Marissa’s 15 + Years
Dear CYM Parents, Your children are the reason we come to work every day, every week, and every month of the year. Thank you for giving the teachers and staff here the opportunity to lead your music education and be part of your lives! Each developmental stage is one we cherish and rise to the challenge of together, using music to strengthen, bond, and bring out the best in your child. The following is a collection of highlights from one graduating student and parent, to whom we offer deep appreciation and our very best wishes.
Questions posed to the CYM Grad – Marissa:
What is your earliest or favorite memory of making music?
My favorite memory at CYM was playing Four-Corners in our group class. Whoever was “caught” had to perform a musical piece. In the end, we each would play a piece in class. So, perhaps, it wasn’t so random? The students that I met in that class continue to be my friends to this day. I also am thankful for the friendship, humor, and support that I have had with each of my instructors. They kept me going forward even when I was struggling with music pieces. I am in awe of their performances and talent.
What part has your music education played in helping you manage the challenges of high school and in taking your next steps in life? And, what are your plans after high school?
Throughout high school music has helped me realize that time management is more important than you would think. Having said that, I still have a lot of room for improvement! I will be attending Penn State University, Behrend Campus, in the fall with a Digital Media Major. I also plan on playing water polo throughout my college career.
Describe a situation where/when you used music to help another person.
My Grandma made a point of attending my performances (“as long as the weather cooperated”). Even when she regularly visited, she would walk into the piano room, sit down and say, “Come play something for me Marissa.” She would hear my perfected and work-in-progress pieces. Regardless of the status of a song, I would like to think that I gave her enjoyment with all of my performances. Also, in seventh grade, my chorus teacher was having difficulty finding someone to accompany all the choral music for the upcoming concert. I volunteered and played one of the songs that year. Not only did this solve his problem, it gave me the ability to gain more experience playing with the choir.
Questions posed to Marissa’s mom:
Briefly describe your lessons, a special performance, or other highlights from your family’s tenure here.
During the middle school years, Marissa participated in both an individual lesson and a group lesson with Ms. Sonia. That group lesson was the most enjoyable to witness as a parent. Not only were the students excited to be together with a group of supportive fellow musicians, the students completely enjoyed the learning and camaraderie. Marissa, Tony, Gabi, Reka & Joshua were in a nonjudgmental and supportive environment that is hard to create; it seemed so wonderfully spontaneous. As moms, we loved to sit outside the class window and listen to the performances (and gab.) A few of us women became close friends, and we remain so to this day.
Describe some of the attributes your child has developed through their education and/or relationships at CYM.
I feel Marissa has learned grace and poise when performing. She has had some perfect performances; she has had a few with a “hiccup” or two. As parents, we are proud of all of her performances. However, we are most proud when Marissa had a performance where there was a “hiccup” because it demonstrated her character of remaining calm, quickly regrouping herself, and pushing forward to completion. By the way, I’m pretty sure that only I (mom) and the teacher knew that there was a “hiccup”; she handled them that well.
What can you share with parents of younger students in regard to what you see as the benefits of “sticking with it”, now that your child has graduated from high school?
Because of CYM, Marissa accompanied the school chorus from 6th through 10th grades. Some of the pieces were very challenging; to perform them, her musical skills had to grow. We are grateful that both of her piano teachers – Ms. Sonia and Ms. Grace – were flexible and supportive to allow Marissa to bring that music to her lesson. It is because of their support that Marissa did so well in those choral accompaniments. Even though Marissa will not be a music major in college, we feel that her performances were an opportunity for us–and her–to see her potential in whatever career path she eventually chooses. The skills of perseverance, being aware of the whole group, adjusting one’s approach to on-the-moment changes, and being willing to put oneself “out there” in front of a large group . . . are all good. It’s hard to believe that this all started with a toddler music class with Mr. Mark; her first bow was in 2018. Through her time at CYM, Marissa has had 4 piano teachers (Ms. Michelle, Ms. Rowena, Ms. Sonia and Ms. Grace) and even took cello lessons from Mr. Ryan. We are amazed by the CYM instructors and their talent. Thank you all, especially Ms. Grace, for keeping Marissa moving forward. While our youngest daughter, Emily, will be continuing with CYM, we are going to miss this chapter in our life.
