Kathleen Carroll, a native of Oregon, came to Philadelphia to study viola at the Curtis Institute, grew to love the city and never left.  She performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, the Opera Company of Philadelphia Orchestra, Philly Pops, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Orchestra 2001, at the Forrest Theater and for many other leading musical organizations.   Shortly after playing the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Nutcracker in 2000, Kathy was diagnosed with fourth-stage cancer. 

In April 2001 became a Keystone House resident in the spring of 2001. Her friends were uplifted after seeing firsthand that her life within a hospice was neither depressing or oppressive.

As a way of saying “thank you”, Kathleen decided to present an evening of music and wine for hospice staff and supporters. Michael Johns and seven other friends performed solo and ensemble selections to an audience of over 300 people. Although not intended as a fundraiser, the evening raised almost $30,000.

After her passing in August 2003, Kathleen’s musical colleagues decided to continue her Here’s to Life concert as a way to honor her legacy and assist Keystone Hospice with furthering its mission of serving the terminally ill and their families.

Conductor Michael Johns states

“Through my experience with Kathleen at Keystone, I realized that hospice is much more than formulas and prescriptions, it’s really about human connection and human bonding — which all of us need. And Here’s to Life is all about celebrating the power of music to reach our hearts and make that connection.”

By 2006, the orchestra swelled to 50 members and was the hospice's premier community outreach and fundraising event held during National Hospice Month.