Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Renita Luehrman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Renita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Suzuki Harmony STL is the fruition of a dream that started back in 2003 when I taught an after-school violin class in the Jennings School District. Seeing the joy the violin brought those students and coming to the realization that programs like this were not accessible or available to everyone, I set out on a years long journey to change that narrative.

Growing up, I played the violin and honestly took for granted what was a privilege. Suzuki Harmony now exists to provide quality music instruction to all students in the St. Louis area, regardless of a family’s financial situation. We currently reach over 60 children in the STL area and continue to grow each year.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In the Suzuki Method, we have a phrase- Every Child Can. And while I believe this deeply, I was confronted with the question, “But does every child have the opportunity?” And this is where Suzuki Harmony comes in. We provide scholarships for students who may need them to be able to learn an instrument. Music and the arts are becoming increasingly elite but we believe that they should be accessible to all and that every child deserves a chance to experience not only the joy that comes from music, but the other life skills such as goal-setting, perseverance, knowing how to fail well, endurance, and, of course, the elation that comes after a successful performance.

We are proud to have been doing this work for nearly nine years and are looking forward to continuing this for years to come.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

We want to reach as many students in the St. Louis area as possible! There are times where this work is hard and lonely, and then I refocus on our mission: ​Suzuki Harmony STL nurtures community, builds character, and fosters academic growth of youth in under-resourced neighborhoods of the St. Louis region by providing high-quality private music instruction.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think there are many passionate people who support the arts and we are so incredibly grateful for them! Donations are important to keep things moving, but we can often minimize how important it is to go to concerts/recitals, share on social media, and generally spread the word about programs you are excited for!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://suzukiharmonystl.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzukiharmonystl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzukiHarmonySTL/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzukiharmonystl

Image Credits

Miranda Murray