Naturally, we were most pleased with the piano performance of our nine year old grandson, Paul Husbands. But we were impressed with how much skill and enthusiasm all of your students displayed. It is delightful to see young people deriving so much joy from traditional music of quality and willing to accept the responsibility of performing i We consider this a wonderful dimension of our grandson’s growth and development much as it was for his sister, Alyssa, when she was one of Lillian’s students. The March recital was yet another tribute to the fine works of the Indian River Institute For The Creative Arts, without which this community would be much the poorer. Thank you!

Anne and Clark Booth, Parents

The IRICA scholarship has been a blessing to our family. When our son, Jesse, joined IRICA in middle school, we knew it was a good thing. However, it has been a truly life changing thing for him, and for all of us! He has found a passion in music that he had not found anywhere else. Music has helped him learn and grow in many different ways. He has formed new friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. He has been exposed to many different styles of music and musicians, that he may not have otherwise learned about. He has visited new places, and pushed himself to learn new music pieces for solos & with his band. He has gained a greater self-confidence due to his participation in judged solo & ensembles, and try-outs for All-State & All-County bands. With the IRICA scholarship & lessons he has received, I have seen (heard) his musical talent improve greatly. He is learning the importance of proper warm-ups & musicianship skills that are hard to get in a large school setting. This year, he was one of a few High School Freshman to make the Volusia All-County Band! Without the assistance from the IRICA scholarship, we would not be able to afford private lessons. We know the many benefits of a music education, and we are so appreciative of the support we have received through the Indian River Institute for the Creative Arts.

Kelly and Rodney Bookhardt, Parents

In the short years that Hannah been blessed to be a part of IRICA she has transformed from” a beginner with some potential talent”, into a “truly talented young musician” right before my eyes. The accomplishments Hannah has made musically “sing” volumes about how invaluable her lessons have been. When I start to think about the impact that IRICA has had on her musically, I literally get “all choked up”. As a truly single mother who raised six children alone, private lessons for Hannah were not an option. It is solely because of the generosity of the IRICA scholarship that Hannah has been able to take her music to the next level. The love, respect and admiration that Hannah has for Mr. Cuchetti is so awesome. Every time she plays, there is a piece of him within each note. We are so very grateful for the Cuchetti’s and IRICA. A footnote: Hannah (an incoming Sophmore at NSBHS) is presently at Brass Camp at Stetson University. She called me yesterday to tell me that she made 5th chair (not in her age group which would be Freshman/Sophmore, but 5th chair in the Junior/Senior section). Would this have occurred without the weekly lesson with Mr. Cuchetti???? In my heart, I just do not think so.

Susan Sloan, Parent

Dear Indian River Institute for the Arts, My family and I would like you to know how much we have appreciated your generosity. Three years ago, our daughters became interested in the violin and continued to ask for lessons. Due to our financial situation, we were very doubtful that lessons would ever become a reality. Now, two and a half years later, these three children are all playing the violin beautifully. We want to give a big thanks to your institute, and their violin teacher, for making it all possible! Sincerely, The San Antonio Family Our three violinist daughters have immensely benefited from their 6 years of scholarships. Not only have they gained discipline and a love for the instrument, they have acquired an appreciation for music that will last a lifetime. Without the IRICA, our daughters would not have become the advanced players in their orchestra that they are today. We sincerely hope future scholarships will be available for our girls to continue lessons throughout high school, enabling further studies into college . Thank you IRICA, for making it all possible!

