Topeka resident Dorothy Risebig with her violin.
There’s something about a violin. The sweet sound is soothing and refined, and Topeka Presbyterian Manor resident Dorothy Risebig has been enjoying both playing and teaching this instrument for many, many years. While she’s lived at Presbyterian Manor less than a year, she’s already graced us with her musical talent and can sometimes be heard “serenading” a neighbor with a birthday song.
“I started playing the violin when I was 12. My teacher would take me around to the other schools to play, and I asked him why. He said, ‘Because you’re good.’ I guess I was because I kept on playing,” said Dorothy.
Not only did she keep on playing, but she eventually began teaching violin lessons.
“I started teaching younger students, anywhere from 4 to 5 then on up to high school. I was really busy during the summer months. Sometimes, I’d get big groups of kids to play, 20 to 30 at a time. We used a method called the Suzuki method,” said Dorothy.
Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki developed this method more than 50 years ago, which has a focus on parent responsibility, loving encouragement and constant repetition.
“That Suzuki stuff is really good. One to two times a month we’d all come together and play pieces we knew. Most of the students would play the same thing. We sounded pretty good. We’d work on it a lot. You have to watch posture a lot when you learn any instrument. You either look interested or you look disinterested, and don’t hold it well. You’ve got to watch it really carefully,” Dorothy said.
Dorothy’s passion and attention to detail are evident in the success of her former students. One is a music instructor at Fort Hays State University and the other in the Lindsborg school district. And although they didn’t pick up the violin, Dorothy inspired her daughters to pursue careers in music. They play the bassoon and oboe in the St. Joseph, Mo., Symphony.
Dorothy hopes her daughters will be able to come showcase their talents for her fellow Presbyterian Manor residents, and she’s proud of the musical legacy she’s creating.
“I’ve had about 50 students over the years. My favorite thing is to see the parent involvement. When they go home with their mother or father who have taken notes, the parents are so interested. Some even learn to play themselves,” said Dorothy.
Since moving into Presbyterian Manor, Dorothy still sees students, although not as many. She also enjoys spending time with her cat Sugar Babe, who’s known to hide in his box when she pulls out her violin to play.
“I used to have a cat that would climb up around my neck when I played. It made it a little difficult,” Dorothy said.
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