Sweet Music Fills the Air at Eleos Music's Gala and Graduation

On Saturday, Eleos Music held its gala concert and graduation at Calvery Church of Pacific Palisades. It was a smash hit, according to family, friends, students and faculty. All eyes were on center stage as a few select students ages 5 to 15 knocked out great performances, playing various classical pieces. The program included delightful renditions of Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and Schubert. 

Eleos Music has three campuses. The Palisades campus is at Palisades Lutheran Church. Calvery Church was chosen as the venue for the gala because it has a larger capacity and organizers hoped for a good turnout.

Husband and wife team Alexander and Rebecca Tseitlin, who live in the Palisades, are award-winning violinists and have created a unique musical school primarily for children and teens. 

"Alexander and I come from very different but excellent musical backgrounds and training, but we saw a need for music education that would bring students from the beginning to the professional level in a way that would maintain the standard of instrumental excellence while developing good and emotionally healthy musicians," Rebecca said at the gala. 

"About 4½ years ago, we combined our knowledge and experience to create a program that includes everything we would have liked to have experienced in our own musical studies—a mixture of Russian, traditional European, American and Suzuki styles. To that end, [our] curriculum is designed to fill in all the gaps and develop the whole musician, giving students not only instrumental instruction but also training in musicianship and music history so that they have an advantage in whichever musical direction they end up choosing."

Rebecca said Eleos seeks to create an atmosphere of encouragement and enjoyment, with frequent and informal recitals. 

The Tseitlins met as music students at UCLA, while training with the same violin professor. Alexander was born into a Russian family with a long line of musical heritage. He began studying music at 3. Rebecca is from Southern California and began playing the piano at 5.  However, her love for the violin far surpassed the piano. Alexander and Rebecca have performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Africa.

After the delightful performance Saturday, the audience was treated to a plentiful array of desserts, including a bundt cake, a sheet cake, cookies, juicy watermelon and lemonade.

“My son and daughter are both training at Eleos Music," said Lexie Brew. Jack, 12, plays the violin and Amanda, 10, plays the piano. "My children have exposed our family to so many wonderful music venues, such as going on our own family trip to the Hollywood Bowl and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.” 

During the school year the curriculum at Eleos is a bit more serious and focuses on solo training.  In the summer, the program focuses on chamber music and tends to be a bit more playful.  According to instructors, fun is an important part of musical development. 

Eleos specializes in classical training because it says it is the best foundation to move into any kind of music. Some of the students go on to play classical music in college, while others play in rock bands, according to Rebecca. 

The Tseitlins have two daughters, Eva, 2, and Sophia, 7 months. Eva is already following in her parents' footsteps and has shown a real ear for classical music. She often requests to hear Haydn, Rebecca said.   

If you are interested in finding out more about instruction with Eleos Music, call 310-285-8202 or click here.