VIDEO: See how kids learn more than music through Prodigy violin lessons.Click here
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The Florida Orchestra and the University Area CDC’s Prodigy® Cultural Arts Program announce student showcase recitals and field trips to wrap up the summer session of violin lessons offered at several recreation centers in Hillsborough County.
The group violin lessons have grown from 46 students at one site to more than 100 students at five sites since the program started about one year ago, in the summer of 2018. The groundbreaking partnership between The Florida Orchestra and the Prodigy® Cultural Arts Program provides the lessons taught by TFO instructors, instrument rental and other musical experiences for free to children who might not have the opportunity any other way, thanks to funding from the University Area CDC and Hillsborough County. Lessons have been offered twice a week at the Roy Haynes, Cyrus Greene, Thonotosassa and Gardenville recreation centers, along with a violin boot camp for continuing students at the University Area Community Center in Tampa.
Students will show their achievements at these showcase recitals. Interested media can arrange access through Kelly Smith at The Florida Orchestra:
- Tuesday, July 23, 5 pm: Roy Haynes Recreation Center, 1902 S Village Ave., Tampa
- Thursday, July 25, 1 pm: Cyrus Greene Recreation Center, 2101 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
Tampa
- Thursday, July 25, 5:30 pm: Gardenville Recreation Center, 6219 Symmes Road, Gibsonton
- Friday, July 26, 6 pm: Violin Boot Camp combined showcase with the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 400 N Ashley Drive, Tampa (Click here for more information)
- Friday, July 26, 6 pm: Thonotosassa Recreation Center, 10132 Skewlee Road, Thonotosassa
- Tuesday, July 30, 7 pm: Cyrus Greene Recreation Center combined showcase at Barksdale Community Center, 1801 N Lincoln Ave., Tampa
Students also will go on a field trip to Violin Shop Tampa to learn how violins are made. The schedule is:
- Tuesday, July 30, 10:30 am: Thonotosassa students
- Wednesday, July 31, 1 pm: Gardenville students
- Tuesday, August 6, 11 am: Roy Haynes students
Prodigy®, a research proven diversion and prevention program, uses an innovative approach to empower, educate and enable eligible youth, providing a doorway to a better world. Kids ages five to 18 experience performing and visual arts, taught as a tool for self-expression, to learn communication, exploration, problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Now celebrating its 19th year, Prodigy® is transforming young lives and reaches across 10 counties. More information is available at www.uacdc.org/prodigy.
VIDEO: See how kids learn more than music through Prodigy® violin lessons. Click here
For previous news release on The Florida Orchestra/Prodigy® partnership, click here
The Florida Orchestra is recognized as Tampa Bay’s leading performing arts institution, the largest professional orchestra in Florida, and one of the most vibrant and innovative orchestras in America. This is its 52nd season. Under the leadership of Music Director Michael Francis, it performs more than 130 concerts a season, with series of classical, popular, and morning coffee concerts in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as free Pops in the Park concerts. Dedicated to bringing music to all people, connecting to the community is a priority, with pre-concert talks, family and youth concerts and other educational activities. To buy tickets: floridaorchestra.org and 727.892.3337 or 1.800.662.7286.