"When living with music becomes natural, music ceases to be considered a luxury. If it forms a part in ordinary life, a child can play the violin in his or her humble home, another in the father’s garage, and many other can participate in recitals and concerts no matter where they live, in a coastal village as well as a community up on the hills. Material poverty is being defeated by the spiritual affluence. There is more to it – the latter can provide the physical condition, the ethical principles and the emotional and intellectual tools necessary when overcoming the former." - Jose Antonio Abreu, 2001

WE WERE fortunate to witness NVM Gonzalez play the violin during a visit in 1999. We have never been the same since that visit. Our major celebrations have been marked by live music: my 50th birthday, our 25th and 31st wedding anniversaries -- all because I have a resident lutier, my husband, Enrique, who learned to play the violin in his late fifties. At first, his bowing irritated me as it sounded scratchy, but through his persistence and daily practice which lasted for years, he became a decent violin player. When accompanied by a pianist who modulates the piano keys, their combination results in vibrance, in sounds coming alive, filling up my heart.