Sister Anita Kurowski teaches music at Nazareth Elementary School and grew up surrounded by music lovers. She fondly remembers singing in the car, in church, and with her grandmother who used to sing songs with her and her siblings accompanied by autoharp. She picked up violin when she was 7, and later became involved in band playing clarinet and tenor saxophone. But when it came to selecting an instrument for college, she chose voice.
"I've been singing all my life," said Sr. Anita. "In singing, you let music pass through you." For Sr. Anita, singing is also intrinsically connected to prayer. Music is something very spiritual. "You become one with the music," said Sr. Anita.
Since she started teaching music at Nazareth Elementary in 2011, Sr. Anita has kindled musicianship in her students year after year, each concert more gripping than the last. More than that, she's seeing the sense of community music builds. "Music is a powerful experience of community," said Sr. Anita. "Music is part of the core of who we are." She gives students a sense of ownership with their music education by encouraging them to contribute their own ideas. "Children are intensely creative and deeply touched by music," said Sr. Anita. "Sometimes when I play powerful music, the children respond by talking about the great mysteries of human life: God and death."
To learn more about Sister Anita, visit: http://www.nazarethschools.org/webpages/akurowski/index.cfm
Nazareth Elementary School Music
Sisters of St. Joseph
- by Alyssa Rodriguez