Deanne's daughter recently performed a short violin concert at a neighbor's holiday party. The 9-year-old was confident and enthusiastic even when the songs were a bit squeaky and off-key. She's been learning to play the violin for two years now. Deanne was excited when her daughter's elementary school started the strings program in third grade. She talks about the benefits she's seen from having her child participate.

When did Anna start music lessons?

She just started the violin program last year at Bristol in third grade.

Did she want to play or did you want her to play?

I thought it was such a great program, and I wanted her to do it.

Then, they talked it up at school, and she came home and said, "Mom I'm going to play the violin."

It has a lot to do with the friends. Are the friends going to do it? Quite a few of her friends are in the same strings program.

How often are lessons?

Two days a week, after school for 45 minutes, and they do have high expectations for the kids. They make them sign a contract, tell them they have to keep up with the music to stay in the program. Periodically, they test them to make sure they are keeping up, and attendance is mandatory. There is a waiting list to participate.

What type of practice is required?

They like them to practice every day. Last year when they started, part of the homework was to listen to music and recognize the name of the song. It wasn't a lot.

Is it more challenging now that she's in the second year?

At the end of the school year, they gave a sheet out with names of possible tutors to keep up lessons over the summer. I think for Anna that helped her a lot. I think if we didn't continue over the summer, she wouldn't be as confident as she is now.

Is it hard to get her to practice?

Not really. She just really enjoys it. I don't have to make her do it. She also has a private lesson one day a week with her teacher from last year. At least three times a week, she'll practice on her own.

What kind of benefit have you seen from her being involved in learning to play?

I think she has a confidence about her. The more she plays, the more she wants to play. I think she's really coming along. I think she's pretty proud of herself, too.

They get so much from the one-on-one private instruction. I think she really wants to please the teacher, too. The lesson with her teacher is only for half an hour, but it's amazing what she picks up in that half-hour. Her teacher just played in "The Nutcracker" at the Fox, and she has played at the St. Louis Opera. We've gone to see her, and it's really neat for kids to see where this can take you and watch your teacher perform.

Grant's Farm also does free concerts with bluegrass music. We went to all of those. The next day, she went out and got her violin out. I'm noticing when you expose them to professional musicians and all these great free concerts, like the musicals at the high school, it gives them something to aspire to.

There's a pretty big age difference between your youngest child and the older two. Yes, I have one in each decade. We're pretty nervous (because it's 2010), and I'm pretty old now. I was afraid I would have another boy, so it took me nine years to work up the courage to have another child.

What do you think you are doing differently this time around?

I think I'm just a lot more relaxed about it. They don't have to be in every activity. They have to enjoy it. If it's a struggle, that's probably not the right activity or maybe you're overscheduled.

Or if they are not excelling at it, but they love it, well, that's OK, too.

Last year, I was diagnosed with stage two rectal cancer. I think that really changed things for me. It made me realize what's really important and what's not. It puts things in perspective. What do you really want? We put a lot of pressures on ourselves that we don't have to. It really does change the way your priorities are laid out.

How are you feeling now?

Great. It's in remission.

Deanne Bussler

Age • 47

Occupation • Stay-at-home mom

Home • Webster Groves

Husband • Brett, research director, 52

Daughter • Anna, 9; Weston, 18, Wyatt, 21