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Grandview students get rare opportunity to meet Irish musical group Celtic Woman

What really struck a chord was discovering that Celtic Woman was once just like them.

Most elementary school music programs begin and end with the recorder.

But not here.

For students at Grandview Elementary, playing the violin is a requirement, and every year, some of them are selected to be part of the group named Zebra Strings.

They've performed at school functions, competed against other groups and have even traveled the country.

Sometimes, to inspire her students to dream even bigger, music director Vicki Nichols shows videos of the world-renowned group Celtic Woman.

"Hey, this could be you one day," Nichols said. "You need to dream. This could be us one day."

"I was amazed at how good they were," said a student.

"They were incredible," said another student. "They were exceptionally great."

That's why, a couple of weeks ago, principal Kathrine Stewart learned that Celtic Woman would be performing nearby in Grand Prairie. So, on a whim, she sent the group an email.

"We thought it would be really nice if they could just go over and meet them for 20 or 30 minutes or have them come here," Stewart said. "[It was] a long shot. No way. No way."

Until she got a reply that invited the Zebra Strings to meet the group.

The students got to meet the group, sit in on sound check and even played a few songs themselves. "I think all of these people are gonna be rock stars," said Eabha McMahone, singer for Celtic Woman. "They already are. Look at them!"

What really struck a chord was discovering that Celtic Woman was once just like them. "I had teachers in school that are the reason I'm here today," said McMahon.

"If you believe in what you're doing enough, anything is possible," said Mairead Carlin, singer for Celtic woman.

Whether these students want to be musicians, magicians, teachers or preachers, they know they can because they've seen the proof standing before them.

"It shows them that they've come a long way and they've worked hard and that inspires me to do the same," one student said.

Sounds like they're learning more than just music.

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