Photo by Michelle Butzgy/Paraglide Aiyanna and A.J. Ordillas, son and daughter of Staff Sgt. Alex and Cielo Ordillas, play “Amazing Grace” together at the 2010 SKIESUnlimited Guitar Recital at Tolson Youth Activities Center Saturday. Ordillas is deployed with the 4th Battalion, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Chords, notes and singing rang through the conference room at Tolson Youth Activities Center during the 2010 SKIESUnlimited Guitar Recital at 1 p.m. Saturday. Fourteen students taught by instructor Chris Cobb played before an audience of around 20 parents and friends, the first time a guitar recital had ever been held at Fort Bragg.

“I’ve been here since 2004 and we’ve never had a guitar program,” said Paul Driessen, instructional program specialist at Tolson Youth Activities Center. “I am extremely satisfied and very pleased with the results of the recital.”

As each student performed their piece, parents, siblings and friends leaned forward to listen, take photos or videos.

Cobb felt the program went well due to the culmination of hard work by both parents and students.

“Even though they practiced hard, they were still nervous. I’m very pleased and proud of every single one of them,” she said.

Miranda Swinson, 10, daughter of Maj. Michael and Victoria Swinson, said she felt the jitters before she played the song “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”

“I still felt pretty nervous after I played — but not as nervous,” she added.

Her mother agreed about the nervousness but added, “I think she really did a great job.”

Cianna Outlaw, 7, daughter of Capt. Kenneth and Barbara Outlaw, was the youngest of the performers, singing and playing “Down In The Valley.”

“She’s done great,” said her mother, Barbara. “She started out honestly not knowing a thing and Ms. Chris has brought her up. She’s come a long way — I’m impressed with her.” Cianna also enjoys entertaining her Family with her newfound talent. Outlaw is with the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion.

A.J. and Aiyanna Ordillas, son and daughter of Staff Sgt. Alex and Cielo Ordillas, played a duet of “Amazing Grace,” with Aiayanna picking out the melody and A.J. accompanying her. Their mother recorded the performance.

“Their dad called and wanted us to put it on Facebook so he can see it,” she said. Ordillas is deployed with the 4th Battalion, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Cobb has been instructing students at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville Technical Community College and privately since 1981. She teaches guitar every Wednesday at the center.

To sign up for classes, call 396-5437 or visit http://www.fortbraggmwr.com/CYS/skies.php.

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