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The von Trapps of Harlem
The von Trapps of Harlem
L to R: Chloe, Anna, Naomi, Josiah, Noah, Pearl, Melody (background), and Elijah de la Motte in their living room in Harlem. (Alex S. K. Brown for The Free Press)
Can ten earnest kids playing Bach become the next Kardashians?
By Suzy Weiss
04.06.23 — Culture and Ideas
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The Free Press
The von Trapps of Harlem

When I enter the de la Mottes’ home—a three-floor, red brick townhouse in Harlem, around the corner from the Apollo Theater and down the block from a Verizon store—the somber thrum of a double bass echoes upstairs. 

I’m greeted by Amber, 43, who looks plucked straight out of an old-timey hearth catalog in a pleated emerald skirt and white blouse, her lon…

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Suzy Weiss
Suzy Weiss is a reporter and producer for The Free Press. Before that, she worked as a features reporter at the New York Post. There, she covered the internet, culture, dating, dieting, technology, and Gen Z. Her work has also appeared in Tablet, the New York Daily News, The Wall Street Journal, and McSweeney's Internet Tendency, among others.
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