Paul Gulino

Born Charla Abraham in Detroit, Michigan, Charla grew up on Alvin Street in Toledo, Ohio. She developed an early interest in the flute, and studied at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City on full scholarship, earning a Masters in Music in 1975. She married Paul Gulino in 1988 and migrated to Los Angeles in 1989. The two settled in Santa Monica, California, and adopted a daughter, Gina. During her music career, Charla performed in such venues as Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. She performed, often as co-principal flute or soloist, with the Ventura Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Coast Chamber Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Ventura Symphony and the Long Beach Ballet Orchestra. She toured the U.S. in 1986 with a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, and toured Europe in 1994 with a revival of My Fair Lady. Her major teachers included Julius Baker, Thomas Nyfenger and Jean-Pierre Rampal. In addition to numerous private students, Charla also taught for the Ed Foundation in Santa Monica, leading semi-private lessons for needy students. Charla loved dogs and travel, Diet Coke and running, New York City, Chinese food, coffee, muffins, and All My Children. She died in Santa Monica 2008 after a seven year battle with ovarian cancer. She was survived by husband Paul, daughter Gina, and sisters Mona and Denice.