Inclusive Strings: Coral Springs Program Opens the World of Violin to Young People With Autism

Intersections Program to Coral Springs. {David Volz}

Music is one of the most enjoyable learning activities for young people.

For students with autism, participation in orchestra and band programs can be challenging. Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen saw a need to bring musical instruction to autistic young people in the area and established relationships with the Florida Youth Orchestra, the Black Violin Foundation, and the city to make it a reality.

Metayer Bowen arranged violin lessons for autistic young students every Tuesday afternoon at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. Many children receive help from their parents during the instruction. They practice and perform as a group under the direction of teachers from the Florida Youth Orchestra.

Corryn Freeman, Vice President of the Black Violin Foundation, worked with Metayer Bowen to bring the Intersections Program to Coral Springs. This season began in October and has given about 20 young people ages 9-21 with autism the opportunity to receive professional-level violin instruction. The students will perform on June 6 at the Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater during the Dreamer Arts Festival.

Corryn Freeman and Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen.

“Metayer Bowen approached me about this program because there are limited activities for children with autism. It aligns with the Foundation’s mission of creating equity access to high-quality classical music instruction,” said Freeman.

The program has been going well, and the Foundation plans to offer intermediate instruction next year so the current students can build on their skills, according to Freeman.

Myriame Laurore is glad that her 13-year-old daughter, Xaeda, can take violin lessons. “I love this program, and it has helped my daughter,” she said.

Tricia St. Charles said she is glad her 10-year-old son, Kebson, is getting the chance to play the violin.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.

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