My beautiful friend...

Over six years ago I was hired to teach elementary music as an itinerant teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. I was assigned to visit five schools--one per day for the entire year. The size of the district (over 700,000 students) combined with all of the typical challenges of a new teaching position were overwhelming at times. One of the schools where I was assigned was Cahuenga Elementary (pronounced Co-Aing-ah). Upon my arrival, I soon become acquainted with someone who would forever change my life. Adeline, the vice principal, would eventually become a close friend, mentor and part of my "adopted" family. Not really knowing anything about me, she invited me to direct her church choir to sing the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. I happily accepted and six years later, I am still directing the choir.

Through her friendship, I have met many wonderful people who have enriched my life and have made being far from my own family a lot easier to bear. She was a tower of strength for me while I was going through the Master's degree program in Public School Administration, lending support and advice and even standing in for my mom and dad on graduation day. This past Christmas, she invited my best friend Tom and me to join her family for the big Christmas Eve celebration. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings either one of have spent in a very long time and it was such an honor to spend it with such incredibly warm and caring people.

Nearly two years ago, Adeline was diagnosed with cancer and is currently waging an incredible war against the disease. She is an amazing human being with such a determined and beautiful spirit--truly one of the most inspiring people I have known.

This past Saturday, I joined five other musicians to present a fund-raising concert where all proceeds will go for cancer research. It was held in a small church in the Los Angeles area and raised nearly $2,000. The best part was Adeline was able to attend the concert where I debuted the piece I composed in her honor entitled "Adeline's Waltz."

Below is a picture taken at the reception that followed the concert--I think she looks simply beautiful!