Perfect Harmony - Ladies Home Journal
Teaching kids to play the violin is a labor of love for one Idaho musician, the winner of our Difference-Makers Contest, a partnership with Better TV.
When Jacie Sites opened her music shop in 2004, students from the nearby elementary school would often come by to check out the instruments and listen to music. A few children asked if they could learn to play, but none of them had the money for lessons. "I just didn't think it was fair that some kids couldn't learn because they couldn't afford it," says Sites, who studied the violin in college and now teaches and plays professionally.
So she asked the violin instructors at her store in Idaho Falls to offer free group lessons. To spread the word, Sites and her husband, Joe, performed at school assemblies. The program, which she called Strings for Kids, quickly outgrew the shop, so Sites organized lessons at the nearby school.
Since Strings for Kids serves children from low-income families, kids must qualify for the free or reduced-lunch program to be eligible for lessons. To apply, they submit a teacher recommendation and an essay. Once enrolled, each child receives her own violin, music stand, and books.
Twelve-year-old Janel Cortes has participated for the past two years. "I wanted to play the violin, but we didn't have the money," says Janel. "When I learned about Strings for Kids, I said, 'This is my chance.' " Janel's mother, Kaylene, couldn't be happier. "I think it's awesome," she says. "The kids are exposed to classical music and also learn about structure and discipline."
Sites has seen many children like Janel blossom in the program, which has now expanded to three more local elementaries. "When we put on recitals, the kids introduce their pieces and play all by themselves in front of an audience. It's very empowering." Kids also make new friends. "Some students even go over to one another's houses to practice together," she says. "Music gives them a common ground."
The Idaho Falls community has embraced Strings for Kids, and the group's annual fundraising concert almost always sells out. With that support, Sites has been able to teach more than 400 students to play. "Music helps kids express themselves and boosts their self-esteem," she says. "We hope that they continue to play and grow, and that the music lives on."
Contact schools or music teachers in your area to see if they accept donations. You can also donate to Strings for Kids directly at stringsforkids.org or visit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation (vh1savethemusic.com) to help more kids have access to music.
Know a woman who goes the extra mile for her community or the world? Nominate her for our Difference-Makers Contest at LHJ.com/differencemakers.
Originally published in Ladies' Home Journal, February 2011.
So she asked the violin instructors at her store in Idaho Falls to offer free group lessons. To spread the word, Sites and her husband, Joe, performed at school assemblies. The program, which she called Strings for Kids, quickly outgrew the shop, so Sites organized lessons at the nearby school.
Since Strings for Kids serves children from low-income families, kids must qualify for the free or reduced-lunch program to be eligible for lessons. To apply, they submit a teacher recommendation and an essay. Once enrolled, each child receives her own violin, music stand, and books.
Twelve-year-old Janel Cortes has participated for the past two years. "I wanted to play the violin, but we didn't have the money," says Janel. "When I learned about Strings for Kids, I said, 'This is my chance.' " Janel's mother, Kaylene, couldn't be happier. "I think it's awesome," she says. "The kids are exposed to classical music and also learn about structure and discipline."
Sites has seen many children like Janel blossom in the program, which has now expanded to three more local elementaries. "When we put on recitals, the kids introduce their pieces and play all by themselves in front of an audience. It's very empowering." Kids also make new friends. "Some students even go over to one another's houses to practice together," she says. "Music gives them a common ground."
The Idaho Falls community has embraced Strings for Kids, and the group's annual fundraising concert almost always sells out. With that support, Sites has been able to teach more than 400 students to play. "Music helps kids express themselves and boosts their self-esteem," she says. "We hope that they continue to play and grow, and that the music lives on."
Contact schools or music teachers in your area to see if they accept donations. You can also donate to Strings for Kids directly at stringsforkids.org or visit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation (vh1savethemusic.com) to help more kids have access to music.
Know a woman who goes the extra mile for her community or the world? Nominate her for our Difference-Makers Contest at LHJ.com/differencemakers.
Originally published in Ladies' Home Journal, February 2011.