Tom & Rose San Antonio, Parents

Because I have learning disabilities, I am unable to participate in many of the musical opportunities my middle school offers. Thank you IRICA or giving me the opportunity to develop my talent and share this gift God gave me

Cameron Hocking, Student

IRICA has made such a difference in my life. Without the support of IRICA and their funding, I don't think I would have accomplished so much with my trumpet. The scholarships provided has helped me further my playing skills and has enabled me to study under the tutelage of the wonderful teacher and musical maestro, Mr. Cuchetti. Since I started playing, I was able to be a part of several performance assessments and competitions. I have competed in the 6th through 10th grades Solo and Ensemble Performance and Assessment where I recieved Superior marks. I also competed for All State & All County Concert Band and have won several times. In addition, I attended MPA for Jazz Band and Concert Band where I received an Excellent rating on both. I have participated at the Lakeside Jazz Festival where our Band got an Excellent rating from the judges. I also attended and competed in a Trumpet Quartet for our Ensemble, once more recieving Excellents scores from the judge. I have listened and taken their advice so I can always improve and be better. I have the best teacher any student could possibly wish for. Mr. Cuchetti is funny, supportive and has tremendous musical knowledge. He is always ready to listen, help, play and get down to business. Would I have accomplished this much without him? I am so thankful for the IRICA foundation and those who continuously support the students with grants and funding to achieve a dream and be someone. As for now, I am striving to continue winning 1st Trumpet at the All State & All County Auditions. I really love playing my trumpet and having lessons with Mr. Cuchetti, he is the BEST!

Sandesh Sukhdeo, Student

It goes without saying that children that are provided the opportunity to participate in the arts, in all its forms, tend to be better rounded. They also perform at higher levels in school, but those are just the tip of the iceberg. As teachers, we see so many of this country’s children immersed in the isolation that computer games and technology generally encourage. But the arts bring hearts and souls together. It is one of the last pure lines of communication that transcends the written word and can be communicated between peoples of all countries without translation. It is tempting to try to put a monetary value on what you provide our community. There are plenty of articles written on the considerable future financial advantages that children who participate in the arts have when they become adults and choose their careers, but that is just a byproduct of the greater gifts our community’s children receive. The dedication and love that drives those who are given the gift of the arts, it becomes part of who they are and who they will become when they grow up. We see the changes in our girls and in many other students that are benefited by the IRICA and the Cuchetti family. Please find a way to keep providing the much needed support to the arts that our community so desperately needs. Thanks again and may God continue to bless your service to our children.

Rocky and Graye Dorcy, Parents

IRICA has made a dream I have for my children become a reality. The reality of having world-class, “big city" music instruction in our own backyard has proven to be a great blessing from God. Music is a wonderful gift from God; the opportunity for my children to excel in music is the gift of Cuchetti School of Music to us. God bless you for your faithful support!

Pastor Cox, Parent

Our teacher Mary is awesome. She not only teaches Cameron, but is also a friend to him. I know they talk about things and I am glad he has an older role model to listen to. At this age, he doesn't want to get too personal with mom and dad. ha ha. She has helped him with his voice 'change' and that was so important as music really is his gift and his whole being. IRICA has allowed Cameron to work on his gift, as his learning disabilities have limited his singing at school. He is in a magnet public arts school in Sanford, but his feelings get hurt because he doesn't have electives space to do more music like other kids; since has two maths and two reading classes that are suppose to help him pass the FCAT. He has yet to pass, and I know in my heart that it is fine because God gave him a voice. Financially, I am able to drive a long distance to get him there each week, with IRICA help in funding. I asked him if the commute was getting to be too much for him, and he declares, NO, he wants to work with Mary. Without Mary, this whole voice change thing would have been a disaster.

Anonymous, Parent

I can not express to you, your school, and the IRICA scholarship, how much we appreciate all of your endless hard work. I dont see baby steps in my daughters progression, but I see long meaningful strides! Her interest not only in piano grows, but she now has a drive to learn guitar and singing and acting! Thank you for pushing her each week to want to do and learn more. We need more good people like you.

AJ Neill, Parent

Having had the privilege to attend the recent Indian River Institute Musical Showcase I was duly impressed by the exceptional quality of what I witnessed and heard. Through the years I have had the opportunity to observe the progress of most of these performers. The attitude of professionalism and the sheer joy that was shared on that day is not easily matched. IRICA is a gift and necessity for our local community. The teachers are of such exceptional quality that there is not option for the students but to succeed. Unfortunately in this economy and with the challenging state of the Arts in our schools many gifted students will fall through the cracks, but thanks to the Indian River Institute gifted students in Central Florida are receiving a well deserved opportunity to pursue, explore and develop their musical passion.

