October was a fantastic month at Kids 4 Harmony. We gave our first big performance at this season's final 3rd Thursday street festival, this time on the big stage! Both orchestras gave concerts as the sun set, which made a spectacular image:
October was exciting for another reason: new teachers! Marielisa and Mariesther Alvarez, who were trained in the Venezuelan El Sistema, began coming once a week.
 |
| Marielisa and Mariesther Alvarez working with Tianna Houle |
Their disciplined teaching style started our program off on a new foot this year. They helped Kids 4 Harmony staff develop tools to make sure each student has the most solid foundation possible to build on. This means children are sitting up with pride, holding their instruments perfectly, and playing as one group.
This isn't all! Jorge Soto, a friend of the Alvarez sisters and an excellent teacher in his own right, visited the program twice in October. His original plan was to visit once in a while, but he was so impressed that he decided to make weekly visits starting this month, in November. Jorge was also trained in Venezuela's system and is a close friend of renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
 |
| Jorge Soto leads a rehearsal |
Is this all? Absolutely not! Kids 4 Harmony took on two more new teachers - Amber Naramore, who is directing choir, and Eleni Yalanis, teaching violin! We'll have more information introducing these two soon.
