String musicians raising money for cello instructor’s visa fees

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Students of cello instructor Bianca d'Avila Do Prado at the Suzuki String Academy in Sandpoint are looking for help to raise money for attorney fees to help their instructor obtain her Extraordinary Ability visa.

Jamie Davis, organizer of a GoFundMe page that had garnered $515 of its $9,000 goal as of Friday afternoon, said she began taking cello lessons from Prado when she started teaching at the academy in January.

Previously, Davis said, she had started teaching herself over the summer, but made slow progress with only instructional videos and books to guide her. Since starting lessons with Prado, she’s seen a huge improvement in herself and her peers, she said.

“She makes it sound like she just teaches our group, but like, she really brings us together,” Davis said. “There are eight of us adults that — we would never have tried to do this on our own. But she got us together in a short amount of time, [and] we actually sound really good.”

Prado, who moved to the states from Brazil three years ago for two master’s degrees in string pedagogy and cello performance, moved to Sandpoint after graduation.

Foreign students are allowed to spend a year working before returning to their home country, she said, and she quickly knew Sandpoint was the place she wanted to be. She loves the people and the way of life, she said, but especially loves the appreciation for classical music.

“We don't have orchestras in schools in Brazil,” she said. “So there's not a lot of people playing the cello. I used to teach in a big school in the capital of my state, like a 4 million person [city]. And I had the same number of students in a very traditional, big school, [as I do here]. So I'm totally amazed about how people really love playing here, love music and the cello, so I could never wish for a better program.”

To remain in the states within the one-year timeframe, the “Extraordinary Ability” visa is the fastest one to get approved, she said. Other visas would be less expensive, but the application likely could not be completed before her one-year postgraduate term is up.

Prado also teaches cello to Davis’s daughter, Davis said, as well as instructing an amateur adult group of cellists. She currently teaches a total of 20 students at the Suzuki String Academy.

In addition, Davis added, Prado will be working for the University of Idaho at the Lionel Hampton School of Music Preparatory Division, adding another 10 students through the school to her roster. Prado also composes music, and will soon be published, Davis said.

Prado has extensive experience, and love, for both performance and instruction, she said — but she definitely couldn’t imagine her life without teaching.

Seeing the growth in her students and making connections with them is a deeply rewarding experience, Prado said.

“It's so amazing to see, to watch them growing, and to watch them coming to a group and playing with other kids,” Prado said. “These relationships they have with the other players will help their personality to develop. People change, not just as players, but also as spirits because of the music they are making.”

Davis, who has depression, anxiety and PTSD, said learning to play the cello from Prado has helped her through difficult times.

“Playing the cello has been so helpful for my well-being. Bianca has been a huge part in having that experience and just kind of having that outlet that helps me heal,” Davis said.

The GoFundMe to help with Prado’s visa expenses can be found at bit.ly/3yPE9A7 .