Small Wonders 1996

The inspiring story of Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras and her passion for teaching. A single mother, she moved to East Harlem and began teaching violin to support her family. When the Board of Education eliminated her position due to budget cuts, Roberta refused to stop. Instead she started her own non-profit organization in 1990 to fund a violin program for three East Harlem public schools. The popularity of her program is so astounding that a lottery was established to fairly select 150 students each year for instruction. Roberta's unique teaching technique and immeasurable energy capture the respect and love of her students as well as recognition from such famed violinists as Isaac Stern and Itzhak Perlman. Through rigorous instruction she focuses their attention and instills in them discipline and commitment. But what the kids learn extends far beyond the realm of music and inspires them to achieve in the bigger arenas of their lives.