101: Anayi - Jose Santana / Michael-
012: Brendan / Kaeden Price
202: Nelson's Class - Quiana's neck-/Anjeliah


Dear Mr. Johnson,

This is David Saphra writing to you, the father of Raphael Saphra, the cellist/composer from Irvington High School Orcheestra you coached two weekends ago at the Kennedy Center. It was such a remarkable experience on so many different levels that I wanted to let you know the extent of the impact you left.

In the first place, sitting in the audience that evening, I was not even aware of the fact that the group had been coached by you but as soon as I saw Raphael I immedadiately remarked that I had I noticed such a striking difference in the approach to presenting his piece, especially in terms of the dynamics.

When my son began to explain to me the dynyamics of the rehearsal, how the students had selected his piece to be used for coaching purposes and then how you had then put it to such good use I was genuinely moved. When Raphael described to me how you turned to him for information about imagery in the various sections in the pieces to make aedjustments to articulations I truly wished I could have been there. Raphael's only disappointmentment was that there was no time to finish up the very last portion of the piece at your coaching, although I know he understood the reasons for this and I am sure he appereciated, on balance, the in-depth treatment you gave his piece.

Two months from now I will be retiring after having taught music in the New York Public Schools for roughly twenty-six years, and this story from the Kennedy Center involving my own son and you, will no doubt become one of my favorite experiences that I will carry with me.

I hope there are many other students enjoying the pleasure of your encounter that are as fortunate as well.

Yours truly,
David Saphra



Dear 

On _____ and ________ I recieved two letters from a neighbor, Mark Malina, threatening legal action that should not be considered justified. For the entire time I have lived in Irvington, over 15 years,  I have walked the route that Mr. Malina now claims constitutes trespass. Moreover, high school students have used that same route for over 40 years as well. Perhaps Mr. Malina is unaware of the New York State provision that applies in situtaions of this type known as prescriptive easement which enforces   the public's right to use well-established short-cuts that have been in use for many years.

I have no quarrel with Mr. Malina personally, and am perplexed that he has chosen to single me out when appaently all others are allowed to use this shortcut, insofar as I can see. However, I would I would like you to please keep this letter on file in case Mr. Malina does attempt in future to block anyone else's access to the this important right of way.