When the Student Becomes the Teacher

Story time with Lalia…

At our last GCI (Grafton Correctional Institution) concert, Renovare had the pleasure of performing our “Dancing Through Life” program. GCI is a medium security men’s prison that we go to weekly to teach strings class and/or perform. Right before performing our “Dancing Through Life” concert, Rebecca and I taught our weekly strings class. At the end of class, I passed out solo pieces to all of the violinists and violists with specific instructions on how to practice the piece. There are certain tips that I repeat often in class, one of them being “curve your pinky on the bow!”

In “DancingThrough Life”, there is a moment where Rebecca and I invite our listeners into the process of improvising. We let our listeners choose from a stack of cards with instructions on them (i.e. fast or slow, happy or sad, etc.,). Our listeners get to choose a few of these cards that put both me and Rebecca on the spot to improvise based on these instructions. When it was my turn to be put on the spot, one of our students jumped up very eager to choose cards for me. As he handed them to me he said: “Now, I want you to keep your bow in the string, stay in lane 3, remember to breathe, and make sure your tone is beautiful!” All the other audience members who are in our in class started joining in shouting out tips to their teacher that they usually hear in class.

I doubled over laughing at the fact that I was now being taught by my students. I’ve seen these guys work so hard, and I watch them improve every week. They show up eager to learn and stay attentive throughout the entire 90 minute class. They ask thoughtful questions that keep me on my toes as a teacher. It’s inspiring to me knowing that these guys show up to class every week and do their best to practice between classes, even in very less than ideal circumstances.