SFK Video Links
Strings for Kids Program Needs Your Help
Music is so powerful that it can change lives, especially when it's taught at an early age.
There's a program in Idaho Falls that gives musical opportunities to all children despite economic boundaries and it needs your support.
It wasn't all beautiful music when 25 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders first started taking classes at Linden Park Elementary, but in the past few months they've all made big progress.
This is Strings for Kids, a non-profit group that goes into four of the low-income District 91 schools to provide free violins and lessons to students like 11-year-old Rebekah Rich.
Rebekah Rich: "I like taking violin lessons because I like to play musical instruments and I like how it sounds."
They're being taught by a real pro. Jacie Sites is a three-time national fiddle champion who is passionate about music and the life-long benefits for children who otherwise couldn't afford to play.
Jacie Sites: "The music really gives them something that they can do with, you know, for their whole life. Sports are great and studies are great but you can play music your whole life - when you're 90 or also when you're 5 or 6."
Strings for Kids has been in District 91 schools for four and a half years and there's a waiting list of more students who want to play, but this non-profit needs more funding for the program to grow.
Jacie says the cost for each student to be in this 45-minute class once is week is about $200 a year. They are given a free violin, music book and stand.
Jacie Sites: "The violins are expensive; that's why we started this program, because kids couldn't afford them. So right now we don't have funds to let everybody in that wants in the program. We would love to be able to let any student that wants to play, to be able to learn how."
She hopes that donations will come in so she can teach in other schools and more students like Rebekah can take the free lessons and feel great about their accomplishments.
Rebekah Rich: "Yeah, it was tricky at first and it kinds of hurt my fingers, but once you got used to it you could really play it nicely."
For for more information or how to donate e-mail Strings for Kids at fiddlingjacie@hotmail.com
Music is so powerful that it can change lives, especially when it's taught at an early age.
There's a program in Idaho Falls that gives musical opportunities to all children despite economic boundaries and it needs your support.
It wasn't all beautiful music when 25 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders first started taking classes at Linden Park Elementary, but in the past few months they've all made big progress.
This is Strings for Kids, a non-profit group that goes into four of the low-income District 91 schools to provide free violins and lessons to students like 11-year-old Rebekah Rich.
Rebekah Rich: "I like taking violin lessons because I like to play musical instruments and I like how it sounds."
They're being taught by a real pro. Jacie Sites is a three-time national fiddle champion who is passionate about music and the life-long benefits for children who otherwise couldn't afford to play.
Jacie Sites: "The music really gives them something that they can do with, you know, for their whole life. Sports are great and studies are great but you can play music your whole life - when you're 90 or also when you're 5 or 6."
Strings for Kids has been in District 91 schools for four and a half years and there's a waiting list of more students who want to play, but this non-profit needs more funding for the program to grow.
Jacie says the cost for each student to be in this 45-minute class once is week is about $200 a year. They are given a free violin, music book and stand.
Jacie Sites: "The violins are expensive; that's why we started this program, because kids couldn't afford them. So right now we don't have funds to let everybody in that wants in the program. We would love to be able to let any student that wants to play, to be able to learn how."
She hopes that donations will come in so she can teach in other schools and more students like Rebekah can take the free lessons and feel great about their accomplishments.
Rebekah Rich: "Yeah, it was tricky at first and it kinds of hurt my fingers, but once you got used to it you could really play it nicely."
For for more information or how to donate e-mail Strings for Kids at fiddlingjacie@hotmail.com
SFK News Video
Strings for Kids Helps Aspiring Musicians
By Dustin Cuzick
While most kids spend their summer break relaxing and enjoying their time off, one group of Idaho Falls students spent theirs expanding their musical horizons.
When Joe Sites and his wife started the Strings for Kids program they set out to open up a world of music to kids that otherwise might not have been able to afford it.
Joe Sites/Strings for Kids Co-founder: "There shouldn't be economic boundaries when it comes to music. Music is something that you have your whole life, you know, it's not like football. I've got a bad knee, that's what I've got from football, but I started playing the violin myself, or fiddle, when I was 18 years old and I can't imagine my life without that blessing of music."
