FAYM Times The Newsletter of the Foundation to assist young musicians Issue 1 Volume 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Launching Deserving Talent 2

Victorious Returns! 3

The World is Hearing 3 What’s Happening in LV

Contributors 4 news from FAYM! turning dreams into reality

ust a year ago, on December 20, rzysztof Rucinski, 18-year old violinist from Poznan, came to J2007, the Foundation to Assist Kthe United States for the first time last December under sponsorship Young Musicians was born. Since of FAYM to perform in Arizona and Nevada. Two concerto appearances with then, it has succeeded in pursuing orchestra and four solo recitals culminated in a recital at the Henderson, NV its mission of encouraging and sup- home of Luana DeVol, internationally acclaimed opera diva. That recital officially porting gifted young musicians in 1) launched FAYM and its effort to make Kris’s dream of attending the Eastman early training, 2) advanced study, and School of Music in the United States a reality. And through the generosity 3) professional career development, of many, as well as scholarship assistance from Eastman, Kris has now com- specifically those who are in need of pleted his first semester as a first-year performance major studying with the financial and/or mentoring support noted violinist Oleh Krysa. The four-year value of Krzysztof’s scholarship is up to the age of 26. over $200,000.

Many, through their generous con- tributions to FAYM, joined us in this mission, and through their assistance FAYM has accomplished a great deal. We wish to share with you the activities that have been made possible.

Krzysztof with his teacher Oleh Krysa at the Krzysztof Rucinski playing at the home of Luana DeVol Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY EL SISTEMA INITIATIVES

AYM is playing an active role in Fadvancing the message of how music can transform the lives of youngsters us- ing the model known as EL Sistema, a system of music training for largely at- risk youngsters in Venezuela that was founded 33 years ago by Maestro Jose’ Antonio Abreu.

FAYM Trustee Hal Weller met with Dr. Abreu in Denver at the NPAC Confer- ence last June. Dr. Abreu has accepted Weller’s invitation to speak at the In- ternational Conductors Guild An- nual Conference in NYC on January 11, Pianist Corbin Beisner 2009. FAYM is taking an active role in El Sistema efforts worldwide, and most launching deserving talent notably in where a peti- tion signing effort, if successful, will re- n January, 2008 Las Vegas rier wrote, “Beisner showed instate music for 1,100,000 students in Ipianist, Corbin Beisner, a brilliance in executing the the NYC public schools. appeared as soloist with the demanding piano score with Lafayette Symphony Orches- the aplomb of a pianist twice FAYM’s website at www.myspace.com/ tra in Indiana performing (or more) his age…I can theFAYM has information and videos Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #3 hardly wait to hear him a few about both Suzuki Violin training and with Harold Weller as guest years into his future, for he the El Sistema program. conductor. Previously Corbin will make the musical rafters had been chosen by Mae- tremble with his power and stro Weller to perform on the understanding of the piano Connoisseur Series of the Las literature.” Corbin returned to Vegas Philharmonic and as Las Vegas in May to appear on soloist with the Philharmonic FAYM’s “Victorious Returns” at a Family Concert in 2007. recital. He is currently a senior Of Corbin’s performance, at the Hartt School of Music Dick Jaeger, music critic for in Hartford, Connecticut and the Lafayette Journal & Cou- will graduate this spring.

Hal Weller and Maestro Abreu in Denver last June victorious returns!

n May, 2008, FAYM presented violin students from the Nevada I“Victorious Returns!”, a recital School of the Arts under master featuring the best and brightest teacher, Mary Straub. A near-ca- musicians who had grown up in pacity audience at Independence the Las Vegas Valley and who are Hall in Henderson was thrilled by Pianist Alexandria Le now studying at prestigious mu- the talents of these extraordinary sic schools across the nation. Per- young musicians. Musicians were forming were pianists Alexandria introduced by notable FAYM sup- Le and Corbin Beisner; violinists porters Gary Karr, Luana DeVol, James Reinarz and Jeremy Rhizor; Rod LaRocque, Charles Jackson, and violist Tobias Roth. Also fea- and Shakeh Ghoukasian tured on the program were Suzuki

Violinist James Reinarz the world is hearing what’s happening in lV

AYM is a devoted supporter of the Las Vegas Youth F Orchestras, a program composed of four orchestras with over 300 young musicians participating. FAYM assisted The Youth Philharmonic in making its target budget to take its first European tour last spring. The Youth Philharmonic, under the direction of Charles Jackson, performed in Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague. For more information, visit: www.LVYO.org. The Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic in Smetana Hall in Prague

An unsung treasure

AYM trustee Hal Weller has served on the Board of the Nevada The Historic Fifth Street School -- New home for the Nevada School of the Arts FSchool of the Arts since 1999. The rededication of the Fifth Street School as the new home for the Nevada School of the Arts on September 22, 2008 was a long time dream realized for many. The $13.5M restoration project was financed by redevelopment funds from the City of Las Vegas. All citizens can now take pride in this historic Las Vegas landmark that is once again a vital and vibrant educational facility! For more about the Nevada School of the Arts see: www.nsamusic.org

Mayor Oscar & Carolyn Goodman with Hal Weller at the opening of the Historic Fifth Street School ON-GOING PROJECTS

lans are going froward to implement and augment Suzuki PViolin training in the Las Vegas Valley. With invaluable help from volunteer Arturo Ochoa, retired former principal of Sunrise Acres Elementary School, a program is soon to be an- nounced for music instruction for kindergarden-age students in the Sunrise Acres area. Funds are being raised to hire a teacher for this inner city program for at-risk youngsters.

