This family story was written by a family member to share their experience, joys and sadness with other families with special needs

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This year, I went to the Renaissance Faire in CT, held for the second year at the Lion's Club Hebron Fair grounds. I dressed as the Viola Goddess and went with my oldest daughter Monica and Friar Deep Fat.

Louise was born in 1957 and started studying the violin at age 9 in the Newington Public Schools string program. Her grandmother had been a violinist, and she inherited her violin, which Louise continues to play to this day.

In 11th grade she decided to switch to the viola in order to increase her chamber music opportunities, as there were many violinists, but few violists in her school. She studied privately on and off for a few years with John Charland, Martha Tabony, and Abraham Mishkind. "Much of what I know I attribute to the years of playing experience with various orchestras, and having inherited a great ear for music from my parents."

"The most influential person in my musical development aside from my parents was Rouben Gregorian of the Boston Conservatory. For several seasons he conducted the orchestra at Laurel Music Camp which I attended as a high school student. He was an incredible teacher and conductor, an inspiration to me to reach farther and higher than I ever had before as a musician. I will never forget what he taught me about music and about life."

"My family was very musical. My parents met playing in a band. My father plays Dixieland jazz trumpet and trombone and my mother played piano. I have fond childhood memories of going to bed at night listening to their band rehearsing Dixieland Jazz."

Of her five siblings, two remain active as musicians. Louise's youngest sister Lynne graduated from the University of Lowell with a degree in violin performance and now has a very active chamber music group in the Boston area called The Woodvale String Quartet.

Louise is currently playing with the Willimantic Orchestra, that she joined in 1987. She has also played with the Farmington Valley Symphony and the Manchester Symphony.

"I occasionally have the opportunity to play chamber music, but not as often as I would like to. I would love to have a permanent quartet to play with, but there are no cellists around. If you know of any cellists in eastern Connecticut, tell them about my site so that they can contact me."

I used to spend a week every summer volunteering as a counselor and violist at Laurel Music Camp, a week long summer music camp for high school youth on West Hill Pond in Winsted. The camp, now in its 57th season, was founded and directed by "Ma" Sonier for 53 years. It is a fabulous place to meet other young people who share an enthusiasm for music. The mission of the camp is "Fellowship Through Music". The musical experience consists of about 5 hours of rehearsal per day in the chorus, orchestra, band or jazz band, with a public concert at the end of the week, and lots of fun recreational activities. All of the staff except for conductors are unpaid volunteers.

So far my peak musical experience was auditioning for and being accepted to Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music in August 1998 for a 10 day session. I was awarded a substantial scholarship, without which I would not have been able to attend, and for which I am eternally grateful. I had the opportunity to play with musicians from all over the world, and to eat, drink, and sleep music for 10 glorious days. It was my idea of heaven.

Louise's youngest daughter Martha, born in 1990, continues the family tradition. She started studying the Suzuki Violin Method at age 4 1/2.