MARCH 2020

In This Issue:

A Message from Our Founder

Through the Eyes of
Long-Time FAYM Students

A FAYM Parent's Perspective

Black Violin Concert

Sandro Ladu visits FAYM

A Message from Our Founder

Dear friends,

I am writing to give you a little perspective on one of the main reasons I founded FAYM.

I have long been an admirer of two major movements in music training for the young: The Suzuki Viol in Method which advocates for violin training for children who are barely out of the cradle; and, for the past 20 years or so, the impactfully positive social program established by Dr. Jose Abreu's in Venezuela called "El Sistema" ("The System").

Please view this video about "El Sistema": CLICK (click "stop ad")

It was 11 years ago that I had the privilege to attend the Simon Bulivar's first concert in the United States in Los Angeles in the Disney Concert Hall. The orchestra performed the Fifth Symphony by Gustav Mahler....a 75-minute, hugely challenging work for even the finest of major professional orchestras. The Simon Bolivar Orchestra, under Gustavo Dudamel, literally played the work as if it were being composed...with frightening authenticity and passion...with the packed-house audience responding wildly and everlastingly as no other audience I had even experienced! I knew then.....that to bring youngsters into the gloriously vast universe of symphonic literature was something I had to do with my remaining time.....And thus was formed FAYM.

We at FAYM are still in our infancy. Still searching. Still trying new things. But my intention still remains. We must bring to our youngsters SUBSTANTIAL material which will not only further their instrumental techniques but will stretch their hearts and emotions to want to express the messages that truly GREAT MUSIC can convey. It is to that mission that I, and I hope you, will remain committed.

Please join THE FAMILY OF FAYM today by donating online (click HERE)

Through the Eyes of
Long-Time FAYM Students

Mr. Weller is the creator of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and was their Conductor for many years. On December 20, 2007 he created The Foundation to Assist Young Musicians which we call ‘FAYM’. This is a non-profit with three areas of focus; (1) early training, (2) advanced study, and (3) professional career development, specifically those who are in need of financial and/or mentoring support up to the age of 26. In 2009 Hal Weller and I, Arturo Ochoa started the Violins for Kids Program as the early training step of FAYM.

Our first year we had 12 or 13 students in our Violins for Kids Program. At this time we have approximately 150 students. Recently I was looking through some old photographs and realized that we have several students that have been with FAYM for many of these years! I would like to share with you some FAYM history through our students.

Ricardo started learning the violin with FAYM when he was 8 years old. When he turned 11 he started learning to play the cello. He is now 15 years old and says he very much enjoys playing cello with FAYM.

His sister Gema started with FAYM when she was 7 years old and started playing the bass when she turned 12. She loves playing with FAYM and is currently in Advanced Violin, Advanced Orchestra and plays with our Mariachi Estrellas de FAYM. Gema says “FAYM is such an amazing program. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without it.”

A FAYM Parent's Perspective

… contributed by Nelson Baires

We are happy to bring to you, once more, our monthly Newsletter. We are proud to continue giving you the latest information on events and news from our .

We would like to thank our readers, supporters and volunteers once more for your hard and selfless efforts to make FAYM Foundation better and better every month. We acknowledge and appreciate your help and assistance every month.

MARCH RECITAL

Once again, the FAYM Recital will be here before we know it. We would like to remind you the importance of these events and how much we appreciate and need your support when it comes to sponsoring them.

Please mark your calendars and agendas for March 21, 2020. Keep in mind that with your participation, we really make these events a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our children and their accomplishments.

ANNOUNCEMENT

On March 21, 2020, the day of the Recital, we will be having a raffle among other activities. Also we ask of all of those who can help and/or volunteer, to be ready to give your time and/or financial support, this is very much appreciated. Remember, FAYM is a "nonprofit organization" and receives no government assistance, so we depend on you and our outside sponsors to help FAYM to bring the Arts to our youth and children in our community.

A TESTIMONY FROM ONE OF OUR FAYM PARENTS

Good afternoon, my name is Johanna Delgado. My daughter Carla Delgado and I have been fortunate to belong to such an important Organization FAYM.

