There some people that have been such a significant part in our lives that summarizing all they mean to us is nearly impossible. One of those people for me was my music teacher, Donna. She died this morning, June 29, 2018.

Donna taught me accordion and piano lessons weekly from right when I turned four years old all the way through when I moved to Arizona for college 14.5 YEARS later. Donna was the kind of teacher who pushed you to do your best. Not giving it your all was unacceptable.

Donna often turned my 30-minute lesson time to a 4+ hour slot as competition neared in order to make sure I was ready to go. She made sure to be in the room for all of my big competitions growing up; heck, she even went all the way to Canada to see me compete in the world competition one time. And the most amazing thing is, she had this level of care and commitment to all of her students. Through us, her legacy and spirit will live on.

Donna, I hope you’re having a great time up in heaven. Thank you for mentoring me throughout my life – from playing music with heart to making coffee last as long as possible, I have learned so much from you. I love you and look forward to seeing you again someday.

To other students and friends of Donna Michael: if you need someone to talk to, I am only a message away.

Rachel Quirbach Bio: Rachel Quirbach was a student of Donna’s for nearly 15 years. Rachel is currently pursuing a career in music therapy, conducting her internship at Florida State Hospital and in the process of completing her undergraduate degree in Music Therapy through Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

Rachel actively promotes awareness of the accordion within the music therapy and collegiate musician communities by incorporating the instrument into her practice and advocating for it via her social media. Rachel has advocated for accordion and music therapy at the local, regional, and national level, most notably through her program Building Hope Through Music, which brings music therapy informed interventions into the corrections system. Rachel looks forward to bringing more live music experiences into the correctional sphere in the years to come.

The wake for Donna is at the McKenna-Oulette Funeral Home-
327 Hildreth St.
Lowell, Ma.  01850
Visiting hours from 4:00-7:00
Service mass from 7:00-8:00 this Thursday the 5th.
Burial is Notre Cemetery in Fall River on Friday at 11:00.

For further information: rachelquirbachy@gmail.com