Rick Shaw, Community member

Without the IRICA program and scholarship Silas would not be the budding pianist he is today. The accountability has also taught him discipline, and has helped him see the benefit of sustaining your focus through the course of time.

Brent Patchauer

I enjoy acting, singing and playing piano and have had leading roles in several plays in Volusia County. For six years IRICA has given me the opportunity to learn music from professional teachers, to perform in concerts and have many great experiences to remember throughout my musical career.

Anonymous, Student

My mom started me out with piano lessons, and I'm glad that she did. IRICA has allowed me to continue to extend my knowledge of the piano, and it has helped me to create a great fondness for playing.

Delaney Jane O'Brien

The IRICA opened doors for me I never imagined existed. Through the Cuchetti School of Music and their band program they had, I began playing the alto saxophone in the fourth grade. When the band program was discontinued, the IRICA and their scholarships kept me playing at the Cuchetti School of Music under private lessons with Mr. Cuchetti, one of the kindest and most amazingly talented musicians I have ever known. Through his teachings, I was able to participate in three different showcases and perform solos, attend a band camp at Stetson University when I was technically too young but skilled enough to enter, and when I moved to Atlanta it was these skills and a recording of the last performed solo at the music showcases that placed me fist chair in the Woodward Academy Middle School (7th-8th grade) Advanced Band for two years and have put me in their highest level . If have tried out for All-State and have placed in District Honor band. Mr. Cuchetti is the man that found and improved on my talents as a saxophone player. He is easy to talk to, understanding, kind, and very supportive. Mr. Cuchetti is, without a doubt, the best teacher I have ever had the privilege to study under. No man could have taught me better or opened up as many doors through the IRICA as Mr. Cuchetti has done for me. But Mr. Cuchetti has not just done this for me. He and his school have done the same for hundreds of young musicians, and I'm sure we would all say the same thing - I would not be were I am today without Mr. Cuchetti and the IRICA foundation. With the opportunities I have been given, I plan to play the saxophone through high school and college, and wherever life takes me after that. The gift I have been given through the Cuchetti School will stay with me forever.

Armand Fernandez, Student

As I write to you Mr. Cuchetti, I reflect on my time with the Cuchetti School of Music at this point in my ongoing journey. I am Madelyn Schneider and I think the school, along with the scholarship program has given a meaning and purpose to that name. As any high school student knows, there are multiple challenges you have to balance between academics, extracurriculars, family—the list goes on. As an honors student I deal with piles of homework sometimes and a plethora of responsibilities. However, I sometimes ask myself If I’d even be an honors student without the opportunities I’ve been given from this school. In all reality, I’m not so sure. From my first private lesson to this day, I’ve been passionate about music. Without this passion I don’t think I would’ve gone this far in my studies academically, socially, or even mentally. This is because music is the one thing that drives my soul and the scholarship program has created more accessible opportunities for me. I cannot wait for what I have yet to become because of music and its large effect on my life, and I hope that this opportunity is offered for many years to come. Thank you for everything.

Madelyn Schneider, Student

Testimonials

Because I have learning disabilities, I am unable to participate in many of the musical opportunities my middle school offers. Thank you IRICA or giving me the opportunity to develop my talent and share this gift God gave me

Without the IRICA program and scholarship Silas would not be the budding pianist he is today. The accountability has also taught him discipline, and has helped him see the benefit of sustaining your focus through the course of time.

I enjoy acting, singing and playing piano and have had leading roles in several plays in Volusia County. For six years IRICA has given me the opportunity to learn music from professional teachers, to perform in concerts and have many great experiences to remember throughout my musical career.

My mom started me out with piano lessons, and I'm glad that she did. IRICA has allowed me to continue to extend my knowledge of the piano, and it has helped me to create a great fondness for playing.

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