FOUNDATION TO ASSIST YOUNG MUSICIANS Contributions from December, 2007 to December, 2008. Contributors are from the Las Vegas Valley unless otherwise noted. FAYM has received contributions from donors in 12 States of the Union as well as Canada, Australia, Poland and China.

Mr. & Mrs. James E. Bonnell $10,000 and above $250 - $499 (Albuquerque, NM) SELECTED IN-KIND Harold & Elizabeth Weller Elaine V. German A. Elaine Carey (Kettering, OH) CONTRIBUTORS Network for Good (On-line contributions) Jason Dickinson (Macao, Macau) Luana DeVol, Artistic Initatives/Hospitality Mr. Harry Sax $5,000 - $9,999 Bernice A. Fischer Marilyn & Rod LaRocque, Verde Valley Sinfonietta (Sedona, AZ) Luana DeVol Daniel Friesen (, Canada) Publicity & Accounting/Hospitality Marilyn LaRocque $100 - $249 Carl E. Forbriger (Dayton, OH) Stephen Waldron, CPA, FAYM Treasurer, Charles Nielsen Shakeh Ghoukasian Layton Layton & Tobler Anonymous Donors (Flagstaff, AZ) Roger Hewett (, Quebec, Canada) Alan Duff, FAYM Account Executive, Yvonne J. Cloutier Morgan Stanley $2,500 - $4,999 Sandy Hobgood (Chapel Hill, NC) Dr. David & Cynnea Davis (Dana Point, CA) Robert Passaro, Video Production The Holmes Family in Memory of Dr. Richard Hynson (Milwaukee, WI) Marian L. Holmes-Fried (Flagstaff, AZ) Andrew Emmett (Winston-Salem, NC) Stephen DeVol, Video Production Dave & Marilyn Kapel Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Murray William & Marilyn Hehn Roman & Halina Rozycki, Lydia Kapell (Florence, MA) Marian L. Holmes-Fried (Flagstaff, AZ) Hospitality/Mentorship Yeou-Cheng Ma (New York, NY) $1,000 - $2,499 Chuck & Blair Jackson Jeri & Rick Crawford, Janice McKay Hospitality/Mentorship Frances M. Campbell Tom M. Kirshbaum (Flagstaff, AZ) John & Anita Meyer Arturo Ochoa, Suzuki Initiative Jeri L. Crawford Richard F. Kolda (Rio Rancho, NM) Bev Patton Antonio Dias, Suzuki Initiative Church of the Red Rocks (Sedona, AZ) Howard Lamm Karen Rile (, PA) Chris Murray, Suzuki Initiative James & Sandra Frank The Las Vegas Master Singers Jolanta Rucinska (Poznan, Poland) Karl & Mary Bruner, Victorious Returns Gary Karr & Harmon Lewis (Victoria, B.C.) Frank & Gloria Ogiela Krzysztof Rucinski (Poznan, Poland) Southern Nevada Music, Roman & Halina Rozycki Dennis Ortwein Anne Stevens (Orange, Australia) Victorious Returns Stern Family Foundation Ralston O. Pitts (Mesa, AZ) Mary Straub Layne T. Rushforth, Attorney at Law Mr. & Mrs. E. A. Woolston Kevin Mullins (Flagstaff, AZ) Lisbeth West (Loveland, CO) Ed Prudhomme, Attorney at Law Hans & Marilyn Neumann Scott Whitfield (Los Angeles, CA) Patrick C. Clary, Attorney at Laws $500 - $999 Stanley H. Rosen Richard T. Crawford Ryan Yahl (Bowling Green, OH) And many, many others Mrs. Janet F. Dean (Flagstaff, AZ) Below $100 Bernice Zandona (Sydney, Australia) Thank You!! Ronald B. Zedd (Norfolk, VA) Lee Imperial Mr. & Mrs. Daniel M. Abrams (Phoenix, AZ) Joey R. Luna Carol B. Alford (Miamisburg, OH) Juliana Brown McRae Bill Bernatis Sun City Anthem Ingrid Boatright (Jacksonville, FL) Newsletter production & printing donated by Hal & Betsy Weller

clip and mail Play your Part BECOME PART OF THE FAYM FAMILY TODAY FAYM is an all-volunteer non-profit. All proceeds go Name(s)______directly to assisting young musicians. Its mission is to Address/Street______encourage and support gifted young musicians in (1) early City______State______Zip______training, (2) advanced study, and (3) professional career Email______Phone______development. I/we wish to contribute:  $100  $250  $500  $1000 Other $______Individual donations to date have ranged from $10 to Please make checks payable to FAYM and mail to: FAYM • Harold Weller, Trustee • 9513 Coral Way • Las Vegas, NV 89117 Over $10,000. Your support is now vital to continue & advance You may also charge your contribution on-line at: myspace.com/TheFAYM the work of FAYM. Your contribution to the FOUNDATION TO ASSIST (All major credit cards accepted) YOUNG MUSICIANS will help make turn musical dreams into reality! The Foundation to Assist Young Musicians is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit corporation. EIN Number 26-1472871.