Our 2021 Annual Campaign: “Student Stories”

Project 440’s programs are designed to provide young people in Philadelphia and beyond with the