Ruth LaVonne (Clapper) Lindstrom
Raised in the First Brethren Church, she then attended Brethren affiliated Ashland College (now Ashland University) where she was involved with the Ashland College Choir, Ashland College Newspaper (Collegian), campus and local Brethren Church organizations and graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.
She enrolled in Juilliard's Extension Division in the 1947/48 academic year through the 1949/50 academic year. Her coursework included Stage Deportment and Opera Repertoire. She studied voice with Madame Leila Livian. Madame Livian taught voice in New York City but was not affiliated with The Juilliard School. Ruth performed various dramatic and mezzo soprano operatic roles in New York City including title roles in The Medium and The Consul under Gian Carlo Mennotti's personal direction. She turned down an invitation from Mennotti to study overseas because she'd fallen in love and felt her duty was at the side of her successful beau.
Madame Livian's studio accompanist, Arthur Lindstrom (of Kansas) had captured her heart as well as an impressive performing, accompanying and teaching career. Mr. Lindstrom studied in Juilliard's Regular Division and Summer School from the 1946/47 academic year through the 1948/49 academic year. He received a B.S. in Piano on May 27, 1949. Carl Friedberg, Lonny Epstein, Joseph Raieff and Alton Jones were his piano teachers. According to Mr. Lindstrom's record, he was associated with Madame Livian's vocal studio for several years (beginning 1946) as an accompanist and instructor in harmony and ear training.
Ruth and Arthur were married at Louisville First Brethren Church on January 1, 1950. They performed actively and taught from their hard to come by four-room studio apartment on Riverside Drive, New York City, NY. Their elegant apartment housed 2 concert grand pianos, and an organ in a room with a classic white fireplace. One window overlooked the Hudson, another over a park, and their kitchen window looked out over a train yard and turnstile. Ruth gave birth to son, Jon Arthur Lindstrom on July 13, 1954. They had many famous people who visited them, among them Tony Randall who babysat Jon on occasion, and Arthur played for Barbra Streisand in rehearsal before she was "discovered". Arthur told Ruth and others to watch for Barbra, knowing even then what she would become! After Jon reached school-age, the Lindstroms moved to Louisville, Ohio and enrolled him in the first grade at Louisville Grade School. There, Ruth and Arthur took college music teaching positions at both Malone College in Canton, Ohio and Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio and Music Co-Directorship positions at St. Paul's Luthern Church in Alliance, Ohio. Ruth also served as proofreader for The Louisville Herald, then run by her brother, Paul Clapper. Thus began a long and prestigious career of private and college teaching, both highly respected and adored by their students forever more.
Arthur passed away in 1980 following complications from a heart attack. Ruth joined him in eternity on December 15, 1999 after several years of failing health. Imagine the heavenly music! I hope others will send me their own fond recollections, additions, corrections, etc. If you are a former student interested in performing in a tribute concert, please contact me via e-mail at voiceteacher@hotmail.com.
Eternally Grateful,
Shari Lavonne (Clapper) Pachinger
Niece of Ruth Lindstrom