FALL 2015

Quarterly news from Education Through Music

Expanding Support for Teachers New Tuition Reimbursement Initiative Enhances Existing Professional Development

Education Through Music is educators, including general music development and ongoing mentoring developing the talent of its teachers specialists and ensemble directors, services to reinforce its commitment through programs and resources that in preparation for the new school to providing the highest quality music deepen their knowledge and enhance year. Program highlights include instruction. Throughout the school their skills. ETM offers programs that workshops led by Liz Rose, Grammy year, ETM offers evening, full-day and support teachers’ professional de- Award-winning hit songwriter, and afternoon workshops that explore velopment ensuring their long-term Peter Boonshaft, professor of music success. at Hofstra University. “Attracting and retaining Every year, prior to the start of Music Teacher Academy school, ETM holds a professional the very best teachers Education Through Music hosted a development workshop as part of its is core to our mission two-week, intensive training program year-long Music Teacher Academy. of providing high-quality in August at the Children’s Lab School ETM’s Music Teacher Academy incor- (P.S. 343) in Queens for K-8 music porates targeted training, professional music education at our partner schools.”

best teaching practices and innovative teaching strategies ensuring music is an indispensable part of its partner schools’ culture and identity. “At the heart of ETM’s partner school program are our music teach- ers. We are proud to offer valuable professional development training and mentoring services that ensure our teachers have the tools and resources to be successful educators,” says Kath- Students performed “Heart of the City” with Peter Cincotti. erine Damkohler, Executive Director of Education Through Music. “Our Music Teachers Erin Giacinto (left) and Gina Pemberton collaborate during the keyboard unit at the August Music Teacher Academy. Continued on page 2

