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Welcome Letter from Robert G. Brink

Safioleas studied the violin privately with the late Robert G. Brink of the New England Conservatory while in high school.   He has so many fond memories from his lessons with Maestro Brink.   Mr. Brink was an early riser, as shown by the time he wrote this letter - Thursday at 4am!  This is a letter that the master educator sent to him, which welcomed him as his next violin student.  

It begins, "Congratulations on passing your audition - I wish I could have been there to hear it!" 

The audition that Mr. Brink was referring to was for the Massachusetts All-State Orchestra, which performed at Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday, March 13, 2004.  Maestro Brink coached Safioleas on the audition piece, which was the first movement of Dmitri Kabalevsky's Violin Concerto in C Major, Op. 48. 

All-State Concert Ticket

A wonderful memory, this ticket was from the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Concert, which was held at Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 1pm.  Safioleas had the privilege of performing with the All-State Orchestra at the event as a violinist.  He recalls performing Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony in E Minor, Op. 27, that afternoon.  Safioleas was subsequently interviewed by the local radio station regarding his opportunity to perform at the historic concert venue. 

Andrew As A Child

Here, a photograph was taken of Andrew as he performed for his classmates at the Jireh Swift Elementary School in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in the 1990s.  Andrew would frequently give performances to his classmates as a treat.  

Andrew began playing the violin in the third grade.  His instructor, Marilyn Melanson, visited his class one day with her sister--also a stringed instrument instructor--Teresa Ouellette, to introduce the students to stringed instruments.  Marilyn and Teresa performed various duets, including "Popeye the Sailor Man" and "Turkey in the Straw."  The rest, as they say, is history!  Elements from Andrew's childhood experiences with music are present in his juvenile educational work, "The Wonderful Gift Of Music."

Andrew and Norma Gulecas

The late Norma Gulecas introduced Andrew to the Fall River Symphony Orchestra of Fall River, Massachusetts while he was in high school.  Thanks to her encouragement and referral, Andrew joined the Fall River Symphony Orchestra as a first violinist.  The Symphony was then under the direction of Maestro Ann Danis.  Andrew played with the FRSO for the remainder of his high school career, and after he graduated college, he re-joined the group.  Little did he know, he would also end up serving on its Board of Directors and as the Personnel Manager for several years. 

Andrew with His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios and Reverend Bebis

Here, Andrew is with His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston (Center) and the Late Very Reverend Archimandrite Constantine S. Bebis (Right) at the Greek Orthodox Church, formerly located in New Bedford, Massachusetts.  Andrew performed a version of the emotional and chilling, Χορός του Ζαλόγγου ("Dance of Zalongo") on his violin for all those in attendance.  

Andrew at Symphony Hall

Here, Andrew is with his mother, sister, and father in front of the Henry Lee Higginson bust at Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts.  The date was Saturday, March 13, 2004, and Andrew had concluded his performance with the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Orchestra. 

Thank You Card - The Thomas Family

It is always incredibly heartwarming to observe the impact that a teacher's education has on his or her students.  Safioleas has had many rewarding experiences over the years.  Here, the family of his former violin student, Madison Thomas, thanks him for his years of instruction and leadership.  Additionally, Madison writes a personal note.   Safioleas would later go on to teach violin to Madison's sister, Kendall, after Madison left the area to pursue  her college studies.