Youth in Focus

By Richard A. Ross

A young fiddler comes of age

	TRR photos by Richard A. Ross Erin Slaver, a sophomore at Liberty High School, is an exceptional violinist and fiddler. (Click for larger image)

“Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset swiftly flow the days, / seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers blossoming even as we gaze.” — lyrics from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ by Sheldon Harnick

LIBERTY, NY — Not only has Erin Slaver played the role of the fiddler in “Fiddler on the Roof” at Forestburgh Playhouse, she has, like Tzeitel, the young daughter in the play, grown into a beautiful young woman.

Displayed in the Slaver family room is a portfolio that brims with articles and pictures of the smiling young girl who has played violin since she was three and the fiddle since she was in elementary school.

Cast as a member of the chorus in “Oliver” six years ago at Forestburgh, she has either acted or performed at the playhouse every summer since. This past summer, she was in “Titanic” and “La Cage Aux Folles.”

Slaver’s mother, JoAnn, has diligently filed mementos of Erin’s defining moments in what have become chapters of a fairy tale come true for her and her husband John, an elementary teacher at the Duggan School.

Erin, their only child, came later in life than her parents had planned. Determined to provide Erin with cultural opportunities, JoAnn enrolled her in a Suzuki violin course taught by Pat Luben of Liberty. She thought it would be wonderful if Erin could play a string instrument and, perhaps one day accompany her father, who has played the guitar professionally for many years.

The wish has been granted. “It’s a dream come true,” John said.

Erin took to the violin with unbridled enthusiasm. The long car rides to her preschool class at the Homestead School in Glen Spey afforded her a chance to listen to assigned music over and over in the car. She learned to play music by ear, and soon after, she began to read music. Enthralled by Erin’s precocity, Luben was anxious to afford her opportunities to accelerate. Once Erin was in third grade, Luben placed her in the middle school orchestra.

	Erin Slaver and her father, John, appear regularly at festivals and events. (Click for larger image)

Currently a sophomore, Erin plays first chair in both the school orchestra and the honors orchestra. She has regularly appeared in the All-County Music Festival since fifth grade, twice earned a spot at Area All State, and most recently, she garnered a score of 100 percent on her level six New York State Music Educators’ Association (NYSMA) evaluation, a feat likely to propel her to the All-State Orchestra.

Classically trained, she has studied for the past two years with Marti Sweet, a graduate of Julliard who lives in Rockland County. Slaver’s most recent pieces include the complex Bruch Concerto in G minor, Opus 26. She is currently working on Mendelsohn’s violinkoncert, Opus 64 in B minor.

Erin’s association with the fiddle came initially through a contact with Grahamsville resident Paul Lounsbury of the Chestnut Creek Fiddle Band. Later, a friend of John’s suggested they contact Mindy Josten of Hudson, NY and New York City. Josten has played with Billy Joel, Carly Simon and Bon Jovi and agreed to give fiddle lessons to Erin.

“She taught me ‘Solider’s Song’, my first real fiddle piece,” Erin said.

She loves the flexibility of the genre. “With fiddle music, there are so many different versions of songs that have been passed down over the years,” she said.

Erin has played with Pete Seeger at the Beacon Sloop Club and has also appeared at The Cherry Ridge Old Time Fiddle Festival in Pennsylvania. Her resumé includes performances at the Dead End Café in Parksville, the Yulan Parade, the Fall Harvest Festival in Bethel and the Irish Festival in Middletown. This fall looks busy with engagements.

Maybe I’ll study violin at Julliard, or perhaps I’ll major in drama. I just love to perform,” she said.

The playing and acting of this week’s youth in focus makes hearts resound with joy.