Penelope LaFleur, 4, says playing the violin is "easy." Having played it since age 2, she's practically a pro--and she amazed her classmates in District 65's preschool with two performances at the Joseph E. Hill Education Center this week.

LaFleur takes one half-hour private lesson each week and practices 25 to 45 minutes per day, according to District 65 Communications Director Pat Markham. She will also play in a trio this summer with her mom and 7-year-old sister, an accomplished cellist.