Villa students and professors to perform at ceremony on October 8.
What does Linda Lombardo Appleby, adjunct professor in Villa Maria College’s Music Department, have in common with Big Wheelie, Ani DiFranco, Jo Ann Falleta, Spyro Gyra and Grover Washington, Jr.? On Thursday, October 8, Lombardo Appleby will be inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, just as they and others who have made a significant impact on the music scene locally, nationally and internationally have been.
Lombardo Appleby is being inducted for her contributions as a music educator who has taught thousands of students – mostly in the Buffalo Public School System – over a career that spanned 40 years. Three years ago, she came out of retirement to join the Villa staff, where she directs the gospel choir and choral ensemble.
Lombardo Appleby has assembled an alumni choir, consisting of present and former students – including eight current Villa Maria College students – who will perform with her during the induction ceremony at The Cove in Depew. They will be accompanied by several of Lombardo Appleby’s former student musicians (including current Villa student, Alex Overton) and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee and Villa adjunct professor, Jerry Livingston.
“Linda is an amazing instructor who goes above and beyond to get the very best from her students,” says Anthony Casuccio, Assistant Professor in Villa’s Music Industry Program and President of the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. “She truly gives her students an amazing experience, and is very deserving of induction into the Hall.”
“The quality of musicians in Western New York is ‘crazy good,’ and I am very honored to be considered deserving of this induction,” says Lombardo Appleby. “I have always considered myself an educator first, and I take such pride at seeing the growth that occurs with my students from the beginning through to concert time. The faculty here at Villa is very supportive, and understands the important role of music in all our lives. I love teaching here!”
Lombardo Appleby is a native of Jamestown, New York. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Rosary Hill College (now Daemen College) and her Master’s degree in Science and Student Personnel Administration from Buffalo State College. She lives in Buffalo.
