A CELLO FOR A GIRL WITH A DREAM.

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Author: Fields-Meyer, ThomasAtlas, DarlaGreen, AmyNelson, MargaretWeinstein, Fannie

Clare Bradford was 4 when she first heard a recording of Yo-Yo Ma and decided she, too, wanted to be a cellist. "She's always had strong ideas," says her father, Mark, 48. "She wouldn't give us any peace until we found her a teacher and got her an instrument."

Clare's talent grew quickly--and so did Clare. At 7, she took part in a master class with famed Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and played alongside the pros of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in a special concert for young audiences. And, by mid-2003, Clare had clearly outgrown her quarter-size cello. To continue to progress at her advanced level, she needed a first-rate instrument to replace it--difficult for the Bradfords, who support five other kids on Mark's salary as development director of a nonprofit group.

Then her parents learned of the perfect cello for the pint-size prodigy: Built around 1820 in England, it was going for $6,000 at a Boston shop. The Bradfords were struggling to work out a way to buy it when they got a lucky break: A salesman at the shop, Peter Jarvis, knew a wealthy arts patron who had purchased instruments--always anonymously--for college students. The Bradfords sent Jarvis a videotape of Clare's performances, which he sent on to the donor. Shortly after, the cello was bought and paid for. "We were more overjoyed than you can imagine," Mark says. Practicing daily and progressing, at 9 Clare again outgrew her cello, and again, the donor stepped in, buying a $7,500, three-quarter-size cello made in Germany in the early 1900s. "This person must be very generous," says Clare, now 10, who updates her benefactor via letters to Jarvis. "I am very thankful."

PHOTO (COLOR): Clare Bradford and her instrument (at home in Philadelphia).

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By Thomas Fields-Meyer; Darla Atlas; Amy Green; Margaret Nelson and Fannie Weinstein