It was a reunion and birthday celebration wrapped up into one May 7 as longtime Suzuki Method violin instructor Jim Butler was celebrated during a special recital at Church of the Resurrection in Battle Creek. Joining Butler were more than 30 current and past students who played nearly two dozen pieces from the Suzuki music books. Butler, who turned 85 on May 5, and has been playing the violin for approximately 80 years, has been a Suzuki instructor in the area for close to 45 years and by his estimate, has taught close to a thousand students.
