El Sistema Aeolian gives the gift of music to children in London, Ont.
More than 100 kids and youth will perform a holiday concert Thursday
When Maria Gonzalez was about eight years old, her family couldn't afford the extra expense of classical music training. However, she learned to play violin at a free El Sistema program in Venezuela.
"It was life-changing," said Gonzalez. "For me, it's been the greatest opportunity of my life."
Today, she teaches violin to children at El Sistema Aeolin in London, Ont., giving back to children who were once in her shoes, having just completed a Master's degree in Viola Performance at Western University.
"It's a full circle moment. I'm immensely proud. I see myself in the kids," she said.
About 130 children and youth gather a few days each week at First St. Andrew's United Church for an after-school music program featuring everything from orchestra to choir and piano lessons for kids who face barriers to music lessons.
The participants, aged six to 18, come from all over the city to participate — and many are newcomers from around the world. This time of year, they're busy practicing for their holiday concert at Aeolian Hall on Thursday, Dec. 14.
LISTEN | El Sistema Aeolian breaks barriers to classical music education:
El Sistema Aeolian is based on a program launched in Venezuela in the 70s as a social action project. The program has since spread to around the world, running in nearly 90 countries. Gonzalez has taught in Colombia, Venezuela and now, London.
"It's very important because this is a space where the students come to learn music without being so strict in an academic way. We strive for excellence and to do their best, but we still have this space where they are always welcome — and we encourage them to learn and to feel secure," said Gonzalez.
"I see them flourish," she said. "I see them being more confident in themselves. I see them be proud of their achievements. I see them making friendships."
That's true for her student Melissa Villaquiran.
"This is a fun place, and you can learn a lot of songs — and there's a lot of instruments," said the nine-year-old.
"The thing that I like about playing the violin is, well, the teachers are so kind and I like music. I like the sound of it, and the songs are beautiful," said Melissa, who started playing the violin three years ago.
She's excited for Thursday's concert, where everyone can listen to her play on the stage, she said.
WATCH | London after-school music program preps for holiday concert:
Her brother Carlos Villaquiran, 11, first picked up the violin about five years ago when he joined El Sistema Aeolian. For him, it's all about the challenge.
"My favourite part of it is that I get to play actually one of the most hardest instruments in the world," said Villaquiran. "It's very fun because it sounds nice and it also has challenging notes to play when you play hard songs."
He's already nervous about the holiday concert, he said, but won't yet reveal a secret song they'll be playing together.
"It's a surprise," he said.
'It's trying to level the playing field,' says founder
El Sistema Aeolian was first launched in 2011 when Clark Bryan, founder and executive director of Aeolian Hall, brought the program to London.
"It is really the idea of providing access to high-quality music education for everyone, not just for the elite or the middle class. So it's trying to level the playing field," he said.
"The reason I get out of bed in the morning is to be able to give this gift of music, and the gift of community with it."
They've developed a social curriculum and leadership class as part of the program helping them build transferable skills, he said.
"We have huge inequity in education in Canada. You go to one elementary school, they have nothing — and you go to another and they have choirs and orchestras and everything else. It's completely wrong. It goes against my values as a Canadian," he said.
"I think we all need to work really hard to make sure that every child gets the opportunity to have the arts."
The upcoming holiday concert will feature a mix of serene and joyous music, and everything in between, he said, including holiday favourites like Silent Night, Auld Land Syne and Mr. Santa.
El Sistema Aeolian's ensembles and orchestra will perform at Aeolian Hall located at 795 Dundas St. in London, Ont., on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
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