​becq photography international

Keeler学校的学生们有幸接受了世界著名大提琴家马友友的音乐课。参加这个独特活动的学生们是卡尔加里爱乐乐团CPO的PhilKids项目的一部分，该项目专注于向社区中的弱势儿童提供音乐课。

卡尔加里爱乐乐团的总裁兼首席执行官保罗·多尼安表示：“要改变世界，就要投资于孩子们。我想不出有多少种比令人惊叹的PhilKids项目更能产生影响的方法了。看到马友友与这些小学生互动和一起演奏音乐，让我感动得有些哽咽。不管是演奏大提琴，与孩子们交谈，还是倾听他们的智慧，马友友都是一位出色的沟通者。这让我想再次回到八岁。”

在向孩子们表演之前，马友友还聆听了一些孩子们的大提琴演奏。对于自己的经历，他说：“走进一个孩子们专注而好奇的房间总是很美好的。我可以看到教师、工作人员和音乐家们所创造的长期效果。他们为这些学生创造了一个能够支持并鼓励他们对世界充满想象力和好奇心的空间。”

此次活动大约有55名一年级至五年级的学生参与。

Keeler学校的校长丹尼斯·尼默表示：“我们有幸在Keeler学校举办马友友的音乐会对我们的学生们来说是非常了不起的机会。他们对他的来访和他为他们演奏的世界著名音乐家的表演感到非常兴奋，而且他们还亲自演奏大提琴让马友友聆听的体验也是难以置信的。我确信，他们将永远将这个机会放在心中。”

卡尔加里爱乐乐团PhilKids课后项目的创始捐赠人朱迪思·基尔伯恩表示：“我们有幸迎来了世界上最伟大的大提琴家之一，给PhilKids带来了如此激动人心和愉悦的时刻！对我们所有人来说，这真是一个难以忘怀的经历。”

 ​becq photography international

Students at Keeler School were treated to a rare opportunity to receive a music lesson from world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Students who participated in the unique event this afternoon are part of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s (CPO) PhilKids Programme, an initiative that focuses on bringing music lessons to underserved kids in the community.

“If you want to change the world – invest in the children. I can’t think of many better ways to make a difference than the amazing PhilKids programme,” said Paul Dornian, President & CEO of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. “Seeing Yo-Yo Ma interacting and making music with these elementary school children put a lump in my throat. Mr. Ma is a master communicator whether he is playing his cello, talking to the children, or listening to their wisdom. It made me want to be eight years old again.”

Mr. Ma listened to a cello performance by a number of children before performing to the group and said of his experience, “It’s always wonderful to walk into a room where you see children are engaged and curious. I can see the long-term effects of what the teachers, staff, and musicians have created. They have created a space for these students where their imagination and curiosity for the world is supported and encouraged.”

There were approximately 55 students, from Grades 1 to 5, who took part in the programme.

“The opportunity for us to host Yo-Yo Ma at Keeler School has been so phenomenal for our students,” said Denise Nimmo, principal. “They have been so excited for his visit to hear a world famous musician play for them and then to also have the experience of actually playing the cello for him to hear. To have this opportunity today is just out of this world and something that our students will carry in their hearts forever I am certain.”

“Such excitement and joy to have a visit to PhilKids by one of the world’s greatest cellists! It was truly unforgettable for all of us,” said Judith Kilbourne, Founding Donor of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s PhilKids After-School Programme.