1st prize winner at the Chicago Federation Women’s Musical Club playing the Kodaly Solo Sonata Opus 8 at the age of 14. Society of American Musicians, Oliver Ditson Award, full scholarship at Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University, Chicago Chamber of Commerce Award for outstanding solo performances, selected by Vogue Magazine as an “outstanding person under 25 years of age”.
Earl Madison's cello is a Giuseppe Guarneri filius Andreae made in Cremona, Italy in the year 1715. His favorite bows are a Francois X. Tourte made in the year 1820 and a Dominique Peccatte, made in the year 1840.
He attended Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University, Marquette University, and the University of Wisconsin graduating with degrees in Psychology and Political Science.