Violin Strings Tie Teacher, Students
by Christine Cole
SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL
SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL
Two and a half years ago, when Marsha Keesee brought home a copy of Music of the Heart, her son, Austin, was not interested in watching with her.
The 1999 movie, which starred Meryl Streep, is about a woman who taught violin to children in East Harlem, N.Y. At the time, Austin was taking lessons in tae kwon do.
“He wandered in and out, then he stayed,” Keesee said. “He just loved it”
Two weeks later, Austin met Jeffrey Smith, the founder of the Violin From The Heart School in Leesburg, when Smith visited Treadway Elementary School in Tavares.
“He said,'Mom, I want to do violin,' ” Keesee said. “He chose it over tae kwon do.”
On Saturday, Smith had an open house to celebrate his school's spacious new digs in Leesburg, a two-story house at 128 Orange Ave. Austin, 11, was on hand to talk to other children and their parents.
Now in the sixth grade at Tavares Middle School, Austin has worked his way up to a place on the School's Fiddle Team, which has performed at Epcot.
“If you could see how his confidence level has risen,” his mother said. “And Jeff is a great teacher. He doesn't linger on their mistakes.”
Smith, 28, has a special rapport with young children, she said, and in response they commit to learn a difficult instrument.
For children younger than 7, Smith has brought in Cheri Stoffel, who will teach a “Kindermusik” program, an interactive curriculum of music and movement for parents and children.
Stoffel and Rosa Harrison, who teaches advanced students, were scheduled to meet parents Saturday. Smith said that his school has grown so much, he is looking for more teachers.
The 3-year-old school offers private and group lessons preparing students to play bluegrass, rock, jazz and fusion as well as classical violin. Students range from 3 years old to retirees. The new building will afford them space for a full violin and music store and rehearsal space for small community orchestras.
Austin's father, Brad Keesee, has been helping Smith turn the 1921 house into a school. Smith said he bartered for Keesee's handyman skills – Keesee owns Maintenance Essentials in Tavares – and for plumbing and landscaping.
“When Jeff wants to accomplish something, he can be very persuasive,” Marsha Keesee said. “He has a contagious personality.”
For Information, call 352-315-0200
080904 – Orlando Sentinel
