Regan, her school and Joshua Bell

Regan has been taking violin for almost this whole school year and seems to be enjoying it.  Joshua Bell, a famous American violinist, was in town for a performance and to the string instrument students' excitement, he came to visit our school.  After hearing he would be in Abu Dhabi, a middle school student wrote to him asking if he would come to our school (I'm not sure which student this was but am very impressed with his or her initiative!).

He got together with the kids at the school who play string instruments, gave them a little advice and tips, told them about himself and played for them.  Regan was amazed at what he could play (and how fast).  She also wasn't very impressed with how he dressed - "Mom!  He just had an old ratty t-shirt on and he's a famous violinist!"

I wasn't that familiar with Joshua Bell but did remember this video that was shared a lot (and was mentioned in several books and articles) about how he played in a DC Metro station and whether people knew they were listening to a world-class player (a few people did stop and listen and one woman definitely recognized him).

Here is Regan and the other students with Joshua Bell (we see the side of Regan in the blue skirt right in the front on the right).  It doesn't work out for us to take Regan to see his performance but hopefully this little interaction was fun and inspiring for her.

Here is Regan practicing her violin (Go Tell Aunt Rhody)

Love that look of concentration

The famous video of Joshua Bell in the DC Metro station