Quality music education for all children 2 Education Through Music Newsletter

FOUNDERS Eldon C. Mayer, Jr. Edmund R. Schroeder Support for Teachers ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Continued from front page Katherine Damkohler Executive Director Teacher Academy brings together the this school year. Participating teach- Rainah Berlowitz Director of Operations talents and expertise of our school ers will receive up to $5,000 tuition Katherine Canning reimbursement annually to further Director of Development & Program Evaluation and music professionals to collabo- Tim Lemberger rate on new and innovative methods their professional credentials. Full- Director of Marketing & Communications Susan Brecker to engage students in the classroom. time ETM teachers are eligible to Events Coordinator It is their pedagogy and dedication participate in the tuition assistance Geraldine Inoa Rachel Starr that makes ETM’s model a reality.” program. Development Associates Participants at ETM’s Music ETM encourages its music teach- Alicia Jensen Marketing & Communications Associate Teacher Academy are given instruc- ers to pursue graduate-level study Lina Li tion on implementing ETM’s compre- in music education to enhance their Bookkeeper Kristen Pappas hensive and sequential curriculum knowledge and skills, as well as Evaluation Manager that aligns with national, state and increasing their successful long- Melissa Radin Development Assistant local standards, including the NYC term employment at an ETM partner Laura Satkowski Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in school. ETM’s tuition assistance pro- Evaluation Associate Anna Yatskevich the Arts. ETM teachers are held to the gram is equivalent to a full semester’s Marketing & Communications Coordinator highest education standards and are tuition for those teachers enrolled PROGRAM STAFF measured against the New York City in a New York State graduate school Peter Pauliks Department of Education’s Measures program. Director of Programs Meryl Cullom of Student Learning assessment as The new tuition reimbursement Nicholas LaFleur well as ETM’s own benchmarks. program will provide another oppor- Jeffrey Lipton Assistant Program Directors ETM’s Music Teacher Academy is tunity for ETM teachers to develop Kali Barnett offered to ETM teachers and is also and maintain the highest standards in Steve Cooney Peter DiCarlo attended by New York City Depart- teaching music education. “Attracting Daniel Makula ment of Education teachers. Teachers and retaining the very best teachers Deidre Racoma David Wilson who have attended ETM professional is core to our mission of providing Music Teacher Mentors/Field Supervisors development programs report a high-quality music education at our Katie Masson Program Associate stronger sense of community among partner schools,” explains Katherine their music-teacher peers and greater Damkohler. “With teacher shortages BOARD OF DIRECTORS job satisfaction. Many teachers found and declining enrollment in teaching Michael R. Schaefer Chairman that their discourse with colleagues preparation programs, investing in Emily H. Susskind Robert A. Weisstuch during ETM trainings was one of the our teachers’ future is more important Vice-Chairs most valuable elements to the pro- than ever. Incentives like tuition reim- Katherine D. Elliott Treasurer fessional development program. bursement and our professional de- Edmund R. Schroeder “I really appreciate the time ETM velopment program are just some of Chairman Emeritus Aly Alibhai devotes to my professional develop- the ways ETM attracts and retains the Joshua Bell ment,” comments Khristine Raymond, top notch teachers who are at the core Richard Bernstein Rick Dobbis music teacher at PS 91 in the Bronx. of Education Through Music’s partner Howard Epstein “I love that I am a part of a network of school program.” Aidan Fitzmaurice Jennifer M. Goff dedicated music teachers who come Anyone interested in joining Victor J. Goldberg together throughout the school year Education Through Music as a music Karen M. Karlsrud Matt F. Knouff to collaborate and share ideas about teacher may visit http://etmonline. Andrew J. Malik music strategies.” org/about/employment to apply for a Joseph F. McDonald Lori A. Murphy position and to learn more about the Amie Patel New Tuition Assistance Program tuition assistance program. F. Morgan Rodd David E. Stiepleman Education Through Music is Manoj Susarla excited to introduce a new educa- Steven Williams tion incentive program for its teachers ADVISORY COMMITTEE returning to New York City classrooms The 5 Browns Misha Dichter Dante DiLoreto Marilyn Horne Jane Remer Gloria Reuben Harold Tanner Education Through Music Newsletter 3 ETM Welcomes Partner School Sponsored In Memory of Vinod Vemuri Two New A group of young professionals school and in life. Dave and a group Board Members is sponsoring a new ETM partner, PS of Vemuri’s friends decided to hold a ETM welcomes Howard Epstein 277 in the Bronx, in memory of their fundraiser this spring to sponsor one and F. Morgan Rodd, Jr. to the Educa- friend Vinod Vemuri who passed away of ETM’s partner schools in Vemuri’s tion Through Music Board of Direc- at age 25 on December 30, 2014. honor. tors. The funding goes toward running the It was important to Dave that the Howard Epstein is a long-time school’s music program for the 2015- funds raised were used to establish a friend of ETM. He is the Founder and 2016 academic school year. relationship with a school that Ve- Chairman of the Board of Kari-Out Puja Dave, a close friend of Ve- muri’s friends can help grow into a Company. Epstein discovered his muri, contacted Education Through thriving music program. The group passion for the piano well after his Music about sponsoring an ETM part- will visit PS 277 later this fall to wit- school years. “My life has been filled ner school to pay tribute to Vemuri. ness the impact of their generosity with good fortune and opportunity. Vemuri’s closest friends wanted to on the lives of the students at the Now it is time to give back.” celebrate something Vemuri cher- school. F. Morgan Rodd, Jr. is a venture ished most—music. Dave’s plan is to continue to capitalist and partner at Milestone “Education Through Music re- advocate for ETM while fostering the Venture Partners, a New York-based flects Vinod’s life, demonstrating the growth of the music program at PS fund. Rodd has a strong committ- value music can have on a child and 277, commemorating the life of her ment to supporting education, and how music can influence and drive dear friend. She shared, “Vinod lives he’s seen first-hand the impact of them,” said Dave. on through the people he touched music education programs with his Music played an instrumental role during his incredibly short time; he own son. in Vemuri’s development as a young will forever be missed.” man. As a child, music helped Vemuri Dave’s dedication to promoting focus his attention and encouraged one of Vemuri’s most important inter- his academic growth. Throughout his ests is an inspiration and an indicator In Memorium: life, Vemuri was a talented musician of the life-changing power of music and in college, a passionate member education. Thomas Sobol of a dance troupe. To learn more about sponsoring ETM friend, supporter and Advi- Many of Vemuri’s friends were an ETM partner school, contact ETM’s sory Committee member Thomas public school teachers who saw Development Department at 212- Sobol died September 3, 2015 at first-hand how indispensable arts 972-4788 or development@ the age of 83. Mr. Sobol was Scar- education can be in giving students etmonline.org. dale superintendent of schools and the motivation to succeed both in later, New York State commissioner of education. With his wife Harriet Sobol, he co-authored two books, Your Child in School K-2 and Your Child in School 3-5, and he published many articles. He also wrote My Life in School: A Memoir, in 2013, which was given to ETM principals and staff. Mr. Sobol served as a valued member of ETM’s Advisory Committee, and we are grateful for his service.

