786 Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 15:22:17 -0400 From: Suzanne Rizer To: Sultana Nahar Subject: Re: Letter for Alburuj's college application October 31, 2010 Suzanne Rizer State Farm 2930 Hayden Run Plaza Columbus, OH 43235 for Alburuj R. Rahman Dear Admission Committee, It is my great pleasure to write about the musical talent of Alburuj R. Rahman. I have known Alburuj all his life. He was brought as a infant to the weekly dances of the Columbus Folk Dance group to which I belong. He has been exposed to the intricate and unusual rhythms of the Eastern Balkans, Turkey, Israel and the British Isles. In 2005, my Balkan dance band, Mixed Bag, included Alburuj as an additional violinist in several performances per year. Each year since then he has played violin with us at special events such as the Columbus Folk Dancer's annual workshop, other dance parties and the Recreational Folk Dancer's Mid Winter and Mid Summer events. In 2009, I formed a children's group similiar to the adult version of Mixed Bag. Alburuj played violin as the main rhythm instrument in this junior Balkan dance band. He is a steady and solid viloinist. He can hold his own against the harmony players and singers. He is quiet, sincere and very well-mannered. He takes direction well and is always well prepared and on time. He picks up the tunes quickly and adapts to changes in the tunes and arrangements easily. The children's group, Mixed Baguetttes, has performed without any adult musicians about 6 times for the local folk dancers. Alburuj helped hold the other instruments and singers together. I think he will bring an unusual talent and ability to his playing and to any group he joins because of his exposure to the unique rhythms and unusal key signatures he has learned playing East European music. Alburuj is devoted to his music. I wish him all the best for his enhanced music performances at the college level. I sincerely urge that you consider him for college admission and scholarships. Please feel free to contact me through my email address or by phone. srizer@columbus.rr.com 1-614-582-6612. Suzanne Rizer