Through programs and concerts they put on, mostly with their band Celtic Air, they are able to provide instruments and lessons to low-income students at little or no cost.
Sites: "We're passionate about children, we're passionate about music, and it's something that's really near and dear to our hearts."
And it's clear to see that the students enjoy the program just as much as their instructors
Aaron Rowen/Strings for Students summer program: "It makes me feel good because it's something I like to do and I have fun with."
The Strings for Kids program will continue through the school year. For more information, or if you wish to donate to the program you can log on to their website.
www.stringsforkids.org
By Dustin Cuzick
While most kids spend their summer break relaxing and enjoying their time off, one group of Idaho Falls students spent theirs expanding their musical horizons.
When Joe Sites and his wife started the Strings for Kids program they set out to open up a world of music to kids that otherwise might not have been able to afford it.
Joe Sites/Strings for Kids Co-founder: "There shouldn't be economic boundaries when it comes to music. Music is something that you have your whole life, you know, it's not like football. I've got a bad knee, that's what I've got from football, but I started playing the violin myself, or fiddle, when I was 18 years old and I can't imagine my life without that blessing of music."
Through programs and concerts they put on, mostly with their band Celtic Air, they are able to provide instruments and lessons to low-income students at little or no cost.
Sites: "We're passionate about children, we're passionate about music, and it's something that's really near and dear to our hearts."
And it's clear to see that the students enjoy the program just as much as their instructors
Aaron Rowen/Strings for Students summer program: "It makes me feel good because it's something I like to do and I have fun with."
The Strings for Kids program will continue through the school year. For more information, or if you wish to donate to the program you can log on to their website.
www.stringsforkids.org
River City Weekly Article
No strings attached Fundraiser planned for program that provides free music lessons for students from low-income families. Joe Sites of Sites Music School helps Rebekah Rich tune her violin. Sites teaches District 91 elementary students enrolled in the Strings for Kids program.As principal of a school where more than 70 percent of students receive free and reduced lunches, Jeanne Johnson of A.H. Bush Elementary knows the majority of the kids won’t have the means to pay for music lessons. But that isn’t preventing a group of fourth through sixth graders from learning the violin. As part of Strings for Kids, 15 students are learning how to play music; one group of sixth graders, now in their second year of instruction, are even receiving intermediate instruction.
“School is more than just reading and science and math. It really needs to be a lot of great things, so we’ve appreciated having the program because it’s added another dimension these kids didn’t really have,” Johnson said.
Over 200 District 91 elementary students at four elementary schools applied for the non-profit Strings for Kids program this year. Children who receive free and reduced lunch are taught free of charge how to play the violin under the tutelage of professional musicians Joe and Jacie Sites of Sites’ Music School.
Two hundred applied, and 200 qualified for the program. The problem is only 125 violins are available — and the number of violins dictates how many kids can participate.
So the Sites have scheduled a March 7 benefit concert at the Colonial Theater, underwritten so every cent from ticket sales will go directly to the program. Headliners include Celtic Air, Tim Hodgson from Bar J Wranglers and a chamber orchestra.
Designing a program for children from low-income families was a no-brainer for the Sites, who believe kids from well-to-do families can come to their shop for instruction like everyone else. Strings for Kids was designed for those would-be musicians that don’t have a chance to play an instrument.
“The best fiddler (or) the next best violinist in the world might come out of this program. It would be a shame to think the person could come right out of Idaho Falls and never have touched a violin,” Joe said. “You don’t know unless they get an opportunity.”
Strings for Kids operates five classes in four schools — Bush, Linden Park, Hawthorne and Dora Erickson. Students are signed up on a first-come, first-served basis: The administration numbers those who sign up until seats are filled.
Students receive instruments, music, a music stand and shoulder rest — a $400 value per child, Joe said. The program is also offered throughout the summer, and “if the parents will get them here (and) if they come through the summer, they keep the violin,” he said.
