May 06, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

The sound of music

by Terry Tang

In Lisa Chu's beginning violin class, the 3-year-old students aren't the only ones expected to pay attention.

Knelt beside each child is a parent, poised to pick up either a bow or violin. The extra hand frees the kids to separately practice holding their instruments.

The adults then move back to their chairs and the small classroom at Cubberley Community Center becomes an imaginary stage. Chu now must attract the three youngsters' focus away from their parents. And she reminds them that the performance continues after the final note.

"Feet together and count to three for the bow," Chu said. "We bend at the waist and look at our shoes."

Combining repertory structure with a preschool approach is what distinguishes The Music Within Us from most programs. Since the school's inception eight months ago, Chu has seen enrollment grow from two to 12 students. Beyond intense instruction, students are also offered opportunities to play in front of a live audience.

Having already organized two local concerts, Chu is finally starting to see the fruits of her artistic labor.

More than a year ago, Chu was on the fast track as one of the youngest investment professionals at a Cleveland venture capital firm. After studying at the University of Michigan Medical School, the Harvard graduate worked in finance for life science companies.

But teaching the full-time to children remained a "secret retirement dream." Upon much ruminating, she decided not to defer the dream until her golden years.

"Plenty of people thought I was crazy," Chu said. "Who would walk away from that kind of financial reward and security? When they heard me talk about it, those ideas of 'she's crazy' went away. They saw it came from a heartfelt desire and passion."

Frequent business trips helped her see the Peninsula as the perfect choice to set up shop. Fascinated by the idea of California living, Chu felt Palo Alto provided a cultural niche where families might prefer her program.

By May of last year, Chu moved out west.

From there, she publicized The Music Within Us via the Internet and community events where parents were likely to show up. The high level of commitment is expected from students and parents from lesson one. Children, between ages 2 1/2 and 7 are eligible to enroll in the nine-month program, which mirrors an academic school year.

Tuition is paid by the semester and parents attend a mandatory free seminar on the program.

When interviewing interested parents, she is upfront about the need for their long-term participation at home and in class.

"It's challenging for all parents in the beginning. It's up to parents to create the right environment. Teaching is important but it's as important for parents to translate what I teach. It's that final step that I can't make for them," she said.

Above everything, each child must demonstrate some affinity for music. As reflected in the program's name, Chu believes that affection is inherent in everyone. Still, parents often worry about appearing pushy by sending their preschoolers to music lessons. But early childhood may be the most opportune time to nurture musical abilities.

"Once the foundation is laid, things are basically set -- the family routine, daily habits; the muscles are already set in their plasticity and what they're able to learn."

Chu initially teaches new students to feel comfortable in their posture and position with the violin. In fact, four to six weeks may pass before they even pick up the bow. Once they use the bow, they'll find themselves playing standing-up, sitting and even lying flat on their backs. Depending on their progress, students generally learn to read notes the second year.

Another aspect of training younger students is to conduct their weekly lessons in groups no bigger than four. In addition, they attend a bi-monthly, all-ages repertoire class. According to Chu, group lessons foster mutual, more enjoyable learning. Students then transfer into private lessons at an age-appropriate time.

The learning curve isn't traced by the level or number of pieces a child can master. For the entire first year, Chu typically assigns only one song, a two-note number titled "See Saw." They're urged to practice at home two to three times a day in 10-minute increments. Doing daily exercises, she said, will teach them respect for hard work.

"By doing anything every day and seeing a tangible outcome, it builds their self-esteem and confidence in themselves," Chu said. "I don't expect them to go into music professionally. But, that doesn't mean they can't go after other things. Twenty years from now, what you'll have is the process that you went through."

Nica Uk, who drives from Union City, said she enjoys watching the change in her 4-year-old daughter, Soria.

"She's gotten more excited about playing the pieces and she sees herself progressing," Uk said. "Her attention focus has increased. Now, she wants to practice longer."

Chu has lived the lessons she's passing on. At age 3, she began taking piano lessons. A year later, watching her brother and other friends at lessons with renowned violin instructor Betty Haag-Kuhnke, she pleaded to take on a second instrument. Under her tutelage, Chu was one of more than 100 students who went on tour, playing sites like Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Vatican.

On May 22, eight of Chu's students -- with families in tow -- will perform at her mentor's annual concert in Chicago. The 30th anniversary gala will take place at Orchestra Hall, a venue on the same scale as San Francisco's Davies Symphony Hall.

As a child, Chu saw each concert as a magical opportunity to dress up and entertain. She wants her students to come away with the same sentiments.

"Even putting on performing clothes has them stepping on a new level," Chu said. "Walking on stage, there's nothing like that. Performing gives them a spark to keep going."

The kids will likely absorb plenty of wattage at the Chicago event. They will play alongside Haag-Kuhnke's 300 past and present pupils before an audience of a 1,000. Returning as a teacher leaves Chu feeling a special responsibility.

"This group not only represents themselves but they represent me and several programs. That's why I'm trying to instill with the parents and the kids that this is not a free-for-all," she said. "We're invited as guests and this is a unique opportunity because I'm one of her students. The people she invites have a connection to her and they have the care and attention in their teaching that meets her standards."

The Music Within Us is presently a one-woman production. From maintaining the school's Web site to finding a boutique that sells the right attire, Chu has little time for solo performances. Not that she's complaining. She occasionally will take on a social gig such as playing the strolling violinist at last October's Palo Alto Black and White Ball. But Chu, who would like to increase attendance to 40 or 50 students, is perfectly content helping others into the spotlight.

"I've been very strong in my beliefs. I'm very lucky to be making a living at something I love. I worked hard to get it but I took a big risk to make that happen."

For more information, call (650) 325-2194 or visit www.themusicwithinus.com.

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