Elizabeth Hampton
Board Member

Dr. Elizabeth Hampton DPT was born in Annapolis, MD and moved 11 times in her life before she and her late husband, Mike, realized in 1997 that Bellingham was their forever home. Elizabeth joined the BFM board in 2025 after four fantastic years as a home host to BFM Principal Oboist, Harrison Linsey and his wife, Jeannie, who are now dear friends of the family.

Both Hampton kids, Davis and Finn, were educated in the Bellingham School District. While Bellingham Arts Academy of Youth (BAAY) was a huge influence for Finn, the legendary middle school music teacher and Principal Violist of the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, Morgan Schwab, was an early influencer for both kids.

At Fairhaven Middle School, Davis started playing the clarinet and bass clarinet. Four years later, when Finn arrived at FMS, they chose the cello. The Hampton home was always full of a wide variety of music, from progressive rock to classical, indie and everything in between. With both Elizabeth and Mike having taken music lessons from an early age, as well as family in the music industry or music education, music has always been a key factor in the Hampton home.

Elizabeth works as a physical therapist, business owner of CorePhysio as well as Senior Faculty for the Herman Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. Both of the kids work in the arts. Finn traded in their cello for a different art form, attending Digipen Institute of Technology studying animation and film. Davis is a professional, conservatory trained musician, having won the position of Principal Bass Clarinetist in the US Army Band Pershing’s Own. Davis was invited to play in the BFM Orchestra in both 2025 and 2026, which preceded Elizabeth’s nomination to the Board.

“From extensive, evidence-based research, we know that music is critical for all ages and stages of human development,” Elizabeth says. “With all the biohackers, health seekers and longevity-driven folks in Whatcom County, it makes sense for our community to prioritize supporting the BFM. The Festival’s programming impacts kids throughout the year. It would be great to see all ages in our community embrace, support and devour the incredible music offerings throughout the July festival each year.”

Ellizabeth is thrilled to see the festival evolve into a multigenerational event, with world class, professional musicians coming from all over the country. “The BFM is a highly desirable festival to be invited to, because of the beauty of the PNW as well as the charismatic leadership of Marcelo and Erika.”
When not working or writing, Elizabeth can be found with family and friends cooking up wild meals and having adventures in our beautiful Pacific NW.