News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 7/2/03 Click on image for publication quality photo YOUNG VIOLINIST – Jivka Jeleva, who teaches violin in Southeastern Louisiana University’s Community Music School, works with one of her pupils, seven year old Alexa LeSaicherre of Ponchatoula. Students can study with Jeleva on Southeastern’s main campus or at the university’s St. Tammany Center, located in the St. Tammany Parish Government complex on Koop Drive.  SOUTHEASTERN’S COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OFFERING VIOLIN INSTRUCTION IN ST. TAMMANY       HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University’s Community Music School is offering violin instruction at the St. Tammany Center, the university’s satellite campus, as well as on the Hammond campus.       The instructor is Jivka Jeleva, who recently earned her master’s degree in music from Southeastern and has joined the CMS staff full time, said CMS Interim Director Dan Campbell.       Established in 1995, the Community Music School offers quality music instruction to students of all ages, both children and adults. In private and group lessons, students can study a variety of instruments from cello to trombone to voice; participate in small instrumental ensembles, theory lessons and master classes; and show off their new skills at annual recitals. Lessons are taught by Southeastern faculty, graduate and undergraduate students,  and professional community musicians.        Jeleva is a native of Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, and a graduate of the P. Vladigerov Music Academy in Sofia. Before coming to the United States and Southeastern, she performed with the Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. At Southeastern, she has performed with the Chamber Orchestra and the String Quartet.        Currently, Jeleva is teaching 18 violin students, 16 of them at the St. Tammany Center, which is located in the St. Tammany Parish government complex on Koop Drive north of Interstate 12.         Jeleva said she began studying the violin at the age of eight and, like many young children, rebelled against practicing. “The best motivation,” she said, “is the opportunity to play on stage.” She has seen her young pupils blossom with the achievement of mastering their first songs and performing in the spotlight.       “The violin acoustically is one of the most perfect instruments ever built,” she said. “It very much resembles the human voice.”       For more information about Community Music School instruction, contact CMS at 985-549-5502. A link to the Community Music School’s webpage, which includes tuition information, is available at www.selu.edu/music. Return to News Releases