The Sound of Music: music lessons come to FLM

Wonderful things continue to evolve at Finca La Maya! The next special events will be two days of music, singing, lessons, and playing instruments for students in classes at La Maya every Saturday. Thanks to the generosity and talent of Janice and Elmore Stuart, this will be a rare treat for everyone. The Stuarts will be bringing not only musical instruments to donate, but will be teaching the kids about music, musical concepts, singing, and then applying those ideas by teaching them to play some notes and simple songs on the recorders and keyboards. Except for older students who learn to play for a town’s band, music is a stranger to most families in the interior. “Music is the universal language” grins Elmore. “There is never enough of it!”

The program at Finca La Maya is one that will offer them the opportunity that they seek for sharing a passion with those for whom music instruction is not easily or readily available.  Maybe there is some adult interest in the Coronado/El Valle area in forming a musical group. Perhaps there are some expats or Panamanians who have played an instrument in the past or who wish to begin the journey of making music. Any and all interested in learning more - children or adults - are welcome to come to the two classes at Finca La Maya where they will be teaching on 5 and 12 April at 10 pm.

Elmore and Janice have 75 years of a combined experience as musicians! Both have backgrounds in performing and teaching.  Elmore has played clarinet and saxophone.  Janice was in her high school band, then studied music in college, earning a teaching degree in instrumental music.  She has taught in public and private schools, adjudicated contests, and maintains a private teaching studio at the music store that she and Elmore formed eleven years ago.  Janice teaches piano, woodwind and brass instruments, while Elmore teaches woodwind instruments and offers repairs on band instruments.  Both currently perform in several adult concert bands and a jazz ensemble.
 
The Stuarts are planning to retire to Panama in the near future and would like to remain active in a teaching and performing capacity.  They hope to settle in the greater Coronado area and plan to seek teaching and performing opportunities other communities in Panama.

Janice and Elmore are planning to perform at the Grand Opening Reception for the new Coronado Community Center on Saturday, 12 April, at 6 pm, in The Village Commercial Center in Coronado.
They look forward to their new adventure, and wish to continue to share their love of teaching and performing with those of like mind and interests.    

Music training helps under-achievers. Students lagging behind in scholastic performance caught up to their fellow students in reading and surpassed their classmates in math by 22% when given music instruction over seven months.   ~ Nature, May 23, 1996

For more information about free community programs at Finca La Maya, please call (507) 240-8281, E-mail info@fincalamaya.com or visit the web site at www.fincalamaya.org