Music teacher, students hit right note with community

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Emma Eis sits in front of the piano, the sheet music turned to Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

It’s one of the 10-year-old’s last practice sessions with music teacher Jessica Klein before she’s set to perform it in front of an audience just a few days later. But disaster happens — she stubs her finger.

Yet, the show must go on, as Emma joins more than 30 students taught by Klein to entertain residents of the Atria Riverdale senior assisted living facility.

Playing for the senior citizens like those who live in the Atria wasn’t originally just a way to give back to the community.

“I couldn’t get the kids to practice if they had nothing to practice for,” Klein said. “I wracked my brain with how I could get these kids to practice and appreciate what they are doing, and be excited. I thought about all of the older communities in our area that needed uplifting kids and joy.”

And that led to her students finding audiences in front of very appreciative and supportive Atria residents.

“They don’t care if we make a mistake,” Klein said. “They just love the kids coming in. It’s a win-win. It’s awesome.”

That includes Emma, who said she could play some of “Mountain King,” but not quite all of it. That gave Klein a chance to literally provide a helping hand.

“Do you want to play the left hand, while I play the right?” the teacher asked. “Or vice versa?”

“I can play this part,” Emma said. “I just can’t play the ….”

“… middle part,” Klein said, finishing her sentence. “That’s OK. We’re just brushing it up.”

Klein’s plan to play for seniors also has been  a hit with parents and students.

“It feels good … when you do something good for people,” Emma said. “I like when they hear my music and they like it.”

Music also can bridge gaps that might be difficult or even impossible to traverse otherwise, said Emma’s mother, Debra Eis.

“She learns that there are other generations and that it’s nice to give and to visit them and to give them music,” Eis said. ”I think it’s nice for her to spend time with the older generation and perform for them.”

Gabriella Nussbaum, the mother of two girls in Klein’s class —  Kayla, 7, and Nava, 4 — added they “are learning a beautiful thing” by giving back to the community.

Kayla, who will play “Chag Purim” on the piano, said she needs a “little more practice” before she nails her piece perfectly. “I’m excited because I like to play new songs.”

“I’m scared,” Nava said shyly, when asked about performing “Twinkle Twinkle.” She hits a chord — three keys played together — for her big finish. She’s working to get the chord in perfect unison, running through the tune with Klein.

“Yeah,” cheered Klein as Nava hit the three keys. With applause from her mom and sister, Nava After even cracked a small smile.  She said she’d continue practicing to get the chord just right.

Nancy Chaikin, Atria Riverdale’s engage life director, said Klein’s students playing and singing for residents always is a welcome addition.

“It speaks to their emotions,” she said. “It brings up happy memories for them, especially intergenerational programs, because they feel very connected to the visitors — especially the little children. And, they feel less isolated.”

Klein, a Juilliard School graduate, sang with the New York City Opera and the Seattle Opera. She and husband Michael Foglio have lived in Riverdale for nearly a decade. She put her singing career on hold to be at home with her 2-year-old Ben, who has cerebral palsy. Klein takes him to therapy in the morning before giving private music lessons in the afternoons.

“I wanted to have music a part of my life and share it with someone,” Klein said.  Ben and his 4-year-old brother Michael have a chance to share, too, going to performances where even Michael sometimes plays and sings.

Klein and her students also have performed at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale and the Five Star in Yonkers.

In between the musical performances of her younger students on the piano, Klein accompanies her older students, who range high school through college age, as they sing for the Atria Riverdale residents. Klein also sings Broadway tunes from shows like “Showboat,” “My Fair Lady” and “The Music Man.”

Emma, however, was ready to finally start playing  “Mountain King” with Klein at her side.

“OK, two, five,” Emma says softly to Klein, and one of Grieg’s most famous pieces come to life. 

Afterward, Klein was beaming at Emma. 

“Good job,” she said, adding, “I’ll see you tomorrow to work on it.”

Emma Eis, Edvard Grieg, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Jessica Klein, Atria Riverdale, Debra Eis, Gabriella Nussbaum, Kayla Nussbaum, Nava Nussbaum, Chag Purim, Twinkle Twinkle, Nancy Chalkin, Juilliard School, New York City, Michael Foglio, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, Five Star, Yonkers, Showboat, Broadway, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Lisa Herndon,

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