Young musician takes on a new piano

Another young Sisters musician has a chance to hone his chops on the piano, thanks to the Sisters Jazz Festival.

The jazz festival board of directors, through its Keys for Kids program, recently delivered its fourth piano to 12-year-old David Cowan. David is already an accomplished pianist and is currently taking lessons from Donna Moyer.

Three years ago David, his mother Cynthia, and 16-year-old brother Jet moved to Sisters from Portland.

David had two years of instruction in the Portland area, then took a break before beginning lessons again in Sisters. Since coming to Sisters he has played on a keyboard, having no piano available.

When the keyboard quit functioning Cynthia looked to Keys for Kids. About the keyboard, she said, “The key of G broke and it just didn’t work anymore. Then Donna (Moyer) told us about Keys for Kids. So we called.”

Outside of music, David likes “pretty much any sport,” especially soccer and track. He plays soccer through SOAR programs and plans to turn out for track in the spring. His mother says, “he loves to run.”

Under the Keys for Kids program, the Cowans will have the use of the piano for a year, with extensions available. Cynthia said she has saved about half of what she needs and hopes to buy their own piano within a year.

According to spokesman Saf Canja, “The Keys for Kids program is to foster musical education and appreciation and development for the children of Sisters.”

The jazz festival board recently announced the expansion of the Keys for Kids program into band instruments.

The piano program will continue. In addition the board is actively seeking instruments to loan to students interested in playing in the school bands.

If you have an instrument to donate to the program or if you have questions, call Saf Canja at 449-1175.