Mary Lynn and Room 4 music class
by craig eddy
Having already done articles on the majority of the local musical talent, I thought it time to look in on the next generation of local musicians. I met with Mary Lynn Vail the part time music teacher for the elementary kids in room four at the La Honda school. Mary Lynn is now teaching her fourth year in our area. She has a Masters in classical piano and voice. She teaches choral with the kids and is putting together a Rock n Roll production of A Mid Summer's Night Dream with around eighty kids involved. I like the fact she wants to teach the early years in an attempt to get kids excited about doing music. She loves finding kids that show interest in playing an instrument and channeling them in the right direction so they don't feel they are wasting their time on something they don't really want to do. I was forced as a kid to take piano lessons and to this day I wish I had stuck with it. The parents said, "Do It!" I said, "No way!" Mary Lynn has help from a few local musicians, Dan Newitt, Bob Deacon, and Rob Christian to name names. Also our next generation has the help of Dr. Mancho Gonzalez, the middle school band director in Pescadero, and Mitch Slater who sponsors an after school rock band in Pescadero. When I mention the depth of the local music scene Mary said" It is such a pleasure to live and work where music plays an integral role in community events and leisure activities. Mark your calendars for May 22nd and 23rd for the production of A Mid Summers Night Dream. Venue has not been decided yet but either La Honda or Pescadero. You might see some of our future stars performing there. I just might have to do a review of that show!
I thought I might add that Mary Lynn recruited a recent La Honda Elementary School graduate, my son Mario Torresan (now in 9th Grade at Pescadero High School), as the drummer to collaborate with herself, Dan, Rob, and Bob for the upcoming Midsummer Night's Dream musical production. I am happy to say that Mary Lynn has put together a dynamic, talented group of local musicians, and I am so excited to see the shows!
Mary Lynn had also recruited Mario, with Bob Deacon on guitar, for the Pescadero Elementary's Choral Holiday Performance in Dec. 2012. Mario and Bob helped the kids rock out to "California Dreamin'" and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Please come to Midsummer Night's Dream May 22nd and 23rd, at La Honda Elementary!
Posted by: Laura Torresan | May 06, 2014 at 01:01 PM