Vinold Vemuri had a passion for music as a child, that continued as he grew older. His friends remember his passion by sponsoring ETM partner school PS 277 in the Bronx. 4 Education Through Music Newsletter Association Brings A-list Stars to ETM Students & Teachers

Keith Urban speaks with ETM students, teachers and staff. Urban ETM students and teachers were invited to a VIP section on the performed live on the Today Show, and invited ETM students and teach- Today Show Plaza to see perform. ers to the performance. Urban donated 20 guitars to the ETM program. The CMA Foundation provided Urban also donated 20 of his signa- met with ETM teachers and staff, and Education Through Music students, ture Urban Guitars for use with ETM’s signed a Bohemian guitar to auction. teachers and staff with a number partner school programs. KIP MOORE AND OTHERS of extraordinary opportunities to KELSEA BALLERINI A third experience provided an meet, interact with, and see country Teachers and staff were invited opportunity for ETM teachers to meet music stars perform over the past to see Kelsea Ballerini perform on and speak with musicians Kip Moore, few months. Musicians Keith Urban, September 9 at Bryant Park. Earlier Brett James and Jaren Johnston at Kelsea Ballerini and Kip Moore all in the day, Ballerini had been nomi- the Iridium in New York City on Sep- provided performances, interactive nated for two CMA Awards, and had tember 21, 2015. Moore, James and meetings and donations to support served as a host of the nomination Johnston also invited ETM teachers to Education Through Music. announcements, along with Steven their performance at the Iridium. KEITH URBAN Tyler. After her performance, Ballerini ETM students, teachers and staff arrived before the crack of dawn on Friday, August 7, 2015, to attend a taping of the Today Show, where CMA Foundation Ambassador Keith Urban performed live. A special VIP area at the front of the stage provided access to the ETM entourage, which could ETM students from MS 566 easily been seen on TV with bright show off their new Keith Ur- purple shirts featuring the ETM logo. ban guitars. Urban donated a total of 20 guitars to ETM partner schools. Education Through Music Newsletter 5

Country music sensation Kelsea Ballerini performed for ETM teachers and staff, on the same day she re- ceived two CMA Award nominations. She also signed a unique Bohemian guitar for a charity auction to ETM partner school teacher Ian Kanakaris; songwriter and CMA Board Member Brett benefit ETM. James; ETM Teachers Kyle Quirion and Julia Stacom; singer and songwriter Kip Moore; ETM teacher Jessica Hazelton; and Jaren Johnston, lead singer of .

Country Music Hall of Fame Provides Songwriting Program with Grammy Award-winning Songwriter Liz Rose

The Country Music Hall of Fame, Rose via Skype to compose the song Country Music Hall of Fame. based in Nashville, Tennessee, and write the lyrics, and then she visited ETM music programs expose provided a once-in-a-lifetime oppor- the school in-person to practice the students to a wide spectrum of tunity for ETM students at MS 566 song. music, including country music. “I in the Bronx to write and perform an The students performed the original like country music because of the original song, under the direction of song, “Everybody’s Perfect,” at the “All tone of it,” one student said. “It’s Grammy Award-winning songwriter for the Hall” gala in New York City on kind of like reggae, but it’s different Liz Rose. The students worked with October 6, 2015, which supports the because it’s more calming.”

