'You don't chose music – it choses you'
By Robyn Skinner
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Brother and Sister duet: Shanyce, eight, and Shamar Morris, ten, are thrilled to be instructed by the world-renowned violinist Sally O'Reilly, while she is on the Island this weekend.
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At only six months of age both Shamar and Shanyce were banging on drums and learning rhythms as part of Kindermusic.
By the age of 4, the sister and brother duo — who are now eight and 10 respectively — were taking piano lessons.
In 2004, after convincing their parents to let them pursue violin, the siblings had found their calling.
Since then they have been taking violin lessons with David France at the Bermuda School of Music and have excelled.
But now they will face a challenge as they receive private lessons from the world-renowned violinist Sally O'Reilly.
Cynthia Thomas Morris, the mother of these aspiring musicians, said her children were very excited about the opportunity to hone their skills with Ms O'Reilly.
She said: "David France was one of Sally O'Reilly's students and we are thrilled that she is returning to Bermuda.
"Shamar and Shanyce had Master classes with her when she was here previously and they are thrilled to have an opportunity to learn from her again.
"Shamar and Shanyce are both looking forward to lessons... because of her patience, passion and love for playing the violin. She is a great role model and motivator for the children. Shamar and Shanyce are very fortunate to have David, a prior student of Sally O'Reilly on a regular basis, as he exhibits those same qualities."
Ms O'Reilly began her musical career early in life — everyone she knew played the piano so she was not given much of a choice.
She started on the violin when she was seven years old and never looked back.
Originally from Texas, she is now a professor of violin at the University of Minnesota School of Music, Minneapolis and is known throughout the music world as a soloist, chamber musician and pedagogue.
She first studied with Ivan Galamian at Curtis Institute and with Josef Gingold at Indiana University, where she was his assistant. Later, after winning a Fulbright Scholarship she studied with Andre Gertler and Carlo Van Neste in Brussels. Her chamber music coaches included Janos Starker, Gyorgy Sebok, Artur Balsam, William Primrose, and Felix Galimir.
Now her students litter the world's major symphony orchestras and have been first prize winners in numerous competitions including the Vittorio Gui in Florence, Italy, the Tokyo International, Irving Klein International, Music Teachers National Association student competitions and the Banff String Quartet Competition.
She is coming to Bermuda for a second time to hold master classes as well as a concert tonight with some of her university students.
She said: "David was my student and I found that my students want me to visit so they can show me what a good job they're doing, but also for me to see their students.
"It's always good when you have students that are serious. It's good to have someone from the outside who can give them tips and let them know what they are doing is good."
One of those students is David Darrell, 10, who practices religiously for half an hour almost every day and, even at his age, is quite serious about pursuing a musical career.
David, who is a Purvis Primary student, began in his school's music programme in primary one and has been a dedicated violinist for two years.
He said: "Basically I practice a lot here. I do 30 minutes or more during about three and a half to three quarters of a week."
When asked about his other pursuits, the budding musician looked confused. Tentatively he said: "Sometimes I like sports. I like to build things and make stuff with house appliances."
But what he lives for is his violin and the music, which is exactly what Ms O'Reilly needs in her students.
"You don't choose music," she said. "Music chooses you. I tell my students if they want to do something else they should. It will inevitably pay better.
"But if you live music, the lack of pay doesn't matter. You can't give it up."
Tonight, along with four students from her university (LaTannia Ellerbe, Rolf Haas, Jenny Berg and Zachary Saathoff), Ms O'Reilly will be performing at An Evening of Violin Virtuosity at 7 p.m. at the Wesley Methodist Church.
Tickets are available for $30 for adults and $15 for students at the Bermuda School of Music or Pulp and Circumstance.