The four-year program, which began after Hawthorne students started hanging around the Sites’ shop after school, is still working out some kinks. Next year preference will be given to sixth graders, as a way to build more musicians for the junior high orchestras.
To eliminate interference with the school day, instruction is provided before and after school. And the lessons aren’t interfering with school work or behavior: Johnson said students who study music learn to concentrate better, which helps in their coursework, and those who stick with the program have a good year in academics and citizenship.
Linden Park principal Dick Wagner said that in addition to musical ability, the general behavior and attitude of participants has improved over the year, thanks to the approach Jacie adopted when she drafted the curriculum: Intrinsic motivation is the focus — always a goal in education.
“The first day she teaches them enough that they are able to play something that they recognize,” he said. “That’s what her instruction is based on — keeping the kids motivated by feeling successful at what they’re learning.”
Fifty Linden Park students applied for one of the 25 seats offered at the school, and over 60 percent of the entire student population qualifies for free and reduced lunch.
“The generosity of Joe and Jacie and the community that supports them so they can operate this program is absolutely marvelous. I want our students to be recipients of that generosity,” Wagner said. “On the other hand I think those of us who can help them have an obligation to do that.”
Posted on Feb 25, 2009 by River City Weekly
“School is more than just reading and science and math. It really needs to be a lot of great things, so we’ve appreciated having the program because it’s added another dimension these kids didn’t really have,” Johnson said.
Over 200 District 91 elementary students at four elementary schools applied for the non-profit Strings for Kids program this year. Children who receive free and reduced lunch are taught free of charge how to play the violin under the tutelage of professional musicians Joe and Jacie Sites of Sites’ Music School.
Two hundred applied, and 200 qualified for the program. The problem is only 125 violins are available — and the number of violins dictates how many kids can participate.
So the Sites have scheduled a March 7 benefit concert at the Colonial Theater, underwritten so every cent from ticket sales will go directly to the program. Headliners include Celtic Air, Tim Hodgson from Bar J Wranglers and a chamber orchestra.
Designing a program for children from low-income families was a no-brainer for the Sites, who believe kids from well-to-do families can come to their shop for instruction like everyone else. Strings for Kids was designed for those would-be musicians that don’t have a chance to play an instrument.
“The best fiddler (or) the next best violinist in the world might come out of this program. It would be a shame to think the person could come right out of Idaho Falls and never have touched a violin,” Joe said. “You don’t know unless they get an opportunity.”
Strings for Kids operates five classes in four schools — Bush, Linden Park, Hawthorne and Dora Erickson. Students are signed up on a first-come, first-served basis: The administration numbers those who sign up until seats are filled.
Students receive instruments, music, a music stand and shoulder rest — a $400 value per child, Joe said. The program is also offered throughout the summer, and “if the parents will get them here (and) if they come through the summer, they keep the violin,” he said.
The four-year program, which began after Hawthorne students started hanging around the Sites’ shop after school, is still working out some kinks. Next year preference will be given to sixth graders, as a way to build more musicians for the junior high orchestras.
To eliminate interference with the school day, instruction is provided before and after school. And the lessons aren’t interfering with school work or behavior: Johnson said students who study music learn to concentrate better, which helps in their coursework, and those who stick with the program have a good year in academics and citizenship.
Linden Park principal Dick Wagner said that in addition to musical ability, the general behavior and attitude of participants has improved over the year, thanks to the approach Jacie adopted when she drafted the curriculum: Intrinsic motivation is the focus — always a goal in education.
“The first day she teaches them enough that they are able to play something that they recognize,” he said. “That’s what her instruction is based on — keeping the kids motivated by feeling successful at what they’re learning.”
Fifty Linden Park students applied for one of the 25 seats offered at the school, and over 60 percent of the entire student population qualifies for free and reduced lunch.
“The generosity of Joe and Jacie and the community that supports them so they can operate this program is absolutely marvelous. I want our students to be recipients of that generosity,” Wagner said. “On the other hand I think those of us who can help them have an obligation to do that.”
Posted on Feb 25, 2009 by River City Weekly
