Up Bow, Down Bow

A Child with Down Syndrome and His Journey to Master the Cello

When fourth grader Alex Schwartz first met his cello, his eyes lit up with wonder, and a smile appeared on his face as bright as the potential his new cello teacher saw within him. The cello positively impacted all aspects of his development, including focus, fine motor, and gross motor skills.

Through the transformative power of music, Alex's voice sings through his cello in songs of joy, determination, and strength. Up Bow, Down Bow shares the beauty of his ongoing musical journey and tells of the vital teamwork between a young music teacher with an endless belief in the abilities of her students, and a mother with ceaseless love, support, and hope for her son who has down syndrome, epilepsy, and hypotonia.

©2022 Nancy M. Schwartz and April E. Beard (P)2023 Nancy M. Schwartz and April E. Beard