MUSIC
30
SEASON OF THE ARTS
John Enyart, who developed the Treasure Coast Youth Symphony, heads the
strings department at Morningside Academy in Port St. Lucie.
our big family, we had duets, trios, string trios, quartets and
male quartet singing. What a gift music and great parents are
to a family,” he says.
John’s children share his sentiments. Son Thomas says,
“My father is an amazing man. He is my hero.” And daughter
Janie adds, “My mom is a saint!”
John and his wife, Elizabeth, met at God’s Bible College in
Cincinnati, Ohio. “I finished a Bachelor of Theology and a
Liberal Arts degree there. My wife did likewise. I went on to
the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (University of
Cincinnati) and completed a Master in Music Education, and
a Ph.D. in Musicology and Music Theory.”
TREASURE COAST ARRIVAL
The Enyarts arrived in Port St. Lucie in 1985 and discovered
that there was no organized program for his advanced
string students. With the aid of Diane Float, the string instructor
at Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce, the Treasure
Coast Youth Symphony was born. Enyart, who was conductor
of the Treasure Coast Symphony at the time, wanted to
have the adult musicians mentor the youngsters. Twenty-five
years later, professional musicians continue to donate time to
help with the Youth Symphony. Three of Enyart’s own grandchildren
play in the orchestra, including scholarship-winning
cellist Kathryn Adams.
In the tradition of his parents, John and Elizabeth have
made music a real family affair. “When our family gets
together occasionally on Sunday afternoons,” he says, “we
have violins by the score. Once we get started playing, no one
wants to stop very soon.” Their children happily share their
family memories. >>