December 29, 2024

Van Hoosen giving joy through mini concerts on Facebook

By Jocelyn Sheets

Teddy Van Hoosen, Newton, is uplifting people during the COVID-19 health crisis by posting videos of herself playing the piano on Facebook. She plays by ear and has a varsity of music selections as her daughter, Jodi, is her "video person. (Courtesy Photo)

At 79 years old, lifelong Newton resident Teddy Van Hoosen asked herself “What can I do for people in the world with the mess we’re in right now?” Her answer: post videos of herself playing the piano on her Facebook page and the response has been fantastic.

With her daughter, Jodi, as the camera person, Van Hoosen has posted “about 40 or so” videos for people to enjoy. The videos are public so people don’t have to be friends with her on Facebook to enjoy her talent. She said she started with one or two videos before people began encouraging her to do more.

“I pray and I play,” Van Hoosen said. “I’m not a rich person, so I decided to do what I do.”

And play she does, all by ear.

“When I was young, my mom and dad tried to give me lessons. I’d start to play from music then all these extra notes would come out of me,” Van Hoosen said. “My parents said ‘you never go back and look at the music so where do all those notes come from?’ I couldn’t tell them because I didn’t know.”

Van Hoosen said she went through three teachers but never learned to read music. Playing was very scary for her so she was in her late 50s before she played in front of anybody.

“Now, I’m almost 80 and I don’t care because I love to play,” Van Hoosen said. “I play and entertain around town, including playing at nursing homes. I also play at my church — the First Baptist Church. I don’t play every single Sunday as Jodi King also plays.”

The 1959 Newton High graduate plays a variety of music. She includes religious songs such as “In the Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and “I’ll Fly Away.”

She’ll mix in some old standards of “Five Foot Two,” “Beer Barrel Polka,” “You Are My Sunshine,” “Zippity Doo Dah” and “Tennessee Waltz.”

Van Hoosen plays patriotic tunes as well, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “God Bless America.” Sometimes she tells her daughter she’s goes to play one tune and another tune comes out.

“We start laughing. We both have a great sense of humor and we get tickled,” Van Hoosen said. “I think if you can lighten the load for people, you should. I just enjoy playing.”

Van Hoosen said everyone has been encouraging and written very nice comments on her Facebook as she posts her mini concerts.

“I’m just doing what I can to help us through this tough time,” Van Hoosen said. “I pray and I play.”

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at 641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com