Eagle Point Elementary Launches Violin Program

Imagine starting an orchestra online and amid a pandemic! That is exactly what Eagle Point Elementary did. For over ten years, 17 violins sat collecting dust in a music closet because there was no one qualified to provide instruction. That all changed during the summer leading into the 2020-2021 school year when Ms. de Zayas, Principal of Eagle Point Elementary, interviewed and hired Dr. Felix Spengler to launch their music orchestra class. Dr. Spengler learned to play the violin and piano as a young boy in Cuba. He has shared his gift and talent on stages across the world and has even played in Carnegie Hall.

Eagle Point already had a Foundational Music program that all students participated in. By introducing a Music Orchestra program, the vision was for primary students to continue to attend Foundational Music class and the intermediate students (Grades 3-5) would rotate through the Orchestra class, learn to read music, learn to play an instrument, and could audition for the school’s orchestra.

The response from students wanting to join the violin class during the pandemic was so overwhelming they ran out of violins. Luckily, the Florida Youth Orchestra stepped in and donated over 30 violins at the start of this school year. Today, over 50 students participate in either the beginning or advanced violin program and many have expressed interest in joining next school year. This past December, Eagle Point Elementary orchestra students showcased their talent at their second violin orchestra. Use the QR code to watch a video produced by Luis Medellin on the school orchestra.

The Eagle Point Elementary is located at 100 Indian Trace, Weston FL 33326. Their principal is Christine De Zayas-Fernandez. They can be reached at (754)323-5250