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Unlikely duo at Meer Apartments
blend their talents and grow.

Pete Wurdock
Special to the Jewish News

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T

he walls inside of the
Meer Apartments in West
Bloomfield are alive and
full of a special blend of music. It's
not from the jukebox jazz outside
the cafe, nor is it the lovely voices in
the Meer choir; but today, a some-
what unlikely duo is practicing their
craft and making beautiful music
together.
Meer resident Ed Pintzuk, 96, has
always loved music. He played piano
as a child but, in his own words, he
"just wasn't any good!' The years
went by and his love for music never
Meer resident Ed Pintzuk, 96, and social
faded. About 50 years ago, he took
worker Debbie Cohl have fun making music.
up the clarinet because he thought
it looked easy to play.
Right away, everyone knew that
"I thought you could just pick it
up and blow, but I was wrong:' he said. Debbie and Ed would fit the bill. In
preparation for the party, they began
"However, it was a lot more portable
to practice together and quickly
than a piano!'
bonded while building their repertoire
In the right hands, a clarinet can
with flute and clarinet duos. Though
either make beautiful music or
Debbie's experience as a professional
resemble the sound of a wild animal
gave her the edge in performing, she
screeching. Ed boasts that with his
admits the experience with Ed is just
clarinet he can do both. To improve
as fulfilling now
his playing, he recently began tak-
Anyone who meets Ed knows that
ing lessons. Not long ago, his clarinet
his sense of humor is part of the key
teacher formed a small group made
to his longevity.
up of her students and friends and
"She makes me work my tail off'
invited Ed to join. The group, includ-
Ed said of Debbie. "I think it's the big-
ing three Jews, had a performance at
gest break I've ever had in my musical
the Meer Apartments and it planted
career — if you can call it the
a seed in social worker Debbie Cohl's
Ed and Debbie continue to learn
head.
from each other and that alone is rea-
In her own words, Debbie was
son enough for them to keep playing.
"a musician in another life!" She's a
"To be serious for a minute, for
native Detroiter who, as a professional
Debbie to be willing to play with
musician, used to teach music while
someone like me is amazing:' he said.
living in California. As a flutist, she
"It makes me work harder and I hope
performed and recorded as a member
this lasts forever!"
of the "Hour of Power Orchestra" as
For now, they've got their sights set
part of the Robert Schuller ministries
on
playing the Krolik cafe at Meer and
television show.
might just put a hat on the floor for
When she returned to Michigan,
spare change.
she performed as a substitute flutist
"About 50 years ago, after I took les-
with the renowned Detroit Symphony
Orchestra for three years. At one point, sons, I wasn't any good',' Ed said. "I'm
still taking lessons and I'm still not any
she held the prestigious role as prin-
good, but at least I'm consistent!'
cipal flutiest with one of their touring
ensembles.
In the planning session for the Meer Pete Wurdock is director of
communications for West Bloomfield-
Volunteer Recognition Party earlier
based Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan
in the summer, it was suggested that
Detroit.
the day include some entertainment.

FLEY._
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September 2 • 2010

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