Jacqueline Melnick

Jacqueline Melnick is a Holyoke, Massachusetts music teacher who started Musicorda in 1987 with her husband, Terry. Musicorda, a six-week summer program for high school and college age musicians, was a great success, and so in 1992, Melnick co-founded The Children's String Workshop, an extension of Musicorda for younger children, many of whom had never before had any musical instruction.

The core of the program is the summer school, which culminates in a recital for the community. In building the workshop, Melnick used as the model Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras' music teaching program in East Harlem. However, without Melnick's hard work and dedication, the children could not have gotten such an opportunity to develop their musical talents.

"Thank you for everything," says Jose, one of many talented children who has participated in the program. In addition to the daily summer classes, they have their instrument rental and training donated so that they can continue their lessons throughout the school year. They really appreciate this unique program and they take their lessons very seriously.

"Thank you for supporting us, and for giving us the opportunity and the money for our trips and our violins," said Jazmin. She is one of many students who has gone on to an advanced music school but who will never forget the start Melnick gave her.

We asked Jackie if she could name her hero. "That's easy," she said, "Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras."