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Aidan Tweedy
Grade 9
R.C. Murphy JHS
For most people, playing in orchestra at school is just playing the violin, viola, cello or bass for 45 minutes, and then going about the rest of their day. But for me, it was different. Mrs. Lisanti-Levy, my now retired orchestra teacher was a mentor, and more to me. She inspired me to listen to different types of music that I wouldn’t normally listen to in order to broaden my music taste. I also got several opportunities to express my musical ability in ways that a normal student usually wouldn’t be able to do because of her. Lastly, and probably the most important way which proves that Mrs. Lisanti-Levy was an amazing and inspiring teacher was that she encouraged me to continue pursuing music, never give up, and go as far as I can with it.
Mrs. Lisanti-Levy inspired me to broaden my musical horizons and to try and listen to different types of music. Before I met Mrs. Lisanti-Levy, I only listened to bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and other punk/pop-punk bands. Obviously, I did not have that much diversity. However, being in the orchestra with Mrs. Lisanti-Levy exposed me to different musical styles such as Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. Once I realized that I liked other types of music, I started listening to new music on my own time, like The Smashing Pumpkins and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Without her inspiring me, I might still only be listening to one genre of music, and never discover other, great bands and types of music.
With Mrs. Lisanti-Levy, I got several opportunities to express my musical ability, playing the guitar. I have been playing the guitar for the past three years, and it is my passion. I strive to become as good as I can at. One day in the 8th grade as we were putting away our instruments after an orchestra rehearsal, Mrs. Lisanti-Levy asked if anyone played the guitar, because we were playing Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix for our winter concert. Once I said that I played the guitar, she asked if I wanted to play it along with the orchestra at the concert. I was very nervous about it, and I didn’t know the song at all, but she helped me learn the song and practice it with the orchestra. I also got to play Kashmir by Led Zeppelin on the guitar at our next orchestra concert. Both of these experiences gave me opportunities to express my musical ability in a way that most kids would not be able to experience.
Lastly, Mrs. Lisanti-Levy encouraged me to continue pursuing music, and to go as far as I can with it. Through many different experiences, she showed us, the orchestra, that music can be a lot of fun, and is more than just notes put together to form a melody. It is easy to tell that she loves what she does, and enjoys being around music all of the time. This attitude is what showed me that music is something you can pursue you entire life, just as she did herself, because it is always changing.
For me, orchestra was my favorite period of the day with Mrs. Lisanti-Levy. She always had a positive attitude and was available for help all of the time. She genuinely wanted to help people pursue their music dreams, and she definitely helped me on the path to pursue mine by inspiring me to listen to new music, giving me opportunities to express my musical ability, and encouraging me to pursue music all my life. Mrs. Lisanti-Levy truly is an inspirational person, and helped me grow to my fullest potential in the form of music.
Grade 9
R.C. Murphy JHS
For most people, playing in orchestra at school is just playing the violin, viola, cello or bass for 45 minutes, and then going about the rest of their day. But for me, it was different. Mrs. Lisanti-Levy, my now retired orchestra teacher was a mentor, and more to me. She inspired me to listen to different types of music that I wouldn’t normally listen to in order to broaden my music taste. I also got several opportunities to express my musical ability in ways that a normal student usually wouldn’t be able to do because of her. Lastly, and probably the most important way which proves that Mrs. Lisanti-Levy was an amazing and inspiring teacher was that she encouraged me to continue pursuing music, never give up, and go as far as I can with it.
Mrs. Lisanti-Levy inspired me to broaden my musical horizons and to try and listen to different types of music. Before I met Mrs. Lisanti-Levy, I only listened to bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and other punk/pop-punk bands. Obviously, I did not have that much diversity. However, being in the orchestra with Mrs. Lisanti-Levy exposed me to different musical styles such as Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. Once I realized that I liked other types of music, I started listening to new music on my own time, like The Smashing Pumpkins and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Without her inspiring me, I might still only be listening to one genre of music, and never discover other, great bands and types of music.
With Mrs. Lisanti-Levy, I got several opportunities to express my musical ability, playing the guitar. I have been playing the guitar for the past three years, and it is my passion. I strive to become as good as I can at. One day in the 8th grade as we were putting away our instruments after an orchestra rehearsal, Mrs. Lisanti-Levy asked if anyone played the guitar, because we were playing Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix for our winter concert. Once I said that I played the guitar, she asked if I wanted to play it along with the orchestra at the concert. I was very nervous about it, and I didn’t know the song at all, but she helped me learn the song and practice it with the orchestra. I also got to play Kashmir by Led Zeppelin on the guitar at our next orchestra concert. Both of these experiences gave me opportunities to express my musical ability in a way that most kids would not be able to experience.
Lastly, Mrs. Lisanti-Levy encouraged me to continue pursuing music, and to go as far as I can with it. Through many different experiences, she showed us, the orchestra, that music can be a lot of fun, and is more than just notes put together to form a melody. It is easy to tell that she loves what she does, and enjoys being around music all of the time. This attitude is what showed me that music is something you can pursue you entire life, just as she did herself, because it is always changing.
For me, orchestra was my favorite period of the day with Mrs. Lisanti-Levy. She always had a positive attitude and was available for help all of the time. She genuinely wanted to help people pursue their music dreams, and she definitely helped me on the path to pursue mine by inspiring me to listen to new music, giving me opportunities to express my musical ability, and encouraging me to pursue music all my life. Mrs. Lisanti-Levy truly is an inspirational person, and helped me grow to my fullest potential in the form of music.