Grammy Award-winning songwriter Liz Rose performs with students from ETM partner school MS 566 in the Bronx. 6 Education Through Music Newsletter Reaching More Students Join the Music Teacher Alumni Education Through Music continues to expand its footprint in New York City Association Education Through Music launch- es a new Music Teacher Alumni Asso- Over the years, ETM has worked BRONX tirelessly to offer music education P.S. 8 (K-5) ciation to connect current and former to inner-city students across the city. P.S. 42 (K-5) ETM teachers who have taught at Today, ETM’s program is enriching P.S. 43 (K-5) its partner schools over the last 25 the curriculum of schools in all five P.S. 48 (K-5) years. As ETM successfully implements boroughs of New York City. In the P.S. 64 (4-5) its program at its partner schools, 2015-2016 school year, ETM in- P.S. 68 (K-5) creased its roster by 12 to 48 partner ETM music teachers “graduate” to P.S. 72 (K-5) schools, serving nearly 27,000 stu- in-house teaching positions at those dents every week. P.S. 76 (K-5) schools. ETM is proud of the fact P.S. 87 (K-5) that each year the New York City Among the list of schools, several P.S./I.S. 89 (K-8) Department of Education hires have been partnering with ETM for P.S. 91 (K-5) roughly six ETM music teachers. nearly 20 years, including PS 68 in P.S. 96 (K-5) The Music Teacher Alumni Associa- the Bronx and St. Ann in Manhattan. P.S. 103 (K-5) tion keeps ETM teachers connected ETM is grateful to its longstanding P.S. 109 (K-5) through reunions, special events and partner schools and we welcome our P.S. 169 (K-5) professional programs designed to new schools as they embark on excit- P.S. 179 (K-5) foster continued partnership and ing new school year. P.S. 182 (K-5) collaboration. P.S. 195 (PreK-5) Music teachers Leah Potteiger, P.S. 277 (Prek-5) Jessica Parr, and Kevin Heathwood, 2015-16 Academic Year who have taught at ETM partner ETM Partner Schools P.S. 294 (K-5) schools for many years, will be lead- P.S. 357 (PreK-1) ing the formation of the new group. MANHATTAN P.S. 359 (K-3) To learn more about the benefits P.S./M.S. 7 (K-8) P.S. 369 (PreK-5) of the Music Teacher Alumni Associa- St. Ann (K-8) P.S. 392 (PreK-1) tion, contact [email protected] or P.S. 481 (PreK-K) call 212-972-4788. BROOKLYN P.S. 483 (PreK-K) P.S. 75 (PreK-5) P.S. 567 (PreK-3) P.S./M.S. 194 (K-8) QUEENS P.S./M.S. 498 (K-8) P.S. 110 (K-5) M.S. 180 (6-8) P.S. 154 (K-5) I.S. 181 (6) P.S. 175 (K-5) M.S. 355 (6-8) P.S. 213 (PreK-5) M.S. 529 (6-8) P.S. 244 (PreK-3) M.S. 566 (6-8) P.S. 343 (The Children’s Lab St. Anselm (K-8) School) (PreK-K) St. Angela Merici School St. Thomas The Apostle (K-8) (PreK-8) St. John’s School (PreK-8)

