this year as well!

Which talent would you most want?  Dancing, clogging.

What is your most treasured possession?  My espresso machine

What is your most noticeable characteristic?  Sweet, friendly, funny, great smile, intelligence…modesty!

Greatest achievement?  Entertaining and singing for friends and family.

Who are your favorite heroes or heroines?  Kurt Vonnegut and Pete Seeger, great minds and free thinkers.