Creating a template in his shop and using his specialized tools, community member Jeff Williams mass produced enough cardboard violin bodies for all of the OPUS kindergartners during the past two years AND all of the kindergartners who will attend Fireweed, Chapman, and Paul Banks during the next three years. Homer OPUS and nearly 500 kindergartners past, present, and future are grateful to Jeff for his creativity and generosity. Thanks Jeff!

Cardboard violins are lightweight, durable replicas of real violins used and are used in early music education, especially for young beginners. They help children develop proper posture, bow hold, and handling techniques before transitioning to real instruments. The purpose of using cardboard violins in the kindergarten program at Homer OPUS is to introduce young learners to the fundamentals of violin playing in a fun, engaging, and pressure-free way. This approach builds confidence, motor skills, and musical interest, while ensuring a smooth transition to real violins when they are ready.