The City of Salem Schools sponsors a program where elementary and middle school students receive free violin lessons after school at East Salem and GW Carver elementary and Andrew Lewis Middle.

The students had 2 recitals in March: One at the Taubman Museum in downtown Roanoke. It was well attended, sounded great and the art was a fantastic backdrop.  A family day to be sure.

The String Instructor for City of Salem is Geronimo Oyenard of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.

Tuesday, March 29, there was  a recital including Roanoke County, Salem City and the Roanoke Youth Symphony String Ensemble at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology.  The after-school program kids got to play with the RYSSE and it was amazing.  This program was initiated in January 2009 and is a collaborative effort of Salem City Schools and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (RSO).

RSO String Instructor, Mr. Geronimo Oyenard, teaches Suzuki-based violin for elementary and middle school-aged children in weekly group classes that are held after-school.

The Roanoke Youth Symphony String Ensemble Conductor: Mrs. Joanne Steele Roanoke County After-School Strings Instructor, Mrs. Yi-wen Evans Salem City School After-School Violin Strings Instructor, Mr. Geronimo Oyenard.

Submitted by Stacey Danstrom