Roberta Guaspari
Encyclopedia
Roberta Guaspari is an American violin
ist and music teacher in Harlem
, New York.
. She graduated with a music education degree from the State University of New York
at Fredonia
in 1969. She created a scholarship there in 2008.
A documentary film, Small Wonders
(directed by Allan Miller), and a movie, Music of the Heart
(starring Meryl Streep
as Roberta) soon followed, depicting Guaspari’s struggle to keep music in the Harlem schools.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist and music teacher in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
, New York.
Early life
Roberta grew up in a working-class family in Rome, New YorkRome, New York
Rome is a city in Oneida County, New York, United States. It is located in north-central or "upstate" New York. The population was 44,797 at the 2010 census. It is in New York's 24th congressional district. In 1758, British forces began construction of Fort Stanwix at this strategic location, but...
. She graduated with a music education degree from the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
at Fredonia
Fredonia, New York
Fredonia is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 11,068 as of 2009.The Village of Fredonia is in the Town of Pomfret south of Lake Erie...
in 1969. She created a scholarship there in 2008.
Career
She co-founded Opus 118, a school of music that provides music instruction and teacher development.A documentary film, Small Wonders
Small Wonders
Small Wonders is a 1995 documentary film directed by Allan Miller. The film follows a music teacher in East Harlem who teaches underprivileged children how to play the violin. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature....
(directed by Allan Miller), and a movie, Music of the Heart
Music of the Heart
Music of the Heart is a 1999 dramatic film. This film was produced by Craven-Maddalena Films and Miramax Films, and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution.The film stars Meryl Streep, Aidan Quinn, Gloria Estefan, and Angela Bassett...
(starring Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep
Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film.Streep made her professional stage debut in 1971's The Playboy of Seville, before her screen debut in the television movie The Deadliest Season in 1977. In that same year, she made her film debut with...
as Roberta) soon followed, depicting Guaspari’s struggle to keep music in the Harlem schools.
Awards
- The Petra Foundation’s annual award in 1992 to “recognize and encourage unsung individuals who are making distinctive contributions to human freedom.”
- Woman of the Year in 1994 by CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
This Morning. - Heroes for Today Award by Reader's DigestReader's DigestReader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
. - Outstanding Achievement Award by SUNY Fredonia Alumni Association in 1994.
- Arison Award in 2003 presented by NFAA (National Foundation for Advancement in the ArtsNational Foundation for Advancement in the ArtsThe National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts honors the most talented high school seniors, or, more specifically, American students in the 17-18 year-old age bracket, in the performing, visual and literary arts through the YoungArts program...
) for her “significant influence in the development of young American artists.” - American Eagle Awards in 2000 from the National Music Council of the United States.
- Barnard CollegeBarnard CollegeBarnard College is a private women's liberal arts college and a member of the Seven Sisters. Founded in 1889, Barnard has been affiliated with Columbia University since 1900. The campus stretches along Broadway between 116th and 120th Streets in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in the borough...
Medal of Distinction, 2011.
External links
- Opus 118
- Meryl Streep and the Movie about Roberta
- National Museum of Education, 2000 Keynote Speaker: Roberta Guaspari
- "Teacher Hero: Roberta Guaspar", June 2007
- "When Teaching the Arts Becomes Social Work", The New York Times, October 6, 1996
- "Fiddling to a Better Life", The New York Times, October 4, 1996
- "The Maestro Of East Harlem", The Time Magazine, July 12, 1999