STATEN ISLAND P.S. 39 (Prek-5) Education Through Music Newsletter 7 Supporters ETM thanks the following donors for their generous contributions between We thank the following donors for their contributions in memory of Vinod June 20 and August 31, 2015. If you wish to join this list, please return the Vemuri, made between March 28 and August 31, 2015. These donations are enclosed envelope, call 212-972-4788 or visit www.ETMonline.org to donate. supporting the launch of a first-year partner school in 2015-16. ACE Charitable Foundation JustGive.org Avanti Adhia Augastin Kozhimala Osifo Akhuemonkhan JWHands Foundation Suruchi Ahuja Nikhil Krishnan AmazonSmile Foundation Wael Kanj Maher Ali Anirudh Kumar American Express Gift Matching Program Karen Karlsrud and Raymond Mikulich Vikas Anand Avantika Kumar Emma Anderson Nancy Kelly Anonymous (1) Ahyeong Lee Anonymous (15) Warren & Gerri Knouff Anonymous (5) Alex Lee The Bangs-Russell Foundation Kohlberg Kravis Roberts Antony Arackathara Greg Lichtenstein Meghri Baronian John Levis George Arackathara Kaavya Mahajan Tierney and Jon Berger Lowell and Elizabeth Lifschultz Rose Arackathara Dee Mandiyan Richard Bernstein and Janice Abbott Christopher Linehan* Melanie Ashkar Ann Marcus Jay Billiet Lot 45 LLC Jenny Baik Meghna Mathur Ben Birnbaum Edgar Lugo Sonia Bansal Alexander McCabe Lisa Boyd David Marcus Nitish Basandra Sanjiv Mehta Clara Braddick Ed Maxin Michael Bouton Lekha Menon Sue Brennan* Eldon and Betts Mayer Rachel Burga Evonne Neptune Bright Funds Foundation MBIA Foundation, Inc. Lorena Chan Blaise Niosi Roger Calderon Kristin Meister Sonya Chandra Robert O’Connor Mark and Jean Carucci Anne Mininberg Anita Chatterjee Nicholas Palmaro Talia Cirangle The New York Caledonian Club Thomas Cordova Priyata Patel Courtney Clark* Jonathan Otero James Curley Saahil Patel Con Edison Corporate Giving Daniel Paccione Puja Dave Anuj Puri Cords For Music Cori Palladino Purvi Dave Adam Purvis Coulter 2006 Management Trust Alexandria Pang Rinku Dave Ramya Rangamannar CUNY Campaign for Charitable Giving PayPal Giving Fund Virendra Dave Cindy Ryan Philip E. De Bard John Power Wyatt Delfino Deborah Ryan Anne Denes Jean Rabunski* Rose Ding Patrick Ryan Christopher Desir Michael Reifman Kirit Dixit Sabeen Sarwar Rick Dobbis and Mary Ann Koenig Alison Rist Felix DSouza Seema Shah Dani Drasin Jan Romano Alexandra Ennis Shah Family Fund The Durst Organization Natalie Rozenblat Sydney Fetten Naina Sharma Kyle Ebner* Michael Schaefer Stephanie Finch Subash Sharmini Abe and Tamar Eisenstat The Schoch Foundation Alison Flamm Siddhivinayak Inc. Sherry Ellis* Charles Schwartz Foundation For Music Joanna Flamm Mark Simons Howard Epstein Eric See Allison Gibson Mandeep Singh Hamza Fayyaz Lori Sonenblum Myra Gibson Carrie Somberg Peter Florian Maggie Sullivan Theodore Gibson James Staley Jennifer Fowler Emily Susskind Christiana Gozo Adam Stockton Marc Friedman Meeta Thal Chandan Guha Doug Stone Gap Foundation Gift Match Program Time Warner, Inc. Nitin Gupta Nina Sudarsan Chris and Rhonda Gething Ullmann Family Foundation Sahil Gupta Reka Sumangali Jennifer Goff Universal Music Group Kyu Hyung Ha Aarti Surti Allan Gropper Dan Vellon Nausheen Hakim Suhanya Thana Christine and Sid Gupta Alex Walker* Mary Hardy Travis Thieman Naomi Hirabayashi Brian Weisman Srilekha Jayanthi Avantika Trivedi Dennis Huacon Barry and Randi Weiss Armine Kalan Kent Twardock Paul Jaffre Robert Weisstuch Saketh Kalathur Ithti Ulit Divya Jayachandran Rena Wexelberg-Clouser Cindy Kao Jaskaran Virdi Anthery Jean Steven Williams Zachary Kaplan Zhibo Wang Scott Johnson Harsh Kondapalli Wei Yan Olga Kovalerchik

Bolded names indicate donors who have contributed $1,500 or more. Asterisked names indicate members of ETM’s Bassline, our community of monthly donors. For more information, visit www.ETMonline.org/bassline. We apologize if we have inadvertently omitted or misspelled any name. Please advise us of any errors so that we may correct our records.

Foundation, Corporate & Government Supporters 2014-15 and 2015-16

Allied World Jockey Hollow Foundation Taubman Foundation American Eagle Outfitters Foundation Carl E. Kessler Family Foundation Michael Tuch Foundation New York City Council Member Kinder Morgan Foundation Harvey and Leslie Wagner Foundation Maria del Carmen Arroyo New York City Council Member Andy King The Weissman Family Foundation Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust New York City Council Member G. Oliver Koppell Wells Fargo Foundation Bangs-Russell Foundation Emily Davie and Joseph S. Kornfeld Foundation WME Foundation Bettina Baruch Foundation The Leir Charitable Foundations Bay and Paul Foundations New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Edith C. Blum Foundation M.B.I.A. Foundation Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer’s Office Mertz Gilmore Foundation Brodsky Family Foundation The Music Man Foundation New York City Council Member Fernando Cabrera National Endowment for the Arts Capital Group The New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund CMA Foundation New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Colgate-Palmolive Company New York City Department of Education Con Edison New York Community Trust D’Addario Music Foundation New York State Council on the Arts Dancing Tides Foundation New York State Education Department The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Henry E. Niles Foundation William and Muriel Elliott Foundation New York City Council Member Annabel Palma Ford Foundation Pine Tree Foundation of New York Sidney E. Frank Foundation RBC Wealth Management New York City Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation Gilder Foundation Scoob Trust Goldman Sachs Gives Simple Actions Family Foundation Eugene and Emily Grant Family Foundation Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation Jerome L. Greene Foundation Solon E. Summerfield Foundation

ETM’s programs are supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; and by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW YORK, NY PERMIT # 4027

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