* *
When I was younger, that's what
I devoted all my free time to,
was my music.
And as I went on in life and
did a variety of other things,
everything kept pushing
me back to music.
* *
>> Dinorah Marquez's story
is one of immigration
and inspiration.
>> I was a border child.
I grew up along the border.
I didn't speak a word of English
when I moved to
the United States.
I was actually quite shy
and scared of being here.
And eventually,
I was fortunate enough
to land in a school that had
an amazing orchestra program
and a great orchestra teacher.
That's what gave me my voice.
I started playing an instrument,
and just sort of gave me
my life.
One, two, three, four...
* *
>> Since 2002, Dinorah's life
has been devoted to being
the director of Milwaukee's
Latino Arts Strings Program.
It engages students
from age 5 to 18
in classical music training.
It's the kind of opportunity
that's usually too expensive
for low-income children.
While it's gained national
attention, it's a program
Dinorah had to fight for.
>> I don't think the principal
liked it, because he knew I was
looking for something specific.
About a couple of weeks later,
they called me and they said
they wanted to have it happen,
and we did it.
* *
Ah, the second time,
she couldn't make it.
But it was good the first time!
>> The program works to build
self-confidence, discipline, and
focus through total immersion.
In fact, the group
has become so popular,
they've been invited to share
their musical gifts at
celebrations across Wisconsin.
* *
>> One, two, three, and...
* *
>> She's a little strict,
but we all like her,
because she's really fun.
>> Oh... wake up!
>> She gets down to business
right away, and she'll have us
practice a song till it's
perfect.
>> It's not just music that
Dinorah infuses in her students.
It's her culture and traditions,
their culture and traditions.
>> Beautiful homework
assignments, when they first
learn "Las Mananitas,"
is they have to call abuelita
or somebody back,
or maybe somebody they've
never met in person, but they
love, because they know it's
a part of their family,
and play it for them.
[speaking Spanish]
>> The homework is not to play
it for them, the homework is
to make them cry, because
that emotional connection
is what makes the child realize
how important it is
at a very visceral level.
>> It's a really good feeling
to know that you're, like,
making other people happy,
that you're reminding them
of their past.
It helps me embrace my culture
and learn more about it.
Like, I'll learn the songs
that my parents grew up with,
and my grandparents,
and my great-grandparents.
I think it's cool, because,
I can learn classical music,
which is really fun, but
I also learn Mariachi music,
which is also really fun.
* *
>> Dinorah is grateful
to the orchestra teacher
who gave her a voice
those many years ago.
And now, it's Dinorah's music
that gives her students
a voice of their own.
>> It makes the child realize
the value of their culture,
and our culture, and our music,
which we could otherwise
completely ignore as immigrants.
Then, it helps them reconnect
back with their family.
To know that we can contribute
a little bit here and there,
and seeing the blossoming