Easton Area Student Gets Gift of Music

Anna Smith walked into the music room at Easton Area Middle School recently not knowing she had the surprise of her life waiting for her.

There, standing in a wooden case was a cello—only for her.

"I'm in shock. I don't know what to say. I'm really happy," said Smith, 13, a 7th grader and cellist in Donna Palmer's school orchestra. "It's a great honor. I'm happy to accept it."

The gift came as a donation from Dave Kellner, an 80-year-old Easton area resident who said he could no longer play the cello because of his arthritis.

"I thought I would put the cello to better use," Kellner said to Palmer, Smith and Smith's parents Keith and Katie.

"This is unbelievable," her father said.

Smith tested out the cello by playing it for a few minutes to a round of applause. (See video below.)

Palmer said that cellos can cost about $1,400 brand new. Palmer said she has 122 band members and 93 in her orchestra, including Smith, who has been playing the cello since fourth grade.

"She's very bright and talented," Palmer said of Smith. "She's a sweetheart."

Palmer said that the school sometimes receives instrument donations. But this one was really special.

"It was a complete surprise," she said. "To donate an instrument to a specific student doesn't happen often."

Smith was just thrilled with her gift.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity with this awesome cello," Smith said. "I think it's great. I'm shaking."