At the time in her life when she is developing a sense of her own identity in the world, the young violinist has the gift of seeing herself as a “musician,” as a member of a larger community of accomplished people. She isn’t a “nerd,” a “prep,” a “jock”: she is a musician. In a time when Madonna tops the list of people most admired by teenagers, to have a student wish to emulate Itzak Perlman is much to be desired.