Violins from the Heart set to close with free concert
By Christine Cole
SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL
LEESBURG – After seven years of teaching the violin to people of all ages, Jeffrey Smith's Violins from the Heart is closing its doors.
To mark the occasion, Smith and more than a dozen current and past students will stage a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Morrison United Methodist Church.
“We will go out with a bang,” Smith said. “I told the kids there would be no tears. They should see this as a chance to grow and broaden their horizons, not to be sad.”
Students will play most every type of music on their violins – bluegrass, country fiddle, rock, fusion, and broadway tunes as well as classical – in a kinetic performance.
“This has always been a school of performance,” Smith said. “We like to show off.”
Zack Deland, a 16-year-old who has studied with Smith for four years, said he stayed with the program because Smith made it fun.
“I love playing Irish jigs because the tempos are fun to play,” Zack said. “If it hadn't been so much fun, I probably would have quit.”
Zack is the co-captain of the school's Fiddle Team USA, an elite group that has played at Walt Disney World, in the Leesburg Art Festival and marched in parades.
Smith said he is not closing the school because of a lack of business. Instead, the 31-year-old is seeking a change.
“For seven years, I have put a lot of effort into the school,” he said. “I've been the owner, the president, a teacher and the trashman.”
He said he will seek a career in the nonprofit sector.
The concert at the church at 1005 w. Main St. will be followed by a reception.
For more information, call 352-348-2927
081107 – Orlando Sentinel
