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Going the Distance: A Musician’s Tale

Mongolian cellist Nomin Zolzaya concentrates while practicing her beloved cello.  The 16-year-old moved to the United States as an exchange student in order to further her music education.  "We were hoping that in a year, she will apply to the fine music conservatories here in the U.S.," Dana Meyers, her American host mother, said.
Mongolian cellist Nomin Zolzaya concentrates while practicing her beloved cello. The 16-year-old moved to the United States as an exchange student in order to further her music education. "We were hoping that in a year, she will apply to the fine music conservatories here in the U.S.," Dana Meyers, her American host mother, said.

All over, people are taking action to help others in need. Very rarely however, is a family so willing to change its own lifestyle to help educate a young boy or girl.

Nomin Zolzaya is a 16-year-old Mongolian exchange student. The Myers family has taken her into their home to help her study cello in the Unites States.

Zolzaya grew up in Mongolia, where she learned how to play cello from her mother.

“The most important thing was when my mother introduced me to the world of classical music and how to play this beautiful music,” Zolzaya said.

A lot of Zolzaya’s ability is pure talent. Dana Myers, her “American mom” was in amazed at her playing ability, especially in relation to the meager resources in Mongolia.

“There are only two cello teachers in Mongolia,” Myers said. “At a certain point, she surpassed what her teacher had to offer and basically taught herself.”

Zolzaya is not part of a music program or project. Her experience started when she met Peter Myers, another young cellist, in Mongolia.

“One of the most important events of my life was when I met Peter Myers in Mongolia,” Zolzaya said. “He encouraged me to come to the U.S. I really wanted to change my whole life, change my future.”

Despite barely knowing Zolzaya, Myers was immediately impressed with her talent and decided to act on a hunch.

“Peter was taken with the talent and expressivity of the young Mongolian cellist in the group, Nomin,” Myers said. “On an impulse, he called us up and asked if she could come live with us.”

However, letting another teenager, especially one from another country, into the house is a huge responsibility, but Myers was ready to take it on.

“We see the world through new eyes on a daily basis, having Nomin with us,” Myers said. “We are learning about each other and the vast differences in culture.”

At 16, Zolzaya practices quite a lot. She is talented enough to be in the St. Louis Youth Symphony, and she practices several times a day.

“My American mom wakes me up. I have a little breakfast, and then start practicing the cello or doing my English homework,” Zolzaya said. After English class which she takes every afternoon, Zolzaya returns home. “Some more practicing and then it’s dinner time.”

Now in America, Nomin is given many opportunities daily. She has the chance to study with cellist Ken Kulosa.

“He knows how to help so that you can accomplish both the physical and musical,” Zolzaya said. “That is my teacher Ken Kulosa.”

Coming to America, having to learn a new language, making new friends and leaving one’s family is not easy; however, Zolzaya talks about her birth home and her current home with equal love and joy.

“It is a very different world from Mongolia,” Zolzaya said. “In Mongolia there is much more space and less people. Winters are bitter cold in Mongolia with temperatures falling way below zero degrees.”

With Kulosa’s and the Myers’ families help, Zolzaya has been able to grow tremendously as a musician.

“Nomin has huge potential,” Myers said. “She has a flowing communicative quality to her music making. We are hoping that in a year, she will apply to the fine music conservatories here in the U.S.”

Through her determination, hard work and help from many, Zolzaya has been successful in securing a viable music career for herself.

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Going the Distance: A Musician’s Tale