Violinist and UUCS member Bonnie-Lee Mizzell will join local cellist Ted Lucktenberg in accompanying Pilley Bianchi when she plays at the UUCS this Sunday, July 18. Bonnie-Lee is the granddaughter of Clarence Guthrie, who, although he never formally joined, was among the founding members of our church in the mid 1950s. Her parents, Mary Ann and Herman Mizzell, were very active in the church until her mother’s death in 1985. Herman returned, with Bonnie-Lee, in recent years prior to his death in 2007.
Bonnie-Lee, who recently re-joined UUCS, took violin lessons as a child with several local music teachers, the late Jerrie Lucktenberg among them. Jerrie was Ted Lucktenberg’s mother, who first came to UUCS with her mother, Sara Cadek, in 1960.
“Music has always been close to my heart,” said Bonnie-Lee, a pre-school teacher at Cannon’s Elementary. “Ted and I were buddies in high school and I haven’t seen him in 30 years so this event will also be a fun reunion.”
“Bonnie uses great interpretation in her playing and has this glowing personality--what a gift,” said UUCS Music Director Keith Plumley, who has compelled her to play for Sunday services in recent months, using what she refers to as his “musical gravitational force.”
She sometimes also provides music for local weddings.
On a personal note, I didn’t think I liked violin music until I heard Bonnie-Lee play. One Sunday we were sitting in the sanctuary when from somewhere behind us blossomed this beautiful music, which swelled and filled the room with luxurious sound. Then I saw Bonnie-Lee slowly walking up the center aisle playing the violin. I have no idea what piece she played. All I know is that it was beautiful and lush and I will never be the same.
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