Menuhin Host Concert & Student Showcase
The Menuhin Foundation [Charity #118] celebrated another sold-out Annual Concert at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium on June 14th, marking a joyful highlight in the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary year and showcasing the continued growth of string music education in Bermuda.
A spokesperson said, “Families, friends, donors, and supporters filled the auditorium to celebrate the hard work and dedication of Menuhin students from across the island. The Annual Concert is the moment when Menuhin’s year-long work comes to life on stage, bringing together students at every stage of their musical journey — from Primary Programme students proudly performing on the violin, viola, or cello for the first time, to the Scholarship Awardee soloist and the Foundation’s orchestras.
“This year’s concert carried special meaning as The Menuhin Foundation celebrates 50 years of bringing the love of stringed instruments to Bermuda’s children. Founded in 1976 under the patronage of legendary violinist Baron Yehudi Menuhin, the Foundation has introduced thousands of young people to violin, viola, and cello, helping them discover confidence, discipline, creativity, friendship, and the joy that comes from learning music.
“The audience was warmly welcomed by the Vivace Quartet [Bella Correia, Euan Forster, Prince Domingo, and Oliver Leverock], setting an uplifting tone for the afternoon. One of the afternoon’s highlights was Ruth “Bella” Correia, winner of the 2026 Menuhin Scholarship Competition, who took the spotlight with her solo performance of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major. The piece required rhythmic precision, refined bow control and was technically unforgiving. However, she made the difficult passage sound graceful and effortless. Her performance captivated the auditorium and echoes of “bravo” could be heard from the audience.
“This year also marked an important milestone for the Foundation’s Primary Programme, with the success of the P5/P6 group represented by students from West End Primary School, Elliot Primary, and Dalton E. Tucker Primary School. The P5/P6 group is an extension of the introductory string instruction offered at the school level, giving students the opportunity to continue developing their skills beyond the first stage of exposure.”
“The Foundation has generous donors that have allowed the Foundation to explore ways to deepen its impact, giving more students the chance to build confidence, improve technique, and experience the joy of progressing as young musicians. The Annual Concert is where the Foundation’s impact can be seen and felt. We see the confidence of a child stepping on stage, the pride of families watching, and the shared joy of a community united through music,” said Verde Brown, Chairperson of The Menuhin Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Ms. Brown added, “The Menuhin Foundation’s Primary Programme remains at the heart of the organisation’s work, providing free group lessons to students and giving children the opportunity to experience violin, viola, and cello regardless of background or financial circumstances. Our other purpose is to develop the love of stringed instruments beyond the introduction. We looked at the lack of opportunities for student solo performances and with the growing number of ensembles [quartets and trios], we knew we needed another concert.”
A spokesperson added, “The Foundation’s 50th Anniversary celebrations continued with its first-ever Student Showcase, held on Saturday, June 27. The event created a new and meaningful platform for advanced students to step into the spotlight as soloists. The Student Showcase is an important part of the Menuhin experience because it gives students the opportunity to build confidence, practice performance skills, and celebrate individual progress. For some students, it may be one of their first opportunities to perform in front of an audience. For others, it is a chance to demonstrate how much they have grown over the years.”
Annika Lutkin, an 11-year-old violinist performed a solo performance of Giga and reflected that “the student showcase was inspirational. It gave the younger students an opportunity to observe the achievements of our peers in the higher grade levels. It has encouraged me to set additional goals and aspire to reach those same levels of musicality.”
A spokesperson added, “The mood at the Student Showcase was filled with warmth, camaraderie, and beaming smiles, reflecting the deep sense of community that The Menuhin Foundation continues to foster. It was an afternoon that celebrated not only musical achievement, but also the relationships, memories, and shared history that have shaped the Foundation over the past 50 years.
“The Foundation also honoured Student Volunteer of the Year awarded to Lilah Riker, whose dedication reflects the very best of the Menuhin spirit. While other students often headed home after lessons, Lilah chose to stay, volunteering and giving her time generously to support the Foundation. She also stepped forward assisting the First Orchestra students, helping tune instruments and providing guidance as they developed their skills. Lilah is an example of how one young person, through their own initiative, and quiet service, can make a lasting difference in the community.
“Ms. Brown paid tribute to Mr. John Campbell, the Foundation’s first Chairman of the Board of Trustees, acknowledging his extraordinary dedication and 30 years of service. She noted that The Menuhin Foundation would not have begun, nor endured, without his vision, commitment, and steadfast belief in bringing music education to Bermuda’s children.
“One of the afternoon’s most heartfelt moments came when the Vivace Quartet learned that piano accompanist Ms. Andrea Hodson-Patton had recently celebrated her birthday and surprised her with an impromptu performance of “Happy Birthday.” With the audience warmly joining in. This moment captured the joyful spirit of the Showcase.
“The afternoon was concluded by a touching thank you from graduating Menuhin student Oscar Regan, who began with the Foundation at just three years old. Oscar thanked his teacher, Ms. Kerry Haslam, for her patience and for “putting up with his antics for 15 years,” bringing both laughter and emotion to the room. His words reflected the close bonds formed between students and teachers over many years of learning, encouragement, and growth.”
Ms Brown said, “The Showcase reflected the heart of the Menuhin’s work. Music education is not only about the moment a student performs on stage. It is about the friendships formed during lessons, the confidence built through practice, and the sense of belonging that grows when students learn together over time. These bonds are an important part of the Menuhin experience. Through Menuhin, students become part of a community where they support one another, celebrate each other’s progress, and develop a lasting connection through music.”
“Together, the Annual Concert and Student Showcase demonstrated the strength of The Menuhin Foundation’s programmes and the growing enthusiasm for string music among Bermuda’s young people,” Ms. Brown added. “The Foundation is grateful to the Bermuda Government, private foundations, corporate supporters, individual donors, principals, educators, families, volunteers, trustees, and teachers who make this work possible. Their support helps ensure that music education remains accessible to Bermuda’s children.”
A spokesperson added, “As we celebrate 50 years of The Menuhin Foundation, we are reminded that our greatest achievement is not simply the music our students perform, but the opportunities that music creates for Bermuda’s children. As a registered charity, governed entirely by a volunteer Board of Trustees, the Foundation relies heavily on the generosity of individual donors, corporate sponsors and community partners to sustain our programmes. These contributions make it possible to continue offering our flagship Primary 4 as well as extended P5 & P6 programmes, which provide free weekly string instrument lessons to children across Bermuda, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Research consistently demonstrates that music education strengthens academic performance, improves concentration, builds confidence and resilience, encourages teamwork, and provides an important creative and emotional outlet that can be especially beneficial for students facing personal or educational challenges. This year we have seen a record number of bursary applications from families seeking assistance so their children can continue their musical journey. Every donation—large or small—helps ensure that no child is denied the life-changing benefits of learning a stringed instrument because of financial barriers. With the continued support of our community, we can honour Baron Yehudi Menuhin’s vision by ensuring that future generations of Bermuda’s children continue to experience the joy, discipline, confidence and lifelong opportunities that music brings, allowing as many students as possible the opportunity to learn stringed instruments and receive the many benefits that music brings, by making a personal or corporate donation to The Menuhin Foundation.
“As The Menuhin Foundation celebrates its 50th Anniversary, both events served as powerful reminders of the Foundation’s legacy and future — a community built through music, and a new generation of young musicians continuing that legacy.
“For more information about The Menuhin Foundation, its Primary Programme, individual lessons, orchestras, bursaries, and ways to support its mission, visit www.menuhin.bm or contact trustees@menuhin.bm. Those wishing to contribute may do so at the event or online at: menuhin.bm/donate.”
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