Ellen Faye Mindell

Ellen Mindell Obituary

Ellen Faye Mindell December 11, 1948 - May 24, 2007 It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the death of Ellen Faye Mindell, suddenly, on May 24, 2007. Ellen graduated from Pomona College Music Conservatory and received her teaching credential from Holy Names College. She was a teacher, conductor and chamber music coach for over 30 years. Ellen founded the Young People's Chamber Orchestra (YPCO) in 1983 in Berkeley, CA. Ellen wanted to provide an opportunity beyond school orchestras for young musicians that would challenge them with learning the chamber music repertoire, not readily available in schools. In 1998 Ellen left to bring her unique teaching methods to Conway, AR, and then to Charlotte, NC. In 2005 Ellen became the head of the String Department for the Sun Valley Summer Symphony School of Music in Hailey, ID, where she was at the time of her death. A Memorial was held for Ellen on May 31st. She was much respected and loved in her community of Hailey. Many of her students participated in honoring her by playing various works by Mozart, Teleman and Vivaldi. Her impact on young musicians will be widely felt as her ability to inspire them was unparalleled. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and students. Ellen is survived by her father, Harold Mindell; sisters, Susan, Barbara and Judy and her much loved daughter Miranda. Donations in Ellen's memory may be sent to the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, PO Box 1914, Sun Valley, ID 83353 or the Silverlake Music Conservatory, 3920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jun. 7, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Ellen Mindell

3 Entries

Linda Glaser

June 11, 2007

Ellen and Miranda were friends and neighbors of my family in Berkeley, CA. I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear of Ellen's untimely death. I always admired Ellen's spunk, her generous spirit, and her passion for making the world a better place. Her actions always reflected her values. She often went above and beyond when helping friends. She really gave of herself. You could count on Ellen to help you out if you needed it or to open her doors to you. Helping her friends was something she did without question.
Anyone who knew Ellen knew that she was passionate about music. Plus, she recognized the powerful impact that music could have on young people and she devoted herself to positively affecting children's lives with music. She created high quality music programs and opportunities for youth wherever she lived.
As a parent, raising Miranda on her own, Ellen trusted her instincts and really put her actions where her values were. Ellen's parenting decisions were always based on what would be best for her child. She recognized Miranda's particular gifts and talents and interests and gave her every opportunity to cultivate them and to blossom.
I greatly admire that Ellen built and rebuilt her life and her career at least 3 or 4 times--with each move she made. In each new place she started all over and reestablished herself as a devoted and gifted teacher and musician. In each location, she had a powerful impact on many lives.
I will always remember Ellen's big heart, her generous spirit, her high integrity and her passion for living a life that really made a difference. I am sending much love and heartfelt wishes to Miranda and to Ellen's father.

John Herold

June 11, 2007

We were neighbors and friends of Ellen and Miranda on Parker Street, in Berkeley. Both our daughters played with Miranda, and spend much time in Ellen's home. Each of our girls loved Ellen for her joy and understanding. I, particulary, was struck with her care for people and her desire for fairness in life. She never, ever, was too busy to help a friend. She, naturally, had a wide circle of friends--artists, activists, fun people.

I am proud to have been friends with her, to have shared raising girls, to have laughed together.

I am shocked, saddened with the news of Ellen's death. I, and my wife, Linda, will always remember her broad smile and her sense of humor, her twinkling eyes, and her love of people.

We send our love to Miranda.

John Herold

Mikayla and Mara Murphy/Malakoff

June 7, 2007

Ms. Mindell was my violin teacher in Charlotte, NC for a few years. She touched my heart is ways that I can't explain. I am very saddened by the news of her death. I remember that during my violin lesson she would always tell stories that I will remember for life. She was not just a violin teacher, she was a life teacher.
We still have her bird Ben as a memory of her.

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