The Best Teacher
By Greta Elbogen
Suffering, loneliness
Are the best guides,
To seek out beauty and joy
Wherever you can find
One kind word
Creates a symphony-like sound
Can bring tears of gratitude abound.
One is speechless, overcome by joy
That is what one kind word can do.
Some of us who have been deprived
Of gentleness in our early lives
Are aware of the power
That compassion can bring forth
And practice it often times
Music composed and performed by Nico Sleater
About Nico Sleater
I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My heritage is Polish and English. I am studying at the New School for a BA in Jazz Piano Performance.
I think context is extremely important for music and can drastically change how powerful something is. I want to work with Greta because making art for the sake of spreading a message is an extremely powerful way to make art, and I hope to move people and help them understand Greta’s message.
I chose the poem The Best Teacher because of its powerful message. Suffering and loneliness can be looked at with regret, but also can be looked at with optimism, since they often teach you how to appreciate life and what to be grateful for.
How Greta and Nico Met
Greta and Nico met at a subway station. They started talking and Nico gave Greta his information. Later when she contacted him about being a part of this project, he was happy to be involved.
Greta with Nico and his band, who are students of the New School and performed in the recording.