A seed planted by a Texas music teacher several generations ago is still bearing fruit on the south side of Milwaukee.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first teacher was Mr. James Angerstein, who is still alive today. I tell my students he is your musical grandfather. He was the kind of teacher who became a father figure, a mentor \u2026. I have infinite gratitude for the man and for the system that gave us that possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those are the words of Dinorah M\u00e1rquez Abadiano, a 51ÁÔÆæ alumna who is founder and director of the Latino Arts Strings Program<\/a> and has taught hundreds of students in her 20 years with the organization.<\/p>\n She recently received a Betty Award<\/a> from Milwaukee Magazine, was chosen for the Wisconsin Arts Board and selected to receive a 51ÁÔÆæ Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award<\/a>.<\/p>\n M\u00e1rquez Abadiano and her family arrived in the United States from Mexico when she was a child, very shy and not speaking a word of English. Texas, where they lived at the time, had strong music programs and wonderful instructors, she recalls. Music was life-changing and lifesaving for her and her brother, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe began his music career when we moved to the United States. He is also a musician to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n Being raised in a family that had difficulties, \u201cthe musical activity for both of us was a haven,\u201d M\u00e1rquez Abadiano said. \u201cAt home it gave us peace because we could practice, and at school it gave us a voice. The violin really gave me a way to express myself.\u201d<\/p>\n She decided to start the music program at Latino Arts through the United Community Center because, \u201cI felt I could give back what I received as a child \u2026 the lifesaving possibility of playing music.\u201d<\/p>\nMusic was life-changing<\/h3>\n