A tween shares her ‘gift’ of music | Lifestyles

Victoria Huyler’s Sunday school teacher at Calvary Bible Church took ill. She and her peers were encouraged to share a poem, card, or something that would encourage Barbara Sawyer. Victoria, a pianist, told her mother that she wanted to do a musical tribute. Charleen Huyler recorded her daughter playing. They sent the video to Sawyer, who is now deceased, in an effort to bring a little hope into her life at the time.

Doing that also lit within Victoria, a passion to share her gift of music which she has dubbed “The Miracles of Music” – a set of eight pieces featuring a mix of traditional Christmas, classical and spiritual songs.

“The Miracles of Music” is Victoria’s desire to share her “gift of music” with people who are sick and shut-in, and the elderly living in retirement homes.

“I did it to bring encouragement to the people and I plan to continue,” said the 11-year-old sixth-grade student at Xavier’s Lower School (XLS).

She said it is a delight for her to share her gift of music with the intent of bringing hope, joy and encouragement to others.

Her first performance was for residents of Unity House. She followed that up playing in two private homes for people who were shut-in.

Victoria’s eight-piece “Miracles of Music” set featured the songs, “The First Noel” — traditional; “Waltz in A Minor” — Chopin; “Passacaglia” – George F. Handel; “My Tribute” – Andrae Crouch”; (Go Tell It On the Mountain” – traditional; “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” – Thomas Chisholm; What Child Is This?” – William Dix; and “The First Noel” – Carol Matz arrangement.

“I felt very happy to do this especially when I saw tears in the eyes of one of the shut-ins. Another person told me how blessed she was when I played “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and so I played it again for her.

Victoria’s performances took place over her school winter break. She said she plans to continue to play for residents of other retirement homes, shut-ins and people who have lost loved ones – at least once a month, as she juggles school and her other activities.

Victoria began piano lessons at age four – introduced to the world of music by her mother.

“I wanted to learn many instruments and my mother said that I should write them down and start with the piano. I still have the piece of paper that I wrote on when I was four and a half [years old]. I do not remember how I felt the first day of piano lessons, but I remember how nice my teacher was and this made me very comfortable with the piano.”

The primary-school student said it is her goal to master the piano and perform in concert. She also has aspirations of becoming a pilot, and says on her still young life, she has not figured out how she will do both, yet.

Victoria did not connect her learning to play piano and her academics, which she said she looked at as two different things. But she said they both require discipline and sacrifice.

Victoria puts in 45 minutes to one-hour piano practices daily and sometimes has to miss a day or two when she is swamped with school work.

“I do not get to watch TV during the week so that I can pay attention to my schoolwork, music and other involvements. My mother sometimes tells me that I am a very busy child because of all the things I enjoy doing so something has to give.”

She watches her favorite shows on weekends and school breaks.

On her last report card, she had a 93.90 percent average.

“Education helps me to learn more about the world we live in,” said the sixth-grade student. “I also believe in academic excellence and work diligently to always produce my best work.”

In July, Victoria was one of five Bahamian students that were able to take advantage of Bahamian jazz trumpeter Giveton Gelin’s educational initiative #InTheShed. Victoria, along with Iyrelle Hilton, Jaron Francis, Jordan Ritchie and Christopher Hilton, attended The Manhattan School of Music (MSM), one of the most prestigious conservatories in the world.

They spent three weeks at MSM and with Gelin, who introduced them to artists and networking for connections that could become valuable to them as they pursue their dreams. It was Gelin’s way of inspiring the next generation.

“I went to this very same program when I was 14-15 [years old], courtesy of my mentor, Adrian D’Aguilar, and this was how I knew about it, and it made me the musician I am today,” the Juilliard School graduate told The Nassau Guardian.

“I got my first start with music and learning more about music at MSM. This was an opportunity given to me by someone who saw my talent, so this is my opportunity to look back,” said Gelin.

Victoria described the summer 2024 experience as “exciting” – because she was around musicians all the time in a big city.”

“I learnt about different genres of music and the timeline of music from the 1700s.

“I came back home a different person because my understanding of music had grown.”

Her #InTheShed experience she said led her to start learning music pieces on her own.

“My music teacher [Vanessa Carey] was very supportive and adjusted my music curriculum to continue my growth and new interests. I also came to understand the power of music to encourage people and this brought about my outreach called ‘Miracles of Music’ with the goal of bringing hope, joy and encouragement,” said Victoria.

The tween will host a benefit concert at Xavier’s Lower School auditorium on January 24. She will be performing with the students she attended MSM with over the summer, Terez Davis, Anthony Munnings, XLS music teacher and W2 Dance School with proceeds to benefit her charities of choice.

[ad_1]

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}

[ad_2]