Letter to Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston September 8, 2015
Back to the project
Dear Sylvester,
My name is Hellene Hiner. I am Russian born USA citizen and Houston resident since 1993.
I developed a 'wheel' in music education that helps any individual to learn how to read music. I can teach all Houstonians piano for free and my dream is to have a big gala concert in Jones Hall, when little children and adult beginners will meet on stage with orchestra and professional pianists to perform together.
When I was watching Russian president Putin performing a very simple piano piece on piano in front of big crowd, I realized the power of personal example. It can move entire nation!
It is not fair that majority of Houston kids do not have any opportunity to learn piano. Their parents are busy, tired and sometimes simply don't have money for private instructions! The crucial factor also the lack of motivation, no role model to follow (just Kim Kardashian)
With the help of Radu Barbuceanu and Melissa Tatum we managed to start 'Save the piano' project facilitated by the City. We offer my piano self-learning stations to public libraries, schools, orphanages and other organizations with the view to give free piano lessons to as many children as possible. One station can serve up to 100 people. I purchased computers+keyboards, installed my software and offered my acoustic baby grand and digital piano as winning prizes.
Can you, please, help us with this project? Can you learn couple of pieces and show others that music is very powerful? Can you help to find 'homes' for the piano self-learning stations - so the kids will start learning ASAP? We still have enough time before Christmas. It seems like project is going to nowhere without you!
It would be awesome, if you will have some time to meet with me and Dir. of education Craig Latson from Fort Bend music center to discuss this project. Can we schedule an appointment?I don't want the furniture store to eat the rest of this center. Piano on the sky is the Houston landmark. It has to be there and pianos have to be back in people's lives.
Please, let me know, what do you think!
Sincerely,
Hellene Hiner
713-443-8984
PS.
Please, take a look, how much kids and adults can learn with my method in a short or long run:
3 year old:
2 year old