- Date Of Birth: April 15, 1931
- Date Of Death: June 27, 2022
- State: Colorado
Winifred Magoun-Hartman, 91, affectionately known as Winnie, was born in Denver, Colorado on April 15th, 1931, and passed away peacefully June 27th, 2022. Friends, family and students would all agree she was the sweetest, most kind and loving individual they had ever known. She lived a long, full life, and was loved by all.
Graduating from St. Francis de Sales High school, she then earned a masters degree in music at Denver University, and was also their May Day Queen. Winnie Hartman’s long career in the Denver Metropolitan area as a voice teacher and singer has been an invaluable resource in the arts community. She was a respected professional and her opinion has been widely sought. Winnie’s students have included professional performers, teachers, and dedicated amateurs. She combined her professionalism as an instructor with the compassion and ear of a trusted counselor.
She has lived in and around the Denver area for most of her extraordinary life. Even when she moved to assisted living in Littleton, she continued to teach voice, which she had done for the last 60 years. She leaves behind an amazing legacy as a singer and teacher. At a very early age, her talent as a singer was recognized, making records and landing her in the paper multiple times. She was part of a singing group called the “Mario Singers,” sang regularly at City Park, had the lead in several operas in Central City, and performed at Red Rocks three times with the Colorado Symphony. Illustrating her rare talent as a teacher, some of her students have become famous, performing on Broadway, appearing in movies, singing with the Metropolitan Opera – the list goes on.
Winifred was the beloved mother of four boys, Daniel, David, Scotty, and Michael, with her first husband Dr. Harold Magoun Jr. Winifred is survived by sons David and Scotty, grandchildren (Daniel and Mary Ann’s) Heather, Chris, Tim, Bonnie, Meghan, great-grandchildren (Heather and Jasin’s) Orion and Elara. She is preceded in death by Dr. Harold Magoun Jr., sons, Daniel, Michael, her parents, Winifred and Fredrick Linsenmaier, brother, Richard, and sister, Shirley.
Testimonials
Martin Moran quote:
I was sixteen years old, lost and troubled when I met Winnie and embarked on the study of voice and so of life with her. She utterly changed the trajectory of my soul. Right before I went off to college thinking I must become a lawyer she said to me, “You know Marty, you can be a professional singer if you so choose.” Her eyes beamed with her boundless love and her confidence. Her fierce example of professionalism as a musician, performer and teacher was powerful beyond measure. From the day I met her she spoke to me as an equal, as an adult. When I left her studio and went out into the world her shining voice, her encouragement never ceased to sing within me. I have been performing on Broadway now for nearly forty years and it is Winifred Magoun who opened the door on this life for me. I know she did this for so many. She was gifted and generous beyond measure. As I write these words I am headed to perform in my Saturday matinee here in New York. I know that Winnie will be with me on stage today as I breathe, as I sing. With love. She is here.
Winnie took me to the Brico symphony more than once and made sure that I met Antonio Brico. Brico shook my hand and counseled: “Remember, repeat this to yourself–I shall not be deflected from my course.” Winnie looked at me and with a big grin she nodded.
“Exactly,” Winnie said.
Ben Brady quote:
Dedicating a fabulous opening weekend at Santa Fe Opera to my first voice teacher, Winifred Hartman, who passed away last week. though I’ve always had a love for music and performing, she was truly the one who set me on this path. Thinking of her, and all of the amazing supporters I’ve had in my life, as I continue to make music every day.
Erin Kay Edlund quote:
I have worked with Winnie for over 20 years. She has helped me navigate a field that is extraordinarily tailored, with a blend of practicality, encouragement, love, realism and respect. Musicianship is not ever and only exclusively about money, and she made sure that I take care of my health and voice. She is also the external ear and resource that helps me have an additional awareness of my music that I need while being my own instrument. She maintained what teachers of singing consider a full roster of voice students well into her late eighties. Winnie was loved by her respected and admired her. I hope to have a tenth of her personal tenacity.
Jamie Brown quote:
When I ponder how I came to meet Winnie, I’m sure it was the hand of God leading our paths to cross. My husband and I were seated at her table while seeing a show at the Boulder Dinner Theatre. She said she was coming to see one of her voice students who was in the show. I had actively been searching for a teacher and here was Winnie coming to the rescue! She was so friendly and personable, I immediately liked her. This was about 1988 and I studied with her until she was no longer able to give lessons. At that point, I would come and just sing for her, to see her smile. She was such a special person in my life. She believed in me. She gave me confidence. She gave me technique. She gave me a wealth of knowledge about Soprano repertoire. She always wanted to know what was going on in “my world” and genuinely loved to teach. We were all her “family”. Sometimes I would be so tired or stressed when I went to my lesson, but after we were done I had a spring in my step and a song in my heart.
Thank you for sharing her with all of us!
Love,
Jamie Brown
July 7, 2022
From Austria
(On tour with the Colorado Symphony Chorus)
Timothy Magoun quote:
Never had there been a kinder and gentler soul than Winifred. In life, she was very accomplished and talented, but it was her joy that was unmatched. Her smile was so bright and infectious that you couldn’t help but find yourself smiling with her.
-Tim
Drinkwine Family Mortuary
999 W Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80120
Thursday the 28th of July 2022 at 2:00 pm
