Sona Haydon, a longtime lecturer in piano for the Department of Music in Arts & Sciences, died of complications from leukemia at Barnes-Jewish Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005. She was 73.
Haydon earned a bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1954, graduating with honors.
She came to Washington University in 1974, earning a master’s in piano performance in 1976.
As a senior lecturer, she gave individual lessons and taught classes in keyboard harmony and piano pedagogy.
In 2001, she inaugurated the Young Artist Piano Concerto Competition for pre-college musicians. Winners perform a concerto with the Washington University Symphony Orchestra.
A frequent clinician and jury member for area piano examinations, Haydon developed a special interest in teaching those with physical disabilities.
As a result of a serious injury to her right hand, she conducted detailed research in therapeutic techniques to help regain strength and mobility.
These techniques were later collected in a video released in 1996: Piano Technique: Is There Only One Way?
Haydon is survived by three sons, Bryan Duckham and Todd and Noel Haydon; three stepchildren, Rob, David and Vicki Hermanson; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Nov. 2 at the Richmond Heights Presbyterian Church. Plans for an on-campus memorial service will be announced.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 101, St. Louis, MO 63146.