 The first of five children, Camilla's birthdate is still being disputed by historians, some claiming the year of her birth to be 1840, and others claiming it to be 1842.The family lived with her mother's sister, Caroline.Not much is known about Camilla's childhood, but most research shows that her interest in the violin began when “she heard a violin solo played during the Mass for St. Cecilia” during mass at her father's church, and begged to take the instrument up.