Mr. Vivo was a teacher, mentor and friend.  I started taking drum/mallet percussion lessions from him when I was in 5th grade.  He not only made me into the best musician I could become but taught be a great deal of history and life lessons along the way.  He truly had a passion for teaching and life in general.  Moreover, he had an amazing knowledge of music theory and was an outanding music talent.  I spend countless Tuesday nights at his drum shop with my brother who also took lessions.  With his help, I was able to bring home many trophies/ribbons from solo and ensemble competition and served a section leader for Boardman High School band my junior and senior of high school.  We kept in touch for a while after I finished high school but I was sad that I wasn't able to keep in touch more when I moved out of town for graduate school.  I think of him often and am grateful for the life lessons he emparted on me.  He truly was an amazing influence on me.  Now I have a family of my own and my 2yo daughter has her own drum set and xylophone (we are starting her out early).  I know Jim is looking down on us and smiling.  

Sincerely,

Denise (White) Warrick