January 30, 2025 — Bronze Burton-Duru, a fifth-grade student from Winterset Elementary School, is making an impact as a young musician. Burton-Duru, who got his start in-class instruction last year, recently performed at St. Joseph Cathedral with Urban Strings in Downtown Columbus. Burton-Duru is showcasing his remarkable talent and dedication to music at such a young age.

"The first time [Burton-Duru] played cello was in school," said Instrumental Music Teacher at Winterset Elementary Travis Damicone. "Many students have this opportunity because it's offered during the school day. We're really fortunate that Columbus City Schools offers [instrumental instruction] in fourth grade and fifth grade; having the kids exposed to music at a young age and having a chance to learn music is really important."

Burton-Duru displayed exceptional talent as a beginner and was encouraged to pursue music experiences in addition to playing in school. Burton-Duru attributes his progress to consistent effort and passion for the instrument.

"[When I started] I just wanted to play the cello because it sounded very nice and looked cool," said Burton-Duru. "[Since I started playing] I keep practicing every day. Some music was hard, but I pushed through and kept practicing, and eventually, I was able to play the music." 

Through Urban Strings, Burton-Duru was able to flex his creative muscles and improve his skills with new friends, including older students who offered valuable mentorship and support. The relationships Burton-Duru formed became an important source of encouragement, helping him navigate more challenging pieces and develop confidence in his abilities.

After auditioning in the summer of 2024, he joined Urban Strings, where he rehearses weekly and performs in a variety of concerts all year long. As one of the group's youngest members, he has embraced the challenge of playing more advanced music alongside older peers and is excited to see where the cello may take him next.

"Urban Strings is a great community," Burton-Duru said. "It started off really hard. I was asking myself, 'Do I need to be here?' I don't think I'm supposed to be here', but I just took that out of my mind, kept practicing, and eventually, I got all the songs right."

Damicone and the staff at Winterset recognize Burton-Duru as a standout musician and a source of pride for the school. His story reflects the power of dreaming big and achieving more, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.