Lessons in Harlem

Today I went to church in Harlem at the new LDS Chapel. Here is a picture of the beatuiful building. The construction was under the direction of the temple committee of the church.

I teach piano lessons to members of the spanish speaking congregation after church. Here is a picture of our class.

The Harman Grant is making it possible for these students to have music books, and a keyboard that is leant to them to practice on. If they practice and make good progress, they can receive a coupon for their own keyboard to keep. The first keyboard that they were leant, goes to the next student and the cycle continues. We are making great progress. In two weeks, Felipe Munoz will be playing a solo special musical number in Sacrament Meeting. Some of the challeges are those that accompany group lessons, mainly lack of individual attention. But the majority of the students have never had musical instruction before, and can now count basic rhythms, read notes in both clefs, and can play one line melodies. This is a great achievement as piano lessons are not a major part of the students cultural background. I am quite proud of their accomplishments.