Strumenti Supports Artists with Top Quality Instruments

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

Whether the music is pop, rhythm and blue, country, rock, bluegrass or classical, musicians should have top-quality instruments to get the perfect sound. The cost of instruments can be astronomical and unapproachable for rising, talented artists.

Melissa White is a violin soloist and chamber musician who recently performed in the D.C. area for the Library of Congress with the Harlem Quartet, a group of string musicians she co-founded. Wherever she performs, White’s constant companion is “The Oliveira” c1780 Ferdinando Gagliano violin that is hers to play through a unique investment from Strumenti, a funding organization for acquiring exquisite, rare string instruments. Contained in the full name of the violin is “c1780,” which tells the age of White’s violin.

“I saw the violin first on “Sesame Street” when I was four. Itzhak Pearlman was the guest. I fell in love with the way it fit his chin,” said White, who recently was the featured violinist with the Nation- al Philharmonic. Making Dreams Come True Strumenti is a new organi zation founded in 2022. The co-founders and managing directors of Strumenti are Steve Obenski and Jim Kelly. Their mission for Strumenti is straightforward and personal.

“Ever since I’ve been in the vio lin business, I’ve had people strug gle with being able to afford what they need. It’s been this constant cycle,” said Kelly, president and CEO of the National Philharmonic and a vio linist himself.

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