Fiddlefest - Roberta Guaspari - Tzavaras and her East Harlem Violin Program

In 1980 Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras began giving violin lessons to students from a number of public grade schools in East Harlem, New York. The principle underlying her work is that making music in groups can offer the urban youth more than just learning how to play an instrument. It stimulates their social and intellectual development, it boosts their self-image and it gives them discipline. In 1991 the subsidy for her East Harlem Violin Program was discontinued. However, with her contagious enthusiasm and tenacity Roberta managed to procure help from many people, including famous violinists like Isaac Stern and Itzhak Perlman, so she could continue her lessons. By now, she has about 150 students ranging from six to thirteen years old. Fiddlefest follows this inspired violin teacher for two years. We see her working with beginners at their school and during their very first concert. The older students, who in fact reach a remarkable standard, receive a master class from Isaac Stern. We also see a large group play the national anthem for a competition in Madison Square Garden. Finally we are witness to a special performance in Carnegie Hall, where the children play together with some of the greatest violinists of classical, jazz and country music.