Greenwood Interviews

Featured Alum: Ken Freed

Board member Susan Crawford recently caught up with Ken Freed.

When did you first go to Greenwood?

I first went to Greenwood when I was 16, with a group of other Juilliard Pre-College violin students. My violin teacher, Louise Behrend, had known Bunny Little for a long time and had a history of sending kids to Greenwood. I loved it.

I became really good friends with the other campers. I thought it was so beautiful; I really liked the semi-academic feel of the place, and the freedom we had—it wasn't very regimented.

The next summer I was a junior counselor, then later a counselor—and now I've slowly worked my way up the ranks to be conductor at Little Camp (as of two years ago). I've just gone back year after year.

Why did you focus on the younger camp?

At heart I'm about 9 years old.

Do your kids play instruments?

Our son Zachary, who plays the oboe, went to Greenwood. (Zachary, you need to practice!) He was very happy. Our daughter Eleanor (Nellie) plays the violin and loves Greenwood. She was sobbing at the end of camp. All three of my kids understand what Greenwood is—they all have friends they've been playing with since they were babies.

What's changed over the years at Greenwood?

It's becoming clear that people I went to camp with are now sending their kids there, or are on the board—we're it, we're the faculty! Other people are no longer deciding our fate! The apprenticeship is over and we've come of age. At Little Camp, the faculty is like a family; we're all growing together.

We're all very loyal to Sally Bagg, and for good reason—she's magnanimous and wonderful and flexible and open. It's not work.

Physically, the New Barn is a great change. It's unbelievable. It makes rehearsing a joy. It enhances everything we do, and lifts us up on a cloud! The acoustics are beautiful, and it's a gorgeous building to look at. Whenever I walk in there I feel that what we're doing at Greenwood is precious.

And Woody's is now the Cummington Creamery. That's a huge change.

It's great to know what you love, and to do what you love—that attitude hasn't changed at Greenwood. My job is to transfer some of my passion for music to the kids, and I think they get it.

What kinds of kids go to Little Camp?

All kinds of kids. It's great to have a wide variety of ages and experience.

When should kids start playing instruments?

It really varies. For girls, maybe 4–5, boys 5–6. I started when I was 6. Girls are quicker and more focused. I think it's a good idea for boys to have dancing lessons when they're little rather than start playing right away—they need to feel the rhythm.

What are you doing during the year these days?

I'm playing viola in the Minnesota Orchestra. I also conduct a bunch of community orchestras, and I want to spend more time conducting in the future. Any idiot can be a conductor, so why not me?

And I'm starting a childrens' music education company.

Tell us about Wendy Haverstock.

I met her that first summer at Greenwood, when I was 16. She played third oboe. We were friends. We both kept coming back summer after summer, comparing notes about the rotten people we were going out with during the school year. We've been married for 13 years now, and our friendship—which is the foundation of our marriage—was forged at Greenwood.

It seems like many lifetimes ago that we were both campers, but in a way it isn't. For us, Greenwood is a touchstone for what is good and true and beautiful. It's really about playing with all your heart. We both love returning to Greenwood.