Lafayette is rallying behind a homegrown flute phenom set to study abroad with a world-renowned master in Germany.
Roldon Brown
You're probably acquainted with Roldon Brown's story by now: A 2008 honor grad of the UL Lafayette School of Music, Roldon was raised in a single-parent household. His family went without a water heater for nearly a year so his mom could continue to afford his flute lessons. He has a pretty serious stuttering problem, but speaks eloquently through his flute. Roldon beat out scores of international competitors in July to win a multi-year scholarship studying with renowned flutist Thaddeus Watson at the Frankfurt School of Music & Performing Arts in Germany. Although his academic bill is covered by the scholarship, his living expenses - boarding, food and transportation - are not. Have any of you been to Europe lately? The exchange rate sucks!
That's where we come in, Ind readers. A PayPal account has been established to help Roldon pursue his classical music dreams. Give a little or give a lot, but just give. We've met Roldon. He's a great, humble kid who, despite adversity, has big dreams of performing, teaching and helping economically disadvantaged children pursue their own dreams in classical music.
Contact Dao Gifts & Fine Art at (337) 326-4691
to find our more about this painting being
auctioned on Roldon's behalf.
An instructor at the Acadiana Symphony Conservatory who also performs with the Acadiana and Rapides symphonies, Roldon leaves for Germany in less than two weeks.
To also aid in this community effort, former Acadiana Symphony conductor Xiao-Lu Li and his family, proprietors of Dao Gifts & Fine Art, have donated a painting, "Beauty with Bamboo Flute," a 36"x24" oil on linen by emerging Chinese artist Yong Liu that is expected to fetch between $5,000 and $10,000. Proceeds will help underwrite Roldon's adventure in Germany. The young flutist is also supported by the National Stuttering Foundation.
You can use this link to donate to Roldon's PayPal account. You can also search Facebook for "Roldon Brown, Flutist" to learn more about Roldon and offer words of encouragement.