It is often said that children are life’s greatest teachers, and this seems to be truer than ever during this doubtful, social-distancing spring season. Despite the hardships we are currently facing as a society, there are so many silver linings shining through the overcast of uncertainty. Case and point? These two children from Columbus, Ohio, who decided to break out of their daily quarantine routine and do something kind but still socially responsible for an elderly self-isolating neighbor.
The two performers, siblings Taran Tien, 9, and Calliope Tien, 6, had been practicing the cello via Facetime for friends and family, under the remote guidance of their instructor. With music in the air, when mother, Rebecca Tien, called her elderly neighbor, Helena Schlam, offering to pick up groceries, Helena had an even grander request- a private cello performance from the children.
On Sunday afternoon, Taran and Calliope arrived at Helena’s doorstep and set up their orchestra dressed in a tailored suit and professional pink ensemble. Helena, who sat a healthy distance away from the children per self-isolating standards, was then able to enjoy an outdoor, porch-side cello performance. But Helena was not the only member of the audience! Helena’s grandchildren in Isreal, who were not able to come to visit due to the pandemic, joined her via Facetime and were able to enjoy this classical concert with their grandmother.
Sharing with y’all pic.twitter.com/75pqmsY8bg
— Jackie Borchardt (@JMBorchardt) March 16, 2020
A neighbor of the Tien’s, Jackie Borchardt, recorded the private show and shared it on social media. It wasn’t before long that people caught wind of the performance on Twitter, turning this once private affair into a public skeptical full of admiration and awe.
One thing is for certain, in a time that seems so shrouded in scarcity and fear, we can always count on children to help open our eyes to what matters most.
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