A music teacher’s housing emergency

Esther Warkov is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Sandra Layman.

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Please help Sandra with moving-related expenses, medical debt, and ongoing health treatments.

Sandra Layman is a senior violin and viola teacher in Seattle whose rental cottage is being sold to a developer this month. Sandra urgently needs our help as she faces expenses that far exceed her resources. These include moving, deposits on a new rental, increased monthly rent, a first smartphone, a replacement bed (required by her new landlady, since her old bed is affected by mildew), and unexpected medical bills. Her large library of teaching materials needs to be cleaned from the mildew that invaded her rental. With your help, we can make all of this happen!

Please help Sandra get established in a new home so she can continue sharing the gift of music with her students while building the income she urgently needs.

Sandra is a kind and caring person who has worked hard to overcome life’s challenges. When we met in 1978 in a University of Washington Middle-Eastern musical group, I discovered that Sandra was also proficient in classical music, and Greek, Romanian, Jewish, and other musical styles. She co-founded the Pacific Northwest’s first klezmer band in 1980, played in a violin-cimbalom duo with the late Alexander Eppler, and was a regular performer on Seattle stages. You might have enjoyed her acclaimed CD, “Little Blackbird.”

I followed her career which included a Fulbright Fellowship to Romania for violin study and music research. Who would have known that the Romanian revolution would break out during her stay? Living under such harsh conditions took a serious toll on Sandra’s health and prevented her from performing for many years.

Upon returning to the US, and unable to continue her music career, Sandra began working as an interpreter and translator. Eventually she was able to return to teaching the violin and viola; she is devoted to her students, both kids and adults. Over the years, she has invested her limited income in continual professional training and learning, including becoming a registered Suzuki violin teacher, as well as a member of several professional teachers’ associations. Visit her website sandralayman.com: https://bit.ly/31F9kP3 and read the testimonials from her students below.

As a former piano instructor, I can recognize a dedicated colleague. At the same time, I know how difficult it is to make a living teaching music.

Sandra deserves our help. She has given so much of herself to others. It’s time to help her so she can continue teaching her students ranging from small children to 80+ in age, and to build the resources she needs to live a healthy and productive life.

Sandra is an exceptional teacher who helps the most challenged students succeed. Please help her with a contribution in any amount to move this summer. While I have initiated this fundraiser, 100% of your contributions will go directly to Sandra.

Thank you!
--Esther Warkov, Ph.D.
Retired former member, Seattle Music Teachers Association

sandralayman.com: https://bit.ly/31F9kP3
https://www.facebook.com/SandraLaymanMusic/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandralayman/

Testimonials

"I am a former educator working in adult education and an adult violin student with no prior experience with the violin. I have been taking violin lessons from Sandra Layman for the past two years and I am very happy about having found her as a teacher. Sandra is an excellent musician and teacher, methodical, highly skilled in teaching techniques, with an expert level knowledgeable in music theory and music history and a passion to share her expertise and knowledge. In her teaching approach, she is encouraging and simultaneously challenging me to do my best. The lessons with her are one of the highlights of my week, and I feel energized and happy when I leave her studio. I highly recommend Ms. Layman as a teacher."
- Britta Simon

“My son loves going to his violin lesson! Sandra is very knowledgeable and patient and is able to guide him through the often-frustrating process of learning to play while nurturing his love of music.”
- Anna Chapman

"Sandra is an amazing teacher! Very encouraging and kind, she's been an inspiring teacher. People say as you get older, it's hard to learn new skills, but Sandra is patient and it's obvious that she's very passionate about teaching. Sandra has definitely been one of the best teachers I've had, both musically and otherwise."
- Elena Cheung, viola student; University of Washington student

"Sandra inspires me to express the emotional power that draws me into the music. Sandra's technical skills and her ability to share their mechanics, have made creating personally satisfying music attainable for me. I value the lessons I have had with Sandra very much, and continue to learn from them long after they are over. "
- Janet Fagan, violin student; Teaching Artist (www.JanetFagan.com); violinist with "Seattle Klezmer"

"[Sandra] has enhanced my singing experience enormously with her knowledge of music, skill, patience, kindness and supportive feedback . She also has a great sense of humor--making our lessons a lot of fun. One could not want a better teacher."
- Ron Schneeweiss, MD; sight-singing, ear-training, and music-theory student

"Secretly famous, Sandra Layman has a vast wealth of knowledge, and she does not stint to share it. She's the Go-To Girl for all things violinic, especially Klezmer, Romanian, Turkish, Arabic, Greek, Hungarian, and probably a few others. O, yeah, and classical. Ask her a question, then hold on tight, 'cause you'll get answers to aspects of your inquiry you didn't even know existed."
- Constantin Parvulescu, violin student; primas (violinist and leader) of Ensemble Sub Masa and other popular bands; luthier

"Dear Sandra,
Thank you for teaching me many things. Now I know that music is one way to make my dreams come true. You are the best teacher I had ever had."
- Jeanette Lin, age 11

“It is truly incredible the love Sandra has for all of her students. She truly cares about how we are doing, gets excited about our accomplishments, and is so supportive. A VERY talented and flexible teacher. She teaches for all the right reasons. I can't say how honored and lucky I am to be taking lessons from Sandra. Highly HIGHLY recommend Sandra Layman as a teacher!!!!!”
-Theodora Teodosiadis

"I am an 84 year old violin student of Sandra Layman. After not having played for about half a century, I decided to try the instrument again. My first attempts were not very successful. Then I discovered Sandra, and things changed drastically. In her I found a combination of warmth and expertise that made my weekly lessons an absolute pleasure."
-Heles Contreras

"I appreciate all the 'extras' like the group lessons and parent sessions/info you provide, as well as your very holistic approach that balances fundamentals, theory, technique, and ensemble playing that focuses on developing the whole musician. I can tell Aiden really appreciates you too."
- Jeff Janeczko