The members of The Neopolitan Trio share a unique blending of personal and musical friendship. Flutist Carolyn Cline Corbett initially played with Pianist Sondra Hittle at Rocky Mountain Christian Church in Niwot, Colorado. They both performed for the Music Ministry in numerous programs and recording sessions at Eagles Nest Recording Studios in the Colorado Rockies.
In 2004, Carolyn brought Soprano Suzanne Romero into the ensemble. Carolyn and Suzanne’s paths crossed frequently while walking their dogs. They soon discovered that they shared much more than their love for dogs: they lived in the same neighborhood, only a few blocks apart; they were both musicians; both had studied music at University of Michigan and the two are only a few days apart of being the very same age. (They won’t say what that is!)
The Neopolitan Trio’s distinct repertoire includes a variety of flavors of music, including classical music, Irish, hymns/spirituals, show tunes, jazz & much more.
The Neopolitan Trio takes their name from the three-colored ice cream representing the tri-color heads of hair they each feature.
Flutist Carolyn Cline Corbett (The Brunette)
A Cum Laude Flute Performance graduate from Wichita State University’s Music College of Fine Arts in Kansas. Carolyn has continued her studies at Wichita State University, University of Michigan, Colorado University and Carnegie Melon University. Scholarships included academic, Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for women and the Natfger Fulbright scholarship. Other teachers have included Jeane-Pierre Rampal, James Galway, Frances Shelly, Jeanne Baxtresser and Jimmy Walker. In Addition, Carolyn studied conducting with Dr. Jay Decker, the Director of the Wichita Symphony and Director of Orchestras at WSU. She has conducted and arranged for Flute Choirs in Colorado for twenty-five years. Her student flute choir “The CCC Flute Choir” will perform their “25th Anniversary Celebration Concert” at Six Flags Elitch Gardens in Denver on May 15th, 2005. Professional services and performances include the ALRY Flute Choir, the Denver Symphony, Boulder Concert Band, Jefferson Symphony, Westminster Symphony, Flute Trio Ensemble Des Amis, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, a flute clinician and adjudicator, and a seventeen-time guest artist with the internationally televised "Hour of Power" Orchestra at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Carolyn’s newly published book is endorsed by Jeanne Baxtresser, the retired Principal Flutist of the New York Philharmonic. Carolyn maintains an extensive private studio. Carolyn’s performing and passion for the flute resounds through her playing, conducting and teaching. Carolyn lives in Westminster with her husband, Phil, and their two Golden Retrievers. Carolyn’s other love in life is dog training and showing her two show dogs in competitive obedience and agility trials.
Pianist Sondra Hittle (The Redhead)
Sondra Hittle was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and began playing piano at age seven under the teaching of Shirley Brockman. She attended the University of Northern Colorado where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. While at UNC she studied piano with Dan Graham and then later continued at the University of Colorado with Larry Graham.
Over the years, Sondra has had many opportunities to share music at the piano. She has played in several recitals for the American Music Society in Colorado Springs and has been the pianist for worship services and special music programs at Rocky Mountain Christian Church in Niwot, Colorado. She was also a finalist at the Rocky Mountain States Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs in the year 2000. In addition, Sondra had the privilege to record a CD entitled A Gift of Music, a collection of classical piano solos, which is available upon request.
Sondra lives in Louisville, Colorado and is married to Randy Hittle. Together they have three children, Paul, Amy and Joe and one beloved Calico cat.
Soprano Suzanne Romero (The Blonde)
A Summa Cum Laude vocal performance graduate from the University of Denver, Suzanne continued her private studies at the University of Michigan and University of Colorado. She has appeared professionally as a guest soloist at several colleges and musical organizations in Colorado and other states, including the Valley Symphony Orchestra, Peninsula United Music Association in Gig Harbor, Washington, Stanley Hotel Artist Series in Estes Park, Western State College, Aspinal Wilson Center, Gunnison Arts Center, Crested Butte Center for the Arts, and Magic Eye Theater in Montrose. Her solo and/or choral roles in the Denver Metro area have been presented by the Northland Fine Arts Association, Colorado Choir, Opera Colorado, Colorado Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Dickens Dinner Theatre, Empire Lyric Players, Longmont Theatre Company, Caravan Players and Theater in the Park. In addition to performing numerous classical art songs, operatic and oratorio solos, her dramatic roles on stage include the leads in “Oklahoma,” “Scrooge,” “South Pacific,” Menotti’s “Help! Help! the Globolinks,” Gondoliers,” “H.M.S. Pinafore,” Pirates of Penzance,” “Mikado,” “Patience,” “Man of La Mancha,” “A Grand Night For Singing,” “My Fair Lady,” “1776” and “Cole”. Suzanne lives in Westminster with her husband, Mike, and their Flat-coated Retriever and Black & Tan Coon Hound. An avid dog lover, her other life’s passion is training and competing with her two show dogs in obedience and agility trials.
