At Local 4, our Go 4 It Campaign highlights people, businesses, and organizations doing good and helping others in the community. The Sphinx organization is one of them. The group exposes youth to endless musical opportunities they may not otherwise have. One of them is a 13 year old violinist named Zephaniah Pharr who’s been with the Sphinx overture program for 6 years and was featured on “Live In The D”.
“We provide the 1st access in elementary in Detroit and Flint, putting instruments in the hands of kids for the first time,” Ana Abrantes, Director of Education for Sphinx said.
She said they provide everything from the instruments to the instructors for free. They currently offer the overture program at 5 schools in Detroit, including Gompers Elementary/Middle, where Zephaniah attends.
“What first caught my attention with the violin? It was challenging,” Zephaniah said. He has accepted that challenge, and said although there’s been times he wanted to give up, he didn’t, because it’s a good opportunity he didn’t want to waste.
He’s performed at Orchestra Hall 8 times, and is preparing for a spring concert there on May 11, 2025.
To see the full interview and learn more about Sphinx, click the video above.