Children's Talent Is Music To Parents' Ears

It's not unusual for the Cezair household to come alive with the sound of music.

Like the famous Von Trapp family depicted in "The Sound of Music," Doughtrill Cezair, his wife, Lanette, and their children - Roberto, 14, Khiara, 13, Katreina, 12, Riccardo, 10, and Rafael, 9 - are musically inclined.

Doughtrill Cezair used to write and perform his own songs, and Lanette plays guitar. The group performed together for a while under the name Zawadi a few years ago, which is Swahili for "gift."

"We don't take any credit for what our kids can do," Doughtrill Cezair said. "The kids are far more gifted and talented than we are."

Today, each of the Cezair children is enrolled in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Patel Conservatory, which opened in 2004 and offers 90 courses in music, acting and dance.

"I think a lot of people don't realize that we even exist," said Leslie Farrell, consultant for the Patel Conservatory, "and those that do don't realize that they offer classes for everyone, not just kids. Thirty percent of our classes are for adults."

Classes for the conservatory's spring session will begin Monday.

Many of the Patel Conservatory's students also get roles in the arts center's shows. Riccardo Cezair appeared in the center's recent production of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

"I really liked being on stage, and the show was a lot of fun," he said.

The family moved to Riverview from Brooklyn in 1998. In summer 2001, the parents took their children to the performing arts center and learned about the Community Arts Ensemble program.

"This was pre-Patel Conservatory, and it was really about giving people a chance that had never been on stage to get up there and experience what that's like," Doughtrill Cezair said.

Before long, all of the Cezair children joined the Patel Conservatory. They play the flute, piano, violin, xylophone and congas.

They also dance ballet and hip-hop, and have been featured in productions of "High School Musical" and "A Christmas Carol."

"I can't really pick a favorite. I enjoy doing all of it," Khiara Cezair said.

Although they may not perform together anymore, their parents hope the children continue to express themselves in creative ways.

"It's not necessarily about them becoming artists. It's about them knowing that opportunity is out there for them," Doughtrill Cezair said.

For information on the Patel Conservatory, call (813) 222-1002.