Wasabi Publicity, Inc.
Michelle Tennant
828-749-3200
michelle@publicityresults.com
www.Presskit247.com
The Ocarina: Ancient instrument offers music for everyone
Music educator and performer Lena Leclaire shares
modern joys and benefits of a captivating ancient instrument
The ocarina (say O-ca-reena) is so easy to play many people can pick out simple
tunes soon after first picking one up. These beautiful and intriguing little wind
instruments date back thousands of years and have been unearthed in ancient
cultures around the world. Sharing the educational and health benefits and fun of
the versatile ocarina is 23-year-old Lena Leclaire, a music educator and performer
for STL Ocarina. An outgrowth of the St. Louis School of Music, the company
produces ocarinas for all ages and skill levels and helps meet a growing
worldwide demand fueled in part the popular video game "The Legend of Zelda:
Ocarina of Time."
Suggested Intro: People all over the world are rediscovering the ocarina, a pocket-sized pottery wind instrument with
ancient roots. With us today is music educator and accomplished ocarina performer Lena Leclaire of STL Ocarina. The
St. Louis company is dedicated to reviving the art of ocarina playing. Learn more at www.STLocarina.com. Welcome,
Lena. Tell us about the ocarina and why it is a good first instrument for people of all ages.
Suggested TOPICS for DISCUSSION:
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Music to Boost Your Brain – Lena demonstrates how kids and adults can stimulate creativity through
improvisational games and easy-to-learn tunes.
Gamers' Choice – Lena shows off some of STL Ocarina's specialized Zelda ocarinas including the new Zelda
Potion ocarina.
Soothing Stress – Lena shares benefits of playing the ocarina for breathing, relaxation and meditation.
Learn to Play/Play to Learn – Lena demonstrates how kids can learn about subjects as diverse as history,
geography and science using the ocarina.
Online Press Kit (media): www.enaleclaire.presskit247.com – images, more story ideas, etc.
Public websites: www.stlocarina.com, www.stlschoolofmusic.com.
Suggested QUESTIONS for Lena Leclaire:
1. What is the ocarina and how long has it been around?
2. How has the video game “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" video game created new interest in the
instrument?
3. STL Ocarina makes a huge variety of ocarinas. What are some of the different kinds?
4. How much do ocarinas cost?
5. What makes it a good first instrument for someone to learn?
6. What are some of the lifelong benefits young people can get from learning to play music?
7. How can learning to play the ocarina help people learn to control their breathing and relax?
8. You taught music in public schools in Manhattan for a year. How did playing the ocarina benefit the students?
9. How can playing music help students improve their grades?
10. What are some of the tunes people can learn easily?
11. What are some of the different styles of music people are playing on the ocarina?
12. Can you demonstrate a more challenging piece of music on the ocarina?
13. How can instruments such as the ocarina be used in various school lessons such as science, social studies
and geography?
14. What are the benefits of the ocarina for families who homeschool their kids?
15. How can people learn to play the ocarina without taking formal lessons?
To book Lena Leclaire, or another Wasabi expert, call Michelle Tennant 828-749-3200, michelle@publicityresults.com