“[Our] teachers had a way of communicating with us in ways that held us to standards of maturity and responsibility, while still letting us be kids and learn along the way through experience and gentle encouragement, lots of laughter and community. “
Lily Stern, Class of 2013 at Marin Horizon, remembers her teachers at Marin Horizon fondly. She adds, “[They] nurtured my development as a thoughtful community member, a lifelong learner, and a creative and innovative thinker.”
Indeed, creativity and innovation continue to shine brightly in Lily’s career as a professional musician and artist. She is currently working as an upright and electric bassist, vocalist, composer, producer, and arranger. She recently completed a tour with her NYC based quintet in the Bay Area. “As my debut project as a bandleader, it was an unforgettable experience.”
Currently she has an album in the works and lots of exciting performances coming up. She is also working on a documentary on the life of a living legend in music that will also tell the story of America’s music and gift to the world of jazz.
Lily has even made time to come back to Marin Horizon to teach piano. “It was so profound for me to be back at MHS, a place that had so thoughtfully nurtured my development. I was honored to be asked to teach and it was a joy working with my students and teaching in the ways best for each of their unique learning styles and musical interests.”
Lily’s path to music takes her from the Bay Area to Cuba, New York, and back to California
Lily attended Marin Horizon School from kindergarten through eighth grade, and from here she attended Drew High School in San Francisco and was then accepted to The New School College of Performing Arts in New York City, completing a BA/BFA program.
“In high school I developed my musicianship and creativity playing in classical guitar ensembles, blues and jazz bands, and Afro-Cuban bands. I had been performing for a few years (including at MHS!) and it was a gift to be able to study many new musical styles and expand my ear,” says Lily.
She continues, “In my last year of high school, I went on an exchange program in Cuba where I studied and performed in the music conservatory in Havana, made lifelong friendships and collaborative relationships, and learned about a remarkable arts culture where there was deep reverence and respect for the arts. This experience also showed me the power of music to be a universal language and unifying force. I began performing regularly in the esteemed Jazz Plaza festival in Cuba.
“I studied music, cognitive psych and dance in college. I was so inspired to study the power of music and movement in mental health and bridge my studies, but I eventually made the decision to keep my focus on music.
“My career as a professional musician began in college performing often in New York. I have been incredibly fortunate to study and work with legendary musicians in California and New York. With the music industry being so multi-faceted, I quickly also began composing, and arranging music for my projects and with others. In 2021 and 2022 I released my first two singles as a producer, one of which features Karl Perazzo from Carlos Santana’s band!”
We asked Lily about her time at Marin Horizon…
What is a favorite memory from your experience at Marin Horizon?
“My favorite memories are all outdoor education trips. Kayaking in seventh grade in Tomales Bay, stargazing on the shores of Lake Tahoe in 8th grade, hiking from school up Mount Tamalpais in sixth grade are memories I will cherish forever. Campfires with all the different classes together at Gualala/Redwood Glen are also some of my favorite moments at Marin Horizon.”
Did you have a favorite class or a teacher that especially inspired you?
“My favorite teachers were more than teachers, they were also mentors and to me this is what makes the Marin Horizon community so special. Hilary Levy and Annie Gordon, Stevie Lee, and Joel Booth all greatly impacted my educational experience and nurtured my development as a thoughtful community member, a lifelong learner, and a creative and innovative thinker. I know each of them encouraged me to stay true to myself, invest in my strengths and address weaknesses, and always treat everyone around me with kindness, respect, and consideration. Each of these teachers had a way of communicating with us in ways that held us to standards of maturity and responsibility, while still letting us be kids and learn along the way through experience and gentle encouragement, lots of laughter and community.”
Are there any one or two things that you learned at MHS that stay with you to this day?
“The teachers at Marin Horizon instilled a global citizen mentality and a focus on caring for the earth and considering and living in ways to create a better world for future generations. The importance of lifelong friendships as well, which I can attest to: two of my Marin Horizon classmates are some of my dearest friends now in New York City.”
You can keep up with Lily’s performance dates and record releases on her website LillianCharlottemusic.com.