Please give a warm Joy of Music School “hello!” to our newest employee, Rymelle Dotson. She’s our School Administrator/Receptionist — which means she’s the first person most of our students and their families see when they enter our building. One of Rymelle’s first projects is getting to know every student, because she wants to greet each of them by name as they come in. As the school year wraps up, and we move into the summer, Rymelle has been helping with our social media presence, and administrative projects. She’s handling data reporting ranging from attendance to parent and student surveys. Rymelle, who’s 23, grew up in Knoxville and, while she just started working here in February, she and the JoMS go way back. She took flute lessons here as a little girl! Another fun fact about Rymelle: Her older brother, Taber Gable, is a professional jazz pianist and one of our most accomplished former students. (See “A Night of Food, Jazz and Smiles” on page 4.) Rymelle used to work at Pond Gap Elementary School, where she taught after-school art classes. She’s about to wrap up her second year as a student at Pellissippi State Community College, and she aims to continue her education at the University of Tennessee starting in the fall. Her major is Public Relations. How’s it going so far at the Joy of Music School? “Everyone is so nice and kind,” she says. “They treat me like I’ve been here forever. I guess I kind of have!”We’re glad to have you back, Rymelle!

Is it better to be lucky than good? How about both? Our March fundraiser, Dining for Joy, was both. Except “good” doesn’t do it justice; it was GREAT! Fans of jazz and friends of the Joy of Music School gathered on what in hindsight feels like the last day before the pandemic shut down everything (lucky). Food trucks outside dispensed pasta, fried okra, and burritos in perfect alternating sync with intermittent showers (also lucky). Oh, and also in perfect alternating sync were event headliner, world-renowned saxophonist Greg Tardy, and distinguished JoMS alum, New York pianist Taber Gable (truly great). They were joined by Robert Linton on bass, and Griffin Photoglou on the drums. The jazz was energized and scintillating. The event had an aura of excellence and, importantly, achievement, as JoMS student Alyssa performed a beguiling violin solo. Smiles, applause, and generosity were abundant. All of the performers donated their services, while attendees and sponsors chipped in to the tune of over $10,000 toward our programs for musical kids who need it most (greater than great). Afterward, desserts were sampled as fans stood in line to show their appreciation to Greg and Taber, who along with all the other musicians donated their performances. After an experience like that, we’re all feeling lucky.

Life is not normal right now. We remember normal. Wasn’t it just a few weeks ago? While the staff and volunteers of the Joy of Music School pursue an augmented mission of getting kids’ musical lives back to as close to normal as possible, there are some unique and innovative things happening. As the staff began setting up dozens and dozens of weekly lessons for students and teachers via video link, we learned that connecting everyone brings out our creativity and problem-solving skills. One family with two JoMS piano students said there’s no way they could do their lessons online because their laptop (and its built-in camera) has a nonfunctional battery, and it’s 20 feet away from their piano. They can’t unplug it, and it’s way too far away for a video lesson. But wouldn’t a long power extension cord help? Well, yes, if they had wifi. But they do not. The laptop is connected to the internet via an ethernet cable, and it’s shorter than the power cord! Then inspiration struck! We sent them a long, long ethernet cable. They plug the laptop into a power outlet near the piano, run the ethernet cable to their node, and Zoom! — piano lessons are happening every week now for two deserving kids. That’s just one example of how our team of staff and volunteers are spreading the Joy of Music all across the area in impressive and creative ways. Our mission remains the same — but adjustments are happening every day. I couldn’t be prouder of our families, our team, and especially our kids as they keep the music alive. This challenge helps us stretch our minds, and refocuses us on our mission to the community, and especially to our students. Let’s stay connected!