By Nova Safo, 18, USC School of Music

“”Art is a fundamental part of human nature—it’s one way we grapple with ideas.”
— Deborah Meier, educator
Small Wonders is a documentary film about the work of Roberta Tzavaras, a 48-year-old violin teacher in three East Harlem elementary schools.
WAIT!!!! Before you move on to the next article because this sounds like one of those tediously boring videos they make you watch in school, PLEASE believe me—this is one of the best films ever made!!!
It’s the same concept as “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” only the music is better, the story is honest, and the acting is much more believable. That’s because it’s real life filmed as it was happening.
You see the beginners struggle with the awesome task of taking a violin—a bundle of wood, wires and horsehair—and making it sound good.
You feel the emotions right with the students: the pain as they work to learn their instrument, the tension as they are about to begin a concert, and the great sense of accomplishment when they know that they have achieved something special.
The film showed the students playing the Vivaldi Double Concerto in a class for Isaac Stern, one of the greatest violinists of this century. They played the Star-Spangled Banner at a New York Knicks basketball game. They played the Bach Double Concerto at Carnegie Hall alongside 14 of the world’s greatest living violinists, such as Midori, Itzhak Perlman, Arnold Steinhardt (Guarneri Quartet), Ani and Ida Kavafian, and others.
There was not a note out of place. They gave perfect performances. These elementary school kids could play better than most high school students.
And it was made possible by their fiery, energetic violin teacher, Roberta Tzavaras. “I’m a bit of a nut,” she says, when asked about what keeps her motivated despite the lack of support from the school system.
She said she loves the dress rehearsal held right before their big year-end concert, when the new students play with the more experienced ones. “I always have to bring Kleenex because… they are so proud… It’s like a thrilling experience.”
According to Tzavaras, all of the above and the incomparable media attention was triggered in 1991 when, after an 11-year career, her job was cut from the school budget. The cuts went through despite her students’ talent, and the support of parents and the community.
She and her friends decided to take action. They wrote to the media and other musicians asking them to help any way they could. The media responded with stories in the New York Times, on Primetime Live, and on the local news.
Legendary violinists Itzhak Perlman, Isaac Stern and Arnold Steinhardt, saw the news and became firm supporters of Tzavaras’ work.
Steinhardt helped organize the Carnegie Hall concert. This fundraiser and other efforts pay Tzavaras’ salary, enabling her to continue her award-winning work, even though the school district will no longer pay for the program.
Since the filming of the documentary in 1993, her program has grown from 130 to 170 students. She also trains young musicians from local conservatories on how to be good teachers.
She is a firm believer in teaching how to teach. According to her, being a good musician doesn’t mean you can be a good teacher. She is leading a battle to get major conservatories, communities, and school boards to recognize the need for better teachers and music education.
Tzavaras believes that music is a very important part of a child’s education. And she wants the process to start in elementary school, where kids can most easily learn.
For her, a few music appreciation classes in high school are too little, too late, “…It’s after the fact,” she says.
She hopes that the film will open people’s eyes and make them see that music is important. “[It’s] about what children can do if you believe in them, if you just give them a shot… give them a chance… If you really make them believe they’re good, they can do anything.”
Small Wonder opens in limited release on October 18. Check local listings.”