Croft was a revered teacher at the Royal College of Music
Violinist Dona Lee Croft has died. Throughout her career, Croft was a performing violinist, distinguished teacher, and mentor.
Croft, whose mother Dorothy Croft was also a violinist, grew up Odessa, Texas. She moved to Europe to study with Hungarian pedagogue Béla Katona and Nathan Milstein. She also worked with Ivan Galamian, Sasha Lasserson and Beno Rabinof.
As a performer, she played as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the UK, Europe, Mexico and the US, including in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
She was a professor at London’s Royal College of Music and also had associations with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and the European String Teachers Association (ESTA).
In 1991 she was awarded the title of HonRCM by the then President of the Royal College of Music, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
In a social media post, ESTA said:
’Croft inspired generations of violinists and enriched the lives of countless musicians around the world... Throughout her career, she carried this remarkable musical heritage forward with artistry, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to her students.
’Professor Croft’s passing is a profound loss to the international string community. Her legacy will live on through the many students, colleagues, and friends whose lives she touched with her musicianship, wisdom, generosity, and unwavering commitment to excellence.’
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