Drs. Dawn and Eric Hawk are excited to bring orchestral music closer to their home in Cumming. The Symphony Orchestra of North Georgia (SONG) was created in 2021 with the goal of expanding music opportunities for the community locally and specifically in Forsyth County. SONG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with three ensembles: an adult community symphony, youth symphony, and an all strings group for youth beginners. Amid the pandemic, the three orchestras were created to provide group music opportunities to members as safe as possible. Online, hybrid, and in-person options for rehearsals and performance are available.

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The Hawks received their Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Georgia, with Eric majoring in orchestral conducting and Dawn in piano performance. They are the Co-Founders of the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra where Eric served as the music director for 7 years and Dawn as the pianist. Dawn is the Founder and Executive Director of Hawk Music Academy (HMA), an institution that specializes in piano and strings instruction. 

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Having a degree also in mechanical engineering, Dawn, aka "Dr. D", wears many hats in SONG. She is the President, Executive Director, pianist, website designer, audio/video "tech" and more. Originally from Colorado, Dawn was an avid long distance mountain runner. She considers north Georgia her home away from home. The logo was sketched by her sister, April, and digitally created by Dawn. It represents both the mountains of their home state of Colorado and of north Georgia. The bird is a hawk, of course!

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Eric, aka "Doc Hawk", has extensive youth and community orchestra conducting experience. He was formerly the Artistic Director of the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra's Philharmonia, Agnes Scott College's community orchestra, served as the Assistant Conductor of the University of Georgia's orchestras, and taught orchestra and general music at Fulton Science Academy to K-12th grade students.

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Eric serves as the SONG's Music Director and Conductor of all three ensembles. Originally from Florida, Eric was involved with his youth orchestra for over 15 years, starting as a beginner and later as an assistant music director. He and his youth orchestra conductor shared a musical connection, which inspired him to pursue music as a career. Eric enjoys bringing out the best musician in everyone.

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The Hawks reside in Cumming with their daughter, Lilu, five labradors, Wall-E, Luna, Aggie, Pippin, and Toby, and four bunnies, Charlie, Linus, Lucy, and Sally!

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To read more about the Hawks, visit their biography pages at hawkmusicacademy.com.