After a year of growth and development, we are challenging our supporters to help us reach our goal of $20,000 in donations in the month of December. Donations go directly to creative youth-based programming that provides young people with the opportunity and tools for individual growth and community impact. Keep up with us throughout the month to read about our students, who have benefitted from Project 440 programming thanks to your support!
“As an individual and a musician, Project 440 has given me new opportunities to spread myself and music in unique ways. Project 440 gave music a new meaning in my life.” - Patricia Harden
Meet Mora-Lee Moore!
Mora-Lee Moore is a sophomore PMAY Artist and has been playing the violin for seven years. Mora-Lee says her favorite part of music is having the opportunity to play with others. “It's my biggest motivation when I choose to participate in chamber ensembles and orchestras.”
Proudest Accomplishment: “I'm very proud of the person that I have grown to become until now, and my resolve for all of the obstacles that I have faced.”
Favorite Part of Project 440 Programming: “My favorite part of working with the Doing Good program is that I'm given the resources to take advantage of my experience in music and the arts in order to make a positive impact on communities.”
When asked how Project 440 programming has impacted her life, Mora-Lee shares, “Before joining Project 440, I felt like I was incapable of making any kind of change. Doing Good has made me realize that having the experience of being a musician is a tool in and of itself. Music allows me to be able to help others while doing something that I love. Learning this has opened up all kinds of career paths for me, and I finally feel like I'm capable of making any kind of change that I'm passionate about.”
What does Mora-Lee want our donors to know? “I would like for donors to know that the knowledge that Project 440 provides to students is life-changing, and these tools that are taught will help students all throughout their life. I definitely know that Project 440's teachings will stick with me.”
In the future, Mora-Lee plans to become a more experienced musician, study songwriting, and continue my journey of self-discovery.
Ryan Williams
Ryan is a junior violinist and PMAY Artist. He has been playing violin since fourth grade.
Favorite Part of Project 440 Programming: “I really enjoy talking & meeting new people. They were very helpful & I enjoyed every class. This program is an amazing program for people looking into business.”
Isaiah Muhammad
Isaiah is a senior cellist. They began playing in eighth grade, then picked the instrument back up senior year.
Proudest Accomplishment: “Getting 100 followers on my first art, I was really proud and happy that day.”
Favorite Part of Project 440 Programming: Meeting so many new people!
When asked how Project 440 programming has impacted their life, Isaiah shares, “Being around so many musicians my age make me want to keep practicing and doing good has helped me a bit with my organization skills.”
In the future, Isaiah plans to go to college to study music and psychology.
Lilly Johannan
Lilly is a sophomore, and plays viola and piano. She says music has opened the door for her to a special community of friends and mentors.
When asked what pushes her to continue to play music, even as she navigates the barriers posed by COVID-19, Lilly responded, “Music isn't always about the reward. This whole experience is teaching us more about how to be innovative with music. It's beneficial to learn through these hard processes. Some people don't get these opportunities in the first place, and through COVID, we're learning to appreciate all that we had and will have again."
How Project 440 programming has impacted her life: “Doing Good has allowed me to understand the potential of helping my community through music, and my future goals.”
In the future, Lilly plans to continue to play viola and piano through high school and college, participate in auditions, and to use what she has learned through Project 440 as she navigates her musical journey.
Divine Epps
Divine is a junior cellist. Divine is a PMAY Artist and has been playing cello for about eight years.
Proudest Accomplishments: Being accepted to the Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts (CAPA) and getting to do a masterclass with Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
Favorite Part of Project 440 Programming: “My favorite part of working with Project 440 is meeting new people and becoming friends with many of them. I also think collaborating with peers has been one of my favorite parts.”
When asked about how Project 440 impacted her life, Divine shares, “Project 440's community has supported me, as an individual and musician, by encouraging me to be louder and slowly helping me with my confidence. It has impacted my life in a way where I am able to interact with more peers and has given me more ways to help my community.”
What does Divine want our donors to know? “This program helps people make relationships with new people and pushes others to get out of their comfort zone.”
Fun Facts: Divine enjoys playing Sims, watching TikTok, and baking.
Leandra Profitt
Leandra is a junior who has been playing violin for seven years, and guitar for two.
Proudest Accomplishment: Being accepted to the Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts (CAPA).
Favorite Part of Project 440 Programming: Getting to meet and work with new people.
When asked about how Project 440 impacted her life, Leandra shares, “Project 440 has impacted my life by giving me something to invest in and learn from. I want people to know how much Project 440 impacts its participants.”
In the future, Leandra plans to attend and graduate from college.
Trifena Tanisya
Trifena is a sophomore violinist and singer. She has always been a singer, and recently began picked back up the violin after starting high school. She is a part of her church’s praise and worship team and the Girard Academy Music Program’s (GAMP) Concert Choir.
Trifena’s favorite part of Project 440 programming: “Meeting new people was a small fear of mine, but it ended up being the reason I looked forward to going to each session.”
When asked about how Project 440 programming has impacted her life, Trifena shares, “It has taught me selflessness and leadership. I learned many things from each and every one of my peers.”
In the future, Trifena wants those around her to be happy. She plans to go to a good college and raise a family.
Fun facts: She loves Squishmallows and K-dramas!
Jayla Jones
Jayla is a freshman cellist who has been playing for four years. She plays both for fun and for self-improvement, and is a PMAY Artist.
Proudest musical accomplishment: Memorizing the Bach Cello Courante.
Jayla’s favorite part of Project 440 programming: is collaborating with her classmates.
When asked about how Project 440 impacted her life, Jayla shares, “Everyone in Project 440's programming has supported me as a musician. Project 440 impacted my life by providing many resources to gain more knowledge and grow as a musician.”
What does Jayla want our donors to know? “I want them to know that every donation put into Project 440 is proved worth it by the students and families that participate. We appreciate it! It has been less challenging during this pandemic being a part of this online program because I am socializing and interacting with people in a safe way. I'm learning things that allow me to become a better person.”
In the future, Jayla plans to become a biomedical engineer, and to be a cellist on the side who helps increase diversity in orchestras.
Fun facts: For fun, Jayla likes to draw, read, watch anime, and learn cello covers for popular songs!
Patricia Harden
Patricia began playing the violin in school six years ago, but has since worked to take it to a more serious level outside of the classroom. She is most proud of her first performance.
When asked about her work with Project 440, Patricia shares, “My favorite part is being able to meet so many students with different backgrounds and overall, making friends. The Doing Good Program allows me to share my ideas of how I want to make music a business and meet a group that’s right for my idea.”
What does Patricia want our donors to know? “As an individual and a musician, Project 440 has given me new opportunities to spread myself and music in unique ways. Project 440 gave music a new meaning in my life.”
Patrick Cannon
Patrick is a sophomore saxophone & oboe player is most proud of his ability to push himself and try new things.
When asked about his work with Project 440, Patrick shares, “I love the community me and my peers have. It's been great meeting other musicians and working with some of them in our project. Coming to class each Monday & Thursday to such an open community really helped boost my spirits after long draining days at school. It also opened my eyes to how if you have an idea, you can make it a reality.”
What does Patrick want our donors to know? “Project 440’s Doing Good program is all about.. well Doing Good! It's for a really good cause.”
Check back throughout our December Giving Campaign to read about more of our incredible students!