Rye Arts Center Brings Sweet Sounds to Carver Center

The Rye Arts Center is pleased to announce the new home of its Suzuki Violin program at The Port Chester Carver Center. The group program is offered once a week to aspiring musicians in grades 1-3.

When second grader Ethon Taylor was asked why he would like to learn the violin, he replied, “I saw a friend playing and wanted to learn how to do that." Ethon also mentioned that he had heard blue grass music on television and thought “it was cool".  It is now one of his favorite types of music. Ethon's mother, Felicia Craft, expressed how grateful she is that her son is being given the opportunity to participate in the program.

The program, initiated by local resident Alice Model, began as part of an after-school program at a Port Chester elementary school in 1997. It was inspired by the East Harlem Violin Program started in 1980 by Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras, a New York City elementary school music teacher. The program was at the center of the film, “Music of the Heart,” starring Meryl Streep.

Rye Arts Center Music School Director Anne Bach-Fumasoli said she is delighted to broaden this program on the community level. “We have maintained a close partnership with our neighboring town of Port Chester over the past 26 years. This program is another means to help promote our mission to inspire interest and maximum participation in the arts, characterized by artistic tradition, educational value and a spirit of innovation.” She added,  “It is just one of our seven community programs offered in the area.”

The Suzuki Violin Program, now in its 10th year, is made possible through The Rye Arts Center in collaboration with The Appleby, Susan B. Gabel and Handelman Foundations and David and Michelle Florence.