Remembering Rachel D'Avino '07; Supporting Newtown Through Music

Matthew Russo (left) conducts the Hartt Trombone Ensemble Monday in a holiday concert benefiting the United Way's "Sandy Hook School Support Fund."

Rachel D'Avino '07

Members of the University community came together Monday for a benefit concert to support families affected by the shooting rampage in Newtown, as funeral arrangements were announced for University alumna Rachel D'Avino '07, one of the victims of the attack.

Please Note: The University has created a "Supporting Sandy Hook" web page that will be regularly updated with information about the members of the University community who were victims of the tragedy, ways that you can support the Newtown community, and more. (In addition to D'Avino, the shooting victims included Ana Marquez-Greene, the six-year-old daughter of University alumni Nelba Marquez '97 and Jimmy Greene '97). To see the page, go to www.hartford.edu/newtown.

Remembering Rachel D'Avino '07

A funeral service for Rachel D'Avino '07 will be held on Friday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity on East Street in Bethlehem, Conn. Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home located at 2 School St. in Woodbury, Conn.

D'Avino, 29, graduated from the University of Hartford in 2007 with a BA in psychology. The behavioral therapist was one of the six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School who lost their lives in Friday’s attack.

Police have told D'Avino’s family that she died heroically, while trying to shield children from shooter Adam Lanza.

After receiving her bachelor's degree from the University of Hartford, D'Avino went on to earn a master's degree from Post University, and was working toward a doctorate at the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford. D'Avino was passionate about working with children with autism, and she recently completed her final requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. D'Avino’s boyfriend was planning to propose to her on Christmas Eve.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Autism Speaks, 1 East 33rd Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10016.

On Tuesday morning, the Psychology Department in the College of Arts and Sciences paid tribute to D'Avino at its  end-of-semester pancake breakfast. The memorial tribute included a moment of silence and remembrances by members of the Psychology Department.

Read D’Avino’s obituary, and leave online condolences.


Community Comes Together for Benefit Concert

On Monday evening, members of the University community came together in Millard Auditorium for a benefit concert by the Hartt Trombone Ensemble. Approximately $1,100 was raised for the United Way’s "Sandy Hook School Support Fund."

The concert was the idea of Matthew Russo, a doctoral student and instructor at The Hartt School, and director of the Hartt Trombone Ensemble. Each year, the ensemble goes out and plays holiday music at malls, shopping centers, and other locations in the community. When Russo heard about the tragic events in Newtown, he thought it would be nice to have the ensemble’s annual caroling take place on campus, and use it as an opportunity to bring the community together.

“Music has this wonderful way of bringing joy into the world, even during difficult times. As musicians, this is something we need to do,” Russo said. “Music brings people together. It always has, and I believe it always will.”

For information on how you can help support those affected by the Newtown tragedy, visit the Center for Community Service's  “Gift of Service” page. Check the links on the lower left side of the page, under the heading “Sandy Hook Support.”