Young musician develops new skills at Trout Creek School

Emalyn Roofener, Trout Creek School

by Karen Thorson

Emalyn Roofener, a charming young lady and an exceptional musician, is an 11-year-old fifth grade student at Trout Creek School.

She began playing the violin when she was only seven and lived in Albany, Oregon. In a school-based program, she was introduced to fiddle playing and enjoyed it so much that her mother suggested violin lessons. Soon she was captivated. Her mother then suggested that she should join an orchestra. The Albany Youth Orchestra experience was so powerful for Roofener that when she moved to Trout Creek more than a year ago, she continued her lessons via Zoom with instructor Denver Speelman.

Roofener has not stopped with the violin. She now also plays the guitar with five other fifth grade students under the instruction of their Trout Creek teacher, Ms. Rosa Torretta. Playing both the violin and the guitar, she continues to develop new skills and techniques.

With the violin, she has recently introduced "bouncing" her bow. This is a technique called "spiccato" in which the violinist separates the bow from the strings between strokes, providing a slight hesitation and punctuation of each stroke.

On the other hand, guitar playing has proven to be both interesting and challenging. In addition to the differences in the music, fingering and strumming the guitar have presented new dimensions for her music.

Roofener is preparing for two very different concerts, one with fellow guitar students at Trout Creek School to present "Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven, and another playing her violin with the Albany Youth Orchestra to present "Carol of the Bells" by Lindsey Stirling.

Her advice to others interested in music is to approach learning an instrument as fun – and to keep at it - practice. As for her future, Roofener will do just that – keep at it, have more fun, learn new things, and share the delight of making music with others!

Spotlight on the Arts by The Paradise Center honors and encourages students in the arts by highlighting their talent and acknowledging the support they receive through their schools and teachers.