June 15, 2015, Mechanicsburg, PA - A new nonprofit music school has been formed by a group of teachers who have worked together in the area for several years. The Keystone Musical Arts Center (KMAC) plans to open its doors in September, but is already offering private lessons and summer camps in temporary locations around Mechanicsburg. Although this Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation expects to receive their federal 501(c)(3) status later this year, they are able to accept fully tax deductible donations now through a partnership with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. More information is available on the school's website, KeystoneMusicalArtsCenter.org, which was launched last week.

The Keystone Musical Arts Center offers top-quality private instruction on most instruments and voice along with group classes, workshops, ensembles and summer camps. KMAC provides an opportunity for younger students to enhance the excellent education they receive from music teachers in our local school districts. For home or cyber schoolers as well as adults, KMAC can be the key to a well-rounded musical education.

Vision Statement

The Keystone Musical Arts Center believes that music enhances every stage of life, and that everyone who pursues music, whether as a profession or as a hobby, should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

Mission Statement

We unite with the community by offering diverse, high quality musical arts experiences which inspire, enrich and advance musicianship for students of all ages and skill levels.

We operate in an environment that emphasizes both classical and contemporary fundamentals, and nurtures self-expression with an enthusiastic passion for all music.

There are a number of factors that define and differentiate the Keystone Musical Arts Center. It starts with these vision & mission statements and extends beyond the mechanics of the instrument and the fundamentals of music theory. Elements of the KMAC program include:

• Improvisation
• Ear training
• Participation in ensembles
• Exposures to different styles of music
• Interdisciplinary study

The instructors are a mix of musician/performers and musician/educators who are working together in a collaborative, positive and encouraging atmosphere with a focus on doing the right thing for students and the community. To that end, the Keystone Musical Arts Center has partnered with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) through which TFEC has become the school's fiscal sponsor. This means that KMAC may apply for grants and raise money through tax-deductible donations immediately even while their own 501(c)(3) application is pending (state nonprofit status has already been established; federal status takes longer to process). TFEC will also be a valuable resource for the Keystone Musical Arts Center as they help guide and mentor the new nonprofit entity. One of their Statements of Philosophy says that TFEC Stimulates innovative projects and programs and encourages collaborative approaches that address emerging or unmet needs.

Terry Selders, Executive Director of the Keystone Musical Arts Center, says "The philosophical principles of TFEC are very attractive to us, and I am thrilled that we get to work with such an organization that truly lives their mission. Their support is a huge reason that we are able to hit the ground running this summer." Janice Black, CEO of TFEC, states that "The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is delighted to assist the Keystone Musical Arts Center as they establish a school that will make music education and training more available for residents of our area." TFEC is located in Harrisburg and supports communities in the south central Pennsylvania counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, and Perry, and the Dillsburg area. Access their website at tfec.org.

The first public event for KMAC was at Artsfest in Harrisburg on Memorial Day. Several of the school's Rock Bands performed and the youngest group, "The Terminators," were featured on the evening news. That video is available on Channel 27's website - abc27.com - and photos from that day are posted on Facebook. The next event will be on Thursday, June 18^th at Jubilee Day in downtown Mechanicsburg. KMAC will have a booth set up all day and bands from the school will be performing on the Frankeberger Stage at 2pm.