The Blossom Hill Elementary School third-grader has a unique connection with the 87-year-old DuSel, who has lived at The Terraces of Los Gatos retirement community near the school for about 10 years. He volunteers his time at least once a week—usually on Mondays—by playing the piano for students. The children sing along or play their recorders to patriotic and old-time favorite tunes such as Ode to Joy and The Star-Spangled Banner.

Rachel got to know DuSel when he played the piano for a school play a few years ago, and she gave him the cue to start tickling the ivories.

"We're really good friends," Rachel says. "He's going through a lot right now, so he's a little confused. Playing the piano clears his mind. He can play so well, and he almost never messes up."

DuSel, who has been playing piano since age 8, is originally from Saratoga. He has a natural musical talent that astounds his listeners.

"They love to sing, and they are so adorable," DuSel says, tuning up to prepare for a weekly singalong at Blossom Hill on June 7.

He has a fondness for children and is proud of his four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. DuSel says he's also happy to help at a time when funding is lacking for programs like music education.

DuSel is a retired English professor who taught for many years at San José State University. But his first job was teaching at Los Gatos High School in 1946. DuSel has been retired since about 1980.

His relationship with Blossom Hill students started through third-grade teacher Karen Kath. Shortly after The Terraces opened, DuSel and other senior citizens would go over to help at the school. DuSel was one of the first to sign up for the community volunteer program.

Kath knew of DuSel's name and reputation because she had attended San José State years earlier when she was finishing her degree and earning her teaching credential. He was university vice president at the time. Kath jumped at the chance to have DuSel volunteer with her students.

Kath says DuSel originally started out by helping in the school's garden, helping students plant bulbs such as daylilies and narcissus, which are in full bloom today. Over the years, DuSel has taught the students about many things, such as pioneers, marine mammals and shells, to name a few. He has also brought over his butterfly and insect collections, says third-grader Wes Geiken.

"He always has something to share," Kath says.

DuSel has taught fifth-graders to play flutophones while explaining all the different instruments to the students, natural for him given his background as an accomplished musician. When he plays the piano, DuSel has all the songs memorized, even though students enjoy helping him turn music pages containing words to the songs.

"He's just a wonderful pianist, and he loves being with the kids," says Los Gatos parent Jayne Tan, whose daughter is in Kath's class. "It helps his spirits as well as theirs."

On one of his trips across the street from The Terraces to Blossom Hill, DuSel was carrying acorns he had drilled so the students could make necklaces for a unit they were studying about Native Americans. He caught his foot and slipped, Kath says, breaking his hip. He had to undergo hip-replacement surgery and recuperation and has since been confined to an electric wheelchair.

Progressive life challenges, including a serious automobile accident in December and the death of his longtime wife, Pauline, have limited DuSel's visits at the school to once a week. Someone from Blossom Hill now picks DuSel up weekly, escorting him to and from the school. Despite such obstacles, Kath and DuSel's family are glad he has continued his relationship with the school.

"There's a spark to him," Kath says. "He's so excited about the children. And they just love to do things for him."

From turning the pages of DuSel's music book to making him cards for holidays, the children at Blossom Hill have fallen in love with their special community volunteer.