Educators Inspire a Path in Music and in Law

“If it hadn’t been for the School of Music scholarships, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have deep internal gratitude for the UofL and I enjoy showing others how they can make a difference through the varying philanthropic vehicles.”

Rosalyn “Roz” Carothers '85, '90 loved classical music from a very young age. A pivotal moment in her musical journey came in the third grade, when a teacher handed her a violin and suggested she join the orchestra. This opportunity instilled a passion that she’s kept her entire life, leading to her joining the Jefferson County Youth Orchestra, spending several summers at Sewanee Music Camp in Tennessee, and training under the late Carol Hughes and Virginia Schneider, who developed the Suzuki Violin Program at the University of Louisville. By high school, Roz was deeply connected with the classical music community in Louisville and was given an opportunity by UofL Professor Peter McHugh to enroll a year early in the UofL School of Music.

Roz has no regrets about skipping her senior year of high school. She recalls, “I felt like Peter took a chance and opened the doorway for me to be among my people and learn from great talent within the School of Music.”

Roz excelled as a student and spent four summers at Meadowmount and one summer at the Aspen Music Festival, proudly representing the UofL School of Music. After Roz graduated with a dual major in violin and viola, she played professionally for the Louisville Orchestra and taught strings in Jefferson County Public Schools. One year later, inspired by a former high school teacher, Roz took a chance at the LSAT. Given her previous studies and talents had been focused on music, she was pleasantly surprised to have scored well, and was quickly admitted to the Brandeis School of Law. Roz recalls, “I put myself through law school while continuing to teach and to play music, an option I know is not available to students today.” 

In her early years of legal practice, Roz volunteered for the Friends of the School of Music and the UofL Alumni Association, ultimately holding leadership positions in both. She has continued to give time and treasure over the years by leading the UofL School of Music Alumni Council and serving on the UofL Estate and Gift Planning Advisory Council.

Roz focuses her practice on estate-planning, probate and trust administration, and asset preservation, which has given her to opportunity to share the joy of philanthropy with clients. In 2020, Roz became a Conn Legacy Society member by adding the UofL School of Music as a beneficiary to her estate plans. If you would like to join Roz in becoming a supporter of the School of Music, contact Mark Kaczmarczyk, director of development, at m.kacz@louisville.edu or 502-852-7108 to learn more.