Community music school plays important role in community

Alyssa Coolidge found her musical passion at an early age.

The only problem was that the tuba — her instrument of choice — practically towered over her and had to be carried on stage at one of her recitals.

But that was no deterrent for Coolidge, who quickly enrolled at the Community Music School at the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs and has been belting out tunes ever since.

Teachers at the school teach an array of instruments to kids looking for a way to express themselves, as well as adults who want to reconnect with their musical backgrounds from childhood.

“We really want our children to enjoy music because when you start making music, you can continue into your 90s,” said school director Peter Lewis. “For our older students it’s an activity they can enjoy and look forward too as they age.”

Coolidge plans to age with the tuba no matter how long it takes to perfect her skills at the school.

“She wants to be a tuba player and when I found out I about fell over, but she has the passion for it and this school is the perfect place for lessons,” said Bonnie Coolidge of her now 12-year-old daughter who discovered the golden instrument while watching a high school marching band video in elementary school.

Lewis, who put together the program in 1998 and is currently teaching more than 60 students at the school, sees the program as a chance to connect with the community and offer a unique service other places don't.

“We started the school because Bonita Springs is located between Naples and Fort Myers and it was a good place for people to get music lessons without having to drive very far,” Lewis said.

“Music is a big part of Christian worship and this is one of the ways to have an outreach ministry too.”

Aspiring musicians don't have to be Christian nor attend the First Presbyterian Church to sign up for the 17-week classes that are offered in fall and spring.

“We have students from churches all over Bonita Springs, Naples and Estero who want to spend their free time in an important way that develops their mind, body and soul,” Lewis said.

Cheryl Bauer is an administrator and flute teacher at the school who takes pride in being able to offer classes in piano, brass, woodwinds, saxophone, French horn and guitar at the school.

“It's a great program that is here for everyone no matter what they want to learn,” said Cheryl, who is in charge of registering students for two group experience classes including a band for seniors and a program for children six months to three years of age.

The Music Mommy & Me program is offered on Tuesdays as a group experience where kids and their parents sing, have playtime and move to the music.

“We always start out with the basics because musical activity stimulates every learning center in the brain simultaneously and from that perspective, it's an important education tool,” Lewis said. “If you provide the highest quality instruction in a loving, nurturing and comfortable atmosphere, people will come back and refer others. That's what we are doing with the music school.”

Group adds fun to homeschooled children

Some parents opt to homeschool their children because it gives them the ability to control what their kids learn and provide a personal and attentive atmospheres.

But making friends can sometimes be hard for homeschooled kids and that’s why Karen Rodriguez helped create the Bonita-Estero Homeschool group.

“We get all the kids together and they get to know each other and make friends,” said Rodriguez, who has been in the group since its inception a year ago. “They get to be with one another and that’s something they don’t get at home.”

Rodriguez has two children of her own that she homeschools but works to keep them involved and in contact with others, which is the premise of the group that includes about ten families.

“There weren’t any homeschool groups happening in the Bonita and Estero area so we started it to give kids an outlet,” said Eileen Boswell, who homeschools her children and co-founded the group.

She got interested in the group with Rodriguez after she kept seeing the same parents and children at difference activities throughout the area.

“It was just time to start our own since we kept seeing each other everywhere. We are always looking for programs that are happening in the community and we take our kids,” said Rodriguez, of Bonita Springs.

The homeschool group is simply an outlet for kids to have fun and doesn’t specialize in helping others become homeschooler parents.

“We let our members know what is happening in the community and let each other know what is going on,” said Rodriguez who is the outgoing director of the group. “We don’t do legal issues but focus on getting the kids together.”

Keeping the children involved has proved a challenge for the group at times but they have been able to visit local attractions like the estuary, science camp and the Nina Ship at Tin City in Naples.

“We try to get the kids together for extra curricular activities and this year we are running a music program for the kids,” Rodriguez. “It’s a great way to get the kids involved outside of what they learn at home.”

The programs the group participates in are decided by the members at monthly meetings where everyone is invited to attend.

“On Monday we will have a meeting and figure out what we are going to do for the year,” said Boswell, who added that parents bring ideas for outings based on things the children would find interesting.

The group meets every third Monday of the month at the Hope Lutheran Church in Bonita Springs at 4:30 p.m.

“We don’t focus a whole bunch on educating the kids,” Boswell said. “Our focus is on socialization and this group is more about having fun with the kids.”