October 24, 1999
The Magic of Music: Williams Child Meets Cellist Yo Yo Ma
Several months ago I heard that the world famous cellist, Yo Yo Ma, would be
performing with the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Symphony Orchestra. I went
straight to Dr. Jay Dean, Music Director and Conductor, and asked if it would be possible
for my son Joseph (5 1/2, WS) to meet him for a few minutes. I explained a bit about
Williams to him and told him that Joseph is a huge fan of Yo-Yo Ma, actually since the day
he was born.
Side story: When Joseph was born, the nurses said that he would have to go into the
nursery when I was ready to take a nap. Well, he cried for hours. They tried walking him,
rocking him...nothing was working. They tried different kinds of music; finally they put
in a tape of classical music (Yo Yo Ma) and he was quiet instantly! After I woke up and
they brought him back to me, the nurse told me that I had a lover of classical music on my
hands.
On the afternoon of Sept. 28th, Yo Yo Ma participated in a public Q & A session before
his concert. Afterward, as they hurried Mr. Ma from the crowd, Dr. Dean told me to follow.
Once outside and across the street by the auditorium we all stopped. Dr. Dean introduced
us to Mr. Ma,
who immediately squatted down to be on Joseph's level. Joseph asked him what
kind of cellos he played and Mr. Ma told Joseph that he played a Montagnana cello from
Venice made in 1733 and a Davidoff Stradivarius made in 1712. Joseph then asked him about
the composition and size of his cellos. Mr. Ma told him that they were both made out of
wood and they were about Joseph's size. Joseph told him that he really liked classical
music, it calmed him. Mr. Ma told Joseph that it calmed him, too.
Then Joseph pointed to the sky and told Mr. Ma that it was cloudy and asked if it was
going to rain soon. About that time, it started sprinkling. I asked Mr. Ma if he would
sign a poster for Joseph. He said of course and signed it: "To Joseph, Best Wishes :)
Yo Yo" (the smiley face was in its normal horizontal position). Then I asked him if
he would mind if I took a picture of the two of them. He let me. I can't wait to get that
back! The poster is already at the frame shop.
That night, Mr. Ma performed the Cello Concerto No. 1 in E Flat Major, Op. 107 by Dmitri
Shostakovich with our symphony orchestra. We had tickets on the second row, but I knew
that would be too intense for Joseph with his sensitive hearing. I asked two ladies on the
back row if they would mind exchanging seats with us. Needless to say, we all thought we
were getting the better deal. Joseph had foam earplugs in and he folded his ears with his
hands and it was still too loud for him at times, but he wasn't going anywhere!
As soon as Mr. Ma came onto the stage, Joseph said, "There's Yo Yo!" Everyone
sitting around us looked at Joseph and chuckled. This was Joseph's first concert and I was
pleasantly surprised at how well he sat in his seat and stayed quiet. Joseph was the only
young child that I saw there. The man sitting in the seat next to Joseph had a bit of a
panicked look on his face when we sat down. I told him not to worry, Joseph was a really
good boy. He looked at me like - yeah lady. After the concert, he turned to me and said I
was right.
What a magical experience for both of us!
Lessley Cunningham, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
lessley@netdoor.com
September 12, 1999
Nightline Broadcast Spurs Unprecedented Traffic on WS Comprehensive Web Site
On September 9, Nightline and ABC-TV featured Williams Syndrome and the Lenhoff family. The program was part of a series called Nightline Prime: Brave New World. It is made up of a eight Nightline programs that were shown last year. The WS segment shown on September 9 was also shown last fall.
Following the show, Dr. Howard Lenhoff participated in a special electronic on-line chat sponsored by ABC-Nightline Prime. A transcript of the chat session is now available on this web site.
As a result of the broadcast and the ensuing chat, the WS Comprehensive Web Site benefitted by an unprecedented increase in traffic. On an average day, the web site is visited by 150-200 people. On Friday, September 10, the WS Comprehensive Web Site was visited by more than 750 people. This is an increase of 325 - 500% of normal traffic.
It is our hope that this web site has provided you with the information you were looking for. Thank you for your interest in Williams syndrome. Please send your comments or suggestions to williamssyndrome@insightbb.com.
June 29, 1999
WS Soprano, Gloria Lenhoff, Has Successful Debut With Orchestra
On Sunday, June 27, just two days after her successful performance in the Wheeler Opera
House, Aspen, Colorado, WS lyric soprano, Gloria
Lenhoff
was greeted with a standing ovation and flowers
after she finished her debut with a full symphony orchestra in San Diego, California.
Gloria was accompanied by the orchestra as she sang Ave Maria and selections from La
Boheme, Don Giovanni, and Carousel.
See “With a Song in Her Heart” from the San Diego
Union-Tribune under “What’s New” on these pages. The conductor of the
orchestra, Mr. David Amos, wrote in his weekly column in another newspaper:
“When I first heard Gloria Lenhoff singing, I was impressed 
not only with the accuracy of her performance, but also by her
musicality and enthusiasm.
This was reinforced when I led the orchestra in rehearsal with her. Not only was she fully
prepared, and was flexible in adjusting to the accompaniment of a full symphony orchestra
and my baton, but she was assertive to the point of stopping me and suggesting different
tempos and alternative endings to the various songs. She was an inspiration both to me and
to TICO [Community Orchestra].”
June 27, 1999
Meghan Finn Graduates University Program
Meghan Anne Finn, daughter of Elizabeth and Robert Costello of Santa
Rosa, CA, and Kevin Finn of Newport Beach, CA, graduated June 12 from
National-Louis University of Rosemont, Illinois.
Meghan, a Williams syndrome musician, who was featured on “60 Minutes,” attended
the two year PACE program and received the degree of Professional Assistant
Certificate in Education. Following her graduation, Meghan will join her parents in
their new Santa Rosa, CA home.
Meghan is the third Williams student to graduate a college program. The others are
Amy Koch of New Mexico, and Robert Ackermann of Tennessee.
