Meet the
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CECILIA BLACKWELL
Co-founder and Creative Director
Cecilia is a flute and piano teacher, freelance performer, and composer residing in central Pennsylvania. While studying flute performance at The Catholic University of America, she felt a call to give her desire of becoming an orchestral flutist over to the Lord, and her life has never been the same since. God used her last two years of collegiate studies to broaden her focus to teaching privately, composing music, studying body mapping and Alexander technique, and adding a minor in theology and religious studies. She recently earned her masters in flute performance at Penn State University, and used her time during her masters to focus on pedagogical studies. When she is not teaching, composing, collaborating with other musicians, or working for The Hildegard Collective, she can be found baking allergen-free treats, reading a good book, or spending time with her husband, family, and friends.
Artist Statement
From early on in my childhood, a consistent theme that has played out in my life is being drawn toward beauty; and in turn, being drawn toward God through beauty. God as True Beauty has shaped my life at every turn, and it is my commitment and devotion to True Beauty that drives everything I do. My artistry is, at its core, deeply reflective of God as True Beauty, and I desire for the world to know Him better through the music I write, the students I teach, and every note that I play.
Cecilia Leskowicz, Co-founder and Creative Director of The Hildegard Collective
TARA MCDERMOTT
Co-founder and Director of Operations
Tara is an operatic soprano from Illinois, but she is currently based in Dublin, Ireland! She began singing at the age of 8 – first in church choirs, which quickly expanded to include as many musical groups as her schedule would allow. After facing 2 years of crippling anxiety and panic attacks which inhibited her performing, she invited God into her musical journey more concretely than ever before. He completely transformed her life as a musician. She went on to earn a bachelor of music degree in vocal performance from The Catholic University of America, and a master’s degree in musicology from University College Dublin. Outside of her musical endeavors, she works in Catholic radio, enjoys reading, exercising, and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Artist Statement
My philosophy of music has been simple and consistent: I believe that music should be a powerful channel of the Lord’s great love and mercy. As musicians, we are called to the imitation of Christ in a unique way- we are called to imitate the Divine Creator, to imbue the world with truth, beauty, and goodness through our art. I myself have personally experienced God working through music to touch and heal my heart. I can truly think of no greater honor than to play a small part in the transmission of His Sacred Heart to the world through the gift of music.
Tara McDermott, Co-founder and Director of Operations for The Hildegard Collective