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LARCHMONT, N.Y. Olivia Barsky, 4, is learning how to play the ukulele and soon the violin at the Larchmont Music Academy, making Thursday's program at the Larchmont Library featuring classical music a must for the toddler.
Olivia's mother Joanna of New Rochelle brought her daughter to the library for "The Green Golly and Her Golden Flute," a fairytale based on Rapunzel, which weaves classical music and storytelling into a kid-friendly program.
"I think it was a great way to introduce kids to classical music in a fun setting," said Joanna Barsky, whose daughter attends Mount Tom Day School in Pelham.
The program was performed by the Green Golly Project, a husband and wife duo that tour the world telling their story to kids in the hopes of introducing them to classical music. Barbara Siesel plays the Green Golly, a young girl whose parents gave her to a witch in exchange for food. Keith Torgan narrates and plays the voice of several characters, including the witch who imprisons Green Golly in a tower. After years of imprisonment, her hair grows incredibly long and "incredibly strong," like Rapunzel, and masters the flute.
The Green Golly Project has made its musical fairytale into a CD, a copy of which was raffled off for one giddy child. Olivia, who could barely contain her excitement during the program, leapt up when her name was drawn.
Like Olivia, her friend Alexis Chung, 4, was interested in the program because she, too, plays an instrument, her mother Sun said. Alexis, who lives in Manhattan, plays the piano.
While Kyle and Mason Jennings, both 6, don't play any instruments, the program peeked their curiosity. Like Torgan, by the end of the program both Larchmont boys were playing air guitar and drums.
"The children's programs here are great," said their mother Kendra Jennings. "They're good for all ages."
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