I think the people who founded FAYM did it with the children and youth of our community, in mind. This decision to found such a unique organization as FAYM, has given the opportunity to many families, including mine, to be able to make our children's dreams a reality. This program has been a  blessing for many families by allowing parents to put our children in music classes. Music classes are very expensive out there and, to many parents, our budgets don’t allow for classes and often gets in the way of the good wishes that many parents have to take their children forward into the field of music.

But, thank God, to Mr. Soto, and to Mr. Ochoa who believed in my child and I and saw our effort of wanting to be part of something as special as FAYM. They had a dream that now has become a reality, it has opened doors to many parents that we would not otherwise have been able to open on our own, and now our children have the opportunity to make their  dreams, of learning music and to play a musical instrument, a reality. Thank you.

AN INTERVIEW WITH PARENT YELINA PELÁEZ

He has one child in Guitar class.

How did you hear about FAYM?
From my sister.

How long have you been with FAYM?
Four months.

How did you feel the first time you saw your child with an instrument in his hands?
I felt great!

Was your child happy to get his instrument?
She plays guitar and he owns his.

Is your child enjoying learning to play?
He loves it.

Is bringing your child to us, twice a week worth your time?
Yes, at the moment he's coming only once a week, but I would love if it could be twice a week.

Have there been any inconvenience bringing your child to the classes?
No, not at all.

Have you seen any changes in your child since he started playing?
Yes, he is now interested in playing different instruments.

Do you think other parents should take their children to music classes to places like ours?
Absolutely

What's the hardest thing for you, when it comes to make music classes possible for your child?
Always was the price, it's so expensive anywhere else. But, here at FAYM the monthly quote is so low, nothing is harder any more.

If FAYM was not here; Would your child be involved in music classes?
No!

This interview will be part of our next issue, in our next newsletter. It's there anything you would like to share or advice to other FAYM parents?
I would have to say; thank you so much for FAYM! If it wasn't for FAYM, my son would never have had the opportunity to learn to play the guitar.

AND HER SON ULICES SAENZ

What instrument do you play and why?
I play the Guitar, I love it.

What do you like about your guitar lessons?
I like the process of learning.

Is there anything that you find hard to learn?
Yes, to place my fingers the right way to find the notes.

What's your favorite thing you have learned?
To be able to play actual songs.

It's there a song you would like to learn?
Yes, "Canción a papá". A song for my old man.

How does it make you feel when you play in public?
It feels good.

How do you feel when you see your progress playing the guitar?
it makes me feel very happy.

What would you like to be when you grow up?
Not sure yet, maybe a police officer.

Do you think music can help with your goals in life?
Oh yes, I believe so.

Please join THE FAMILY OF FAYM today
by donating online (click HERE)

Black Violin Concert

On January 29, 2020 Black Violin performed at the Judy Bayley Theater. Wil B. (viola) and Kev
Marcus (violin) are classically trained string players that have played along artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Elton John. They have been featured by ESPN as the official artist of the 2017 US Open (tennis) and 2016 and 2017 Heisman Trophy Award ceremonies as well as on The Tonight Show, Ellen, The Wendy Williams Show, NPR, and more.

The Society Inc. has a local chapter that sponsored three FAYM student musicians and their parents to attend this marvelous concert! We would like to thank The Society Inc. for their generosity and support of the fine arts in Las Vegas!

Please join THE FAMILY OF FAYM today by
donating online (click HERE)

Sandro Ladu visits FAYM

Many thanks to Sandro Ladu for visiting and playing for our FAYM students early this year! Sandro, who grew up in Las Vegas and has performed worldwide, is an inspiration for us all!

Please join the Family of FAYM

You can donate directly online (click HERE) OR by mailing your check to:

FAYM: PO Box 1993; Las Vegas, NV 89125-1993.
Share your love of music with a deserving youngster.
You'll be glad you did!
(All Contributions are Tax Deductible.)

Winter Recital, 2019

You can support FAYM students at our website.
FAYM keeps our costs low by relying on highly qualified volunteers
to handle our administrative tasks.
You can be sure that your donation will go directly to scholarship assistance,
program support, and student lessons.