Playing from the heart

Girls' Life, Feb, 2001

Ruby Fradkin spends most of her days with people eight or nine times her age. What does a gin whose life revolves around sleepovers, mall hangouls and BSB have in common with a 90-year-old? They both appreciate a rackin' tune. Ten-year old Ruby donates her time and talent to nursing home patients.

When Ruby ripped out a few old piano tunes at her grandfather's nursing name in Massachusetts, the crowd was singing along and having a grand time. "I saw how happy it made the people in the nursing home," says Ruby. "When we got back to California, we started calling around to nursing homes to see if could play." The homes loved the idea, and Ruby plays several gigs a week With a stnae piano style, a method that uses the left hand, Ruby gets the nursing home jamming win Ragtime tunes from Fats Waller, Jellyroll and Redbelly. "It really makes them feel good and helps them remember when they were young," she says. "Picture someone playing 'it's Gonna Be Me' 40 years from now. you'd be grooving, too." Ruby was selected for a Fox Kids Hero Award tar her community service, and she even has a thumbs-up tram California GOv. Gray Davis. Not bad for someone who's not a day over a decade.