J. Patrice Caflin Kaluza, 62, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Corolla, North Carolina on Thursday, April 25, 2019. Born March 17, 1957, in Philadelphia, PA, she attended St. Jane Frances DeChantal School and Notre Dame High School in Easton, PA. She was selected in a statewide competition to attend the Governor’s School for the Arts at Bucknell University, and she was later asked to return as an instructor because of her exceptional musical talents.

She enrolled at Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA where she met her future Husband, William Kaluza from nearby University of Pennsylvania. They knew within weeks after their first date they would one day be married, but they waited for Patrice to earn her B.S. in Music Education and Voice before they married on August 11, 1979. While living in Harrisburg, PA, Patrice created a new music curriculum at St. Margaret Mary School, taught instrumental and choral classes, formed a Handbell Choir and tutored an exceptional child. She also delivered her first-born son, Patrick.

When she and William moved to Damascus, Maryland in 1982, Patrice established the Damascus Music Conservatory for private instruction of voice, orchestral instruments, and theater arts while establishing comprehensive theater arts programs at Holy Cross School and St. Elizabeth School in Rockville, MD. She co-founded the Damascus Theatre Company for which she served as Executive Director and for which she co-wrote and directed the historical musical, “On The Road To Damascus” with a cast of more than 80 actors. During this time, she delivered three additional babies: Marilauren, Jacquelyn and Gregory.

After moving to Raleigh, NC in 1996, Patrice joined St. Francis of Assisi choir and participated in the design of The Franciscan School. When the School opened in 2000, she served as the first Band Director and established the Barclay Youth Ensemble through her private studio, Barclay Conservatory of Music.

During this time, she performed in the a cappella group, Synergy, and founded SeaSound Entertainment, the entertainment agency through which she represented several hundred U.S. and international musicians and performers, including several acts from Las Vegas. She toured with Stars of The Lawrence Welk Show and earned her C.P.A.E. (Certified Performing Artist Executive) degree through NAPAMA.

Patrice formed two bands that performed for weddings, fairs, corporate events and special events: Lady &The Tramps which specialized in Oldies from the 1940s through the 1990s, and The Barclay Quartet which specialized in ballroom dance music.

She was an active member of North Carolina Presenters Consortium, a member of the Association Executives of North Carolina, the International Special Events Society, the Music Educators National Conference, the National Pastoral Musicians Association, the Music Federation of America and the North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents Association.

Also a talented artist, she created magnificent artwork from shells, driftwood, sea fans and other sea life that she sold through her businesses, Sea Treasure by Patrice and Kaleidoscope Baby. Eager to visit her favorite location on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, she was happiest when enjoying the beach surrounded by her extended family.

Her ultimate achievement was the recording of her vocal CD, “At Last,” for which she collaborated with Orchestral Conductor, Todd Sullivan of New York City and Multiple Emmy Award Winner, Arranger & Composer, Lanny Meyers of New York City.

Recognized throughout the entertainment industry as a talented vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, she believed in treating others fairly, educating future artists, supporting other performers and using her many talents to bring joy to the elderly, to the sick and to school students.

Through her musical instruction, she was a positive force in the lives of hundreds of children who often sought her assistance not only for musical instruction but also to navigate the challenges in their lives. As a Mother, she was a role model for boldly accepting new challenges, defending the rights of those with disabilities, treating others as she hoped to be treated, and living life joyfully with love for all and devotion to family. To her friends, she was a loving spirit who truly cared about their personal needs and happiness. To strangers in need, she was a generous financier of their desperate needs.

Patrice is preceded in death by her father, James A. Caflin and her mother, Mary Ellen Kempsey Caflin. She is survived by her husband of forty years, William Kaluza; her four children, Patrick (Doria), Marilauren (Joseph), Jacquelyn and Gregory, all of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Catherine, Elizabeth and Charles; sister, Jayne (Peter); and several step-siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, May 2, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 3, 2019 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC with a reception immediately following in Founders Hall of the Church where we will celebrate her life as Patrice had requested through music provided by some of the artists she represented and humorous stories from her many friends.

Donations in her name can be made to the Corolla Chapel building fund at www.corollachapel.com.