NEWSLETTER # 4 - JULY 2016

PIANOS FOR PEOPLE TO BE HONORED BY THE ARTS AND EDUCATION COUNCIL WITH THE 2017 ARTS INNOVATION AWARD.
 
The Arts and Education Council said upon announcing the award:  "Pianos for People breaks down the financial barriers that keep many families from providing music lessons for their children - something that has been proven to increase IQ, creativity, critical thinking and focus among a long list of other essential skills for success. The free pianos bring music into homes, inspiring creativity and strengthening family bonds while free music lessons create a community of support and respect." We are humbled by this recognition.     

Thank you, our valuable supporters. We could never do this without you. 


PEOPLE.COM HEROES TELLS THE PIANOS FOR PEOPLE STORY

PEOPLE Magazine shares the story of Pianos for People on their website in an inspiring story and written by Jeff Truesdell. Thank you Jeff and PEOPLE for helping us spread the word. See the article and interview here:

 



ShaVonda LaGrandsmith, 49; with daughter A'Naya, 12; and sons William, 14, and Amir, 12, at home with their donated piano.  The family also takes lessons at Pianos for People. 
Photo:  JEFF TRUESDELL

SPRING RECITALS DEMONSTRATE GROWTH AND CONFIDENCE

Kayia Smith and her team of highly qualified teachers work with over 80 regular piano students during the school year, which culminated in two recitals at the end of the season. 


Kayia Smith, Piano School Director works with students to prepare them for Spring Recital
Photo:  Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch

It was so impressive to see how much the students have grown over the course of the year, both in confidence and skill.  Almost 70% of our students have now been with us since we opened our studios in October 2014, a testament to the positive and nurturing environment that PFP provides the community. 

Watch the short clip below of one class collaborating
on multiple pianos at the same time.




 Royce Martin - Playing his new Janssen Console from Pianos for People
Photo by Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
OUR TALENTED, DEDICATED PRODIGY - ROYCE MARTIN
You may have seen the Pianos for People feature in the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH in February, which highlighted the outstanding determination and talent of Royce Martin, who had just received a free piano from Pianos for People. 
Royce Martin is now taking lessons at PFP with teacher Amy Seibert, who has a Masters in Music Education, Piano Pedagogy. She said of Royce, "less than two years of playing and he is performing master works of Rachmaninoff." Royce also recently won St. Louis Teen Talent Competition at the Fox Theatre. Meet him in the short clip below. 

PIANO SLAM JAMS - THE BEST FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE AROUND

Our highly popular PIANO SLAM JAMS allow students and members of the community to
jam with the band - with no experience necessary.  The atmosphere is totally electric and uplifting, filling kids with new experiences, and helping them discover talents they never knew they had. Join us for the next Piano Slam -- just one more way we're building community in St. Louis.
Get a glimpse from the clip below.
 
GRANTS AND FOUNDATION NEWS

We have been working hard to increase our base of support  
so we can continue to meet the demand for music in the lives  
of those we serve. We are especially grateful for the important
support from the following: 
 
Renewed support from: 
 
City of St. Louis - Board of Aldermen 
Emerson Electric Trust
Fred M Kemp Foundation 
The Siteman Family Foundation

And new grants from: 

Incarnate Word Foundation - Marketplace of Ideas 
 F or a special week-long summer camp called "Turn Up Your Talent!"  A free collaborative project that will allow young people to explore and enhance their interests, from production to performance. 
 
Jewish Fund for Human Needs
For our Free Summer Piano Camps - which are in full swing!  These camps provide an important and productive alternative during those critical out of school hours. 
 
Krausse-Papendick Fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation 
This funding will  allow  PFP to open it's first Satellite Studio in Ferguson, MO - scheduled for September 2016. 
 

Free Lesson Program  supported by 
The Regional Arts Commission 




We could not meet the need without this generous
support along with our wonderful DONORS AND SUPPORTERS
Our heartfelt thanks! 



Pianos for People
(314) 750-8113
sheena@pianosforpeople.org