Tara Davis' immense talents as a brass musician brought her to a high point in her profession at an early age. But her virtuosic abilities on the euphonium and baritone simply mirrored a life of harmony with those around her.

"Not only was she a great musician, she was a delightful human being, a bundle of energy," said Denis Colwell, music director of the River City Brass Band, which she joined last summer. "She was an absolute joy to have in the band and to be around."

"She was so giving and kind," said her sister, Erica Davis of Shaker Heights, Ohio. "She always thought of others before herself."

Ms. Davis came to Pittsburgh in August to join the River City Brass Band as a baritone player. She also joined Americorps, teaching at the Propel-East Charter School in Turtle Creek.

On Tuesday night, the Ross woman lost control of her car while driving south on Interstate 79 near the Wexford interchange in Franklin Park. Her vehicle skidded off the road and struck a utility pole, state police said. Ms. Davis, who was wearing a seat belt and talking on a cell phone, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 24.

"She was an absolute pleasure to work with, a bright young woman," said Joseph Zuback, general manager of the band.

Aaron Gray, assistant director at Keys Service Corps, said he was impressed with Ms. Davis' talent and poise when he interviewed her, ultimately placing her at the charter school last fall. "She was already making good progress with the kids."

Born in Cleveland, Ms. Davis showed a natural talent for music. She started playing trumpet in fifth grade, but also took clarinet and piano lessons. She eventually took up the two instruments that would be her lifelong passion.

"One day," Erica Davis recalled, "they just asked her if she wanted to play the baritone" -- an instrument which, like the euphonium, is akin to the tuba. She jumped at the chance.

Ms. Davis was working on her doctorate at Arizona State University when she won an audition with the brass band. Her intention was to finish her doctoral dissertation at West Virginia University.

She had a master's degree in music from Arizona State, where she was named outstanding graduate in music performance last year. Her bachelor's was in music education from Northwestern University, where she was a member of Delta Sigma Theta, an international community service sorority.

"She was a go-getter," said her sister.

In addition to her sister, Ms. Davis is survived by her father, Mychael Davis of Shaker Heights, Ohio; mother, Kimberly Adams-Tufts of Norfolk, Va.; and other siblings, Brandon Davis, Brooklyn Davis and Michael Adams, all of Shaker Heights.

The family will receive the public at 11:30 a.m. Monday followed by the funeral at noon at E.F. Boyd and Sons Funeral Home, 2165 E. 89th St., Cleveland.