After gobbling up lunch, many children in elementary school race outside to play.
Not Zoe Balba. The grade 4 student at Strathcona School picks up a violin to squeeze in some extra practice time with some of the other kids in grade 3 to 6.
Violin lessons are part of the music program at the inner-city school. Every child in those four grades is taught how to play.
“Before it felt like it’s so hard. And everyday you get better and better and better,” says Balba in a quiet voice.
This lunchtime lesson is extra hands-on time that she and about a dozen other students participate in once a week.
11 year old Joseph Lambert is also a regular at the lunchtime lessons. Now in his third year of learning violin at school, Lambert loves the instrument. Just two weeks ago he played a solo at the music program’s concert. “It makes me feel happy,” says Lambert.
The violin program was first introduced at Strathcona School 10 years ago to only a few classes. After seeing the benefits, it was quickly expanded to include multiple grades.
Music teacher Donna Greaves says many students aren’t able to take dance or music lessons outside of school, so this is a great opportunity for them.
“If you can play the violin imagine what else you can do. You can take the hardest task that you can ever imagine and you can get through it,” says Greaves. She admits the first few lessons are the hardest for her students.
“When they pick it (the violin) up for the first time in grade three, sometimes there are even tears. They say my arm hurts, my hand hurts. And in grade four and five they’re standing on a stage at the university playing a solo. That gives them pride and satisfaction. It gives them a challenge that they’ve accomplished.”
Funding for the specialized program comes from the Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts (MCMA). Instructors for the music outreach program also come courtesy of the MCMA.
“We felt that especially in the inner city there was a need for music programs and we wanted to be part of bringing the music to kids,” explains Ashley Boychuk, community services coordinator for MCMA.
Strathcona is one of four Winnipeg schools that have partnered with MCMA to teach violin in the music outreach program. Specialized instructors also provide lessons at Wellington School, William Whyte and Inkster School.
MCMA uses funding from grants and donations to help cover the cost of the program. There are over 270 children enrolled at a cost of $100 per child, per year of lessons.
Professional violinist Maya deForest – who first picked up the instrument at the age of 3, says the experience of teaching the students at Strathcona School for the past two years has been rewarding.
“We talk about working hard and what it means to work hard and the rewards of working hard,” says deForest.
“Once they get it, they’re really into it. I don’t think there’s anything more gratifying than that.”
A benefit concert is being held in support of the music outreach program on May 24, 2015 at the University of Winnipeg. Find out more about the fundraiser and the Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts here.
Better Winnipeg is a weekly feature that focuses on people and events that make Winnipeg better. If you have suggestions for stories, send them to betterwinnipeg@globalnews.ca.
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