Flashback: Circa 1990
As a young mother, Cynthia Givens was a champion of her children’s interests and knew exactly what to do when her daughter, Sahara, was eager to learn to play the piano. Cynthia enrolled Sahara at Merit, knowing that this was a community that would be welcoming and supportive of their family’s aspirations.
At that time, Merit was located at Dearborn Station (47 West Polk Street), and Sahara fondly remembers that walking towards the giant clock tower meant something special was in store for her each week as part of the Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory. She explains that, “Being born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, not many of my friends really knew classical music, or understood it, or had the opportunity to play it.”
Cynthia told her daughter, “If you have this opportunity, you take full advantage of it. When they teach you something, then you just have one job and that’s to come home, practice it, and learn it, and when it’s time for you to perform it, you kill it.”
And so that’s what Sahara did.
The Next Generation: Circa 2020
Years later, Sahara found herself in her mother’s shoes when her own daughter, Dynham, showed an interest in music. “I never expected that I would grow up and have a kid who was going to learn a particular instrument—I just knew my kid was going to be great because I know that there’s greatness in everyone!”
Sahara enjoyed watching little Dynham explore the world around her. She recalls, “When Dynham was little, my job as a mom was to try different things with her and pay attention to her.”
It wasn’t long before a particular affinity surfaced, and Sahara was watching. Walking through store aisles, Dynham would beat out rhythms on canned goods with energy and determination. Rather than attempting to restrain her, Sahara took note of her daughter’s enthusiasm for percussive creativity. Remembering vividly, Sahara shares her favorite family anecdote, “Finally one day, she came to me and was like, ‘Mom, can I take my allowance money and buy this drum pad?’ I let her buy the drum pad!”
“My mom played piano when she was my age and my grandma enrolled her into Merit. During quarantine, I discovered that I wanted to play percussion, so my parents put me into Merit and it’s helped me grow more as a musician and as a person.”
Like her own mother, and like many other Merit parents, Sahara knew the instrument alone wasn’t enough to fully unleash her daughter’s musical energy. “I know who can get you prepared. Merit was my first thought.” Sahara enrolled Dynham at Merit and both agree it has set her on track to reach her goals.
Continuing the Success: Today
Now a junior in high school, Dynham studies percussion in the Conservatory, and especially loves playing jazz. She hopes to continue to study music in college and offers, “Merit’s helped me grow more as a musician and as a person. I want to make a future for myself out of it.” Next on the wish list for this budding young percussionist are a cowbell, drum set, and vibraphone.
Today, Sahara looks back and celebrates how her mother offered her a life of music through involvement with Merit. She also looks forward to and celebrates that Merit is still that special place that allows her daughter a life of joy in music.
