On October 3, 2022 at Driftwood Public School in Toronto, 3 young students approached Euterpe’s musicians after experiencing our program. Each of them pleaded with us to help them find a way to realize their dream. The passion, energy and burning desire emanating from each of these 3 children to play the musical instrument of their dreams was palpable.
Victoria Abiodun, a grade 5 student, age 10, told us how she needed to be a drummer, that being a drummer has always been her dream and that she needs to have drums. Her classmates confirmed that she is always drumming, whether with pencils or whatever she can find. Her mother confirmed that Victoria has always wanted to be a drummer, but that the family does not have the means to buy her drums and to pay for lessons. Victoria has been exposed to drumming at the family’s church and her older sister has been involved in drumming at the church. Victoria’s family is from Nigeria. They moved to Canada when Victoria was 3 years old.
Sherlian Grant, a grade 5 student, age 10, reached out to us after experiencing our program and expressed her desire and need to play the flute. Sherlian’s family is from Jamaica. The family does not have the means to support Sherlian’s dream of playing the flute.
Izaiah Nyoni, a grade 5 student, age 10, expressed his need to play the trumpet after experiencing our program at his school. He was inspired by the entire program, and the magical trumpet playing of Euterpe’s Alexander Brown crystallized for Izaiah his need and passion to play the trumpet. Izaiah’s father is from South Africa and his mother is from St. Vincent. Izaiah was born in Canada. The family does not have the means to support Izaiah’s dream of becoming a trumpet player.
As Euterpe: Music Is The Key has done for other underserved children who have been inspired by our music-making and who have reached out to us, we promised these 3 children that we would do everything we could to provide them with new instruments and lessons. Yamaha Canada Music Ltd., with whom we have been privileged to have a long-standing rich relationship, has always been eager to collaborate with Euterpe: Music Is The Key to help underserved children realize their musical dreams. Yamaha’s Jim Welter arranged to procure 3 brand new Yamaha instruments for these children: an electronic drum kit, a flute and a trumpet.
Euterpe & Yamaha Official Presentation
The official presentation of the 3 instruments took place on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Driftwood P.S. Present was Jim Welter from Yamaha Canada Music Ltd., Catherine Wilson, Norman Hathaway and George Koller from Euterpe: Music Is The Key, the VP of Driftwood P.S., Paul Reynolds, and the 3 stars: Victoria, Sherlian and Izaiah.
Here are some photos from this exciting special presentation.
Let’s Get You Set Up
Catherine Wilson, Norman Hathaway and George Koller from Euterpe: Music Is The Key went to the home of Victoria Abiodun and set up her brand new Yamaha electronic drum kit. Following that we brought Sherlian Grant’s brand new Yamaha flute to her at her parent’s apartment. Here are some photos from that evening.
Thanks to Jim Welter who reached out to Richard Marsella, the executive director of Community Music Schools of Toronto, a division of the Regent Park Music School, both Victoria and Sherlian began receiving private lessons in February 2023.
At that time, the Community Music Schools of Toronto did not have a trumpet teacher, so Euterpe has set Izaiah up with private lessons from Alexander Brown, whose playing had so inspired Izaiah on October 3, 2022.
We at Euterpe: Music Is The Key will remain actively involved with the music education of these children. More to follow.
