HIGH 5

High 5: 14-Year-Old Donates Restored Violins To Music Class

Feb 5, 2020, 1:26 PM | Updated: Sep 13, 2020, 10:43 am

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The music students at Mountain View Elementary School got a big surprise recently — all thanks to a talented high schooler.

Zeke Sokoloff is a violin virtuoso. He’s only been playing for about four years, but he’s already performed with the Utah Symphony and has a long music career ahead of him.

Zeke is a student with the Gifted Music School. Through one of its outreach programs, he saw a need at Mountain View Elementary’s music program.

“There wasn’t enough violins for everybody,” he said. “Some people had to share.”

Bianka Chavez, a Mountain View student, said sharing the violins caused issues with learning how to play.

“You have to put in multiple hours on the weekends as well, so there’s not always enough for everybody to take home a violin and try to get better on their own,” she said. “So that’s hard.”

Zeke got a violin repair shop to donate a bunch of old violins. He then needed to find the money to be able to fix them up.

Through online donations and working at the local farmer’s market, he was able to raise a total of $600, which in turn restored 30 violins.

When the instruments arrived, the students and teachers were very excited.

“It was really cool because, like, we had all these big, huge variations of violins,” Bianka said.

“I cried,” teacher Rachel Taft said. “It’s a very emotional thing having somebody of that age take it upon themselves to do something wonderful like this.”

Zeke’s parents said he’s not only a huge fan of music but, like any good Utahn, he also loves the Jazz.

Because of his hard work, KSL TV gave Zeke a High 5, complete with a Donovan Mitchell jersey and tickets to see a Jazz game in the lower bowl.

After hearing about such an amazing project from a student in their community, America First Credit Union wanted to go the extra mile.

“Zeke, we just wanted to tell you how proud of you we are for taking an opportunity to help others in need,” said BJ Lund with America First Credit Union as he presented the young man with a $500 America First Visa gift card.

Now, when the kids at the school play, they’re playing a happier tune knowing that they have plenty of instruments.

“It’s just really cool for me to be able to help somebody do what I am very passionate about, something that I love doing,” Zeke said.

If you know someone who deserves a KSL High 5, nominate them here:

KSL 5 TV Live

High 5

(KSL TV)...

Dan Spindle, KSL TV

HIGH 5: Utah Group Packs Thousands Of Bags To Feed Kids Through Summer Months

There are Utah children who won't go hungry thanks to some caring volunteers with USANA Kids Eat.

2 years ago

Chris Schunk is a special education teacher at Snowcrest Junior High School. (KSL TV)...

Haley Smith, Cary J. Schwanitz, KSL TV

High 5: Special Ed Teacher Treats Students As People First

Students and parents at Snowcrest Junior High couldn’t imagine a day without special education teacher Chris Schunk as they navigated the highs and lows of the last school year in the middle of the pandemic.  

3 years ago

Crossing Guard Verl Creager makes sure to wave at every car, every day. (KSL TV)...

Haley Smith & Matthew Jacobson, KSL TV

High 5: Crossing Guard’s Kind Gesture Brightens Community

Verl Creager is the school crossing guard at Valley Elementary School. Many don't know his name, but they know who he is because of a simple gesture. He makes sure to wave at every car that passes by.

3 years ago

Photo provided by Sticky Chicken...

Dan Spindle & Matthew Jacobson, KSL TV

High 5: Cooking Up Life Lessons That Stick At Sticky Bird

Sticky Bird in Farmington seems like any other fast, casual chicken restaurant, but what happens behind the scenes is the real recipe for a better life. 

3 years ago

(KSL TV)...

Shara Park, KSL TV

High 5: Utahns Step Up To Help Clear The Snow

During the recent winter storms, countless Utahns stepped up to help both neighbors and strangers clear snow.

3 years ago

...

Grant Weyman & Matthew Jacobson, KSL TV

High 5: Grant Elementary Grateful For Attentive Principal

At Grant Elementary School in Murray, there are some very grateful people who appreciate their principal. 

3 years ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

High 5: 14-Year-Old Donates Restored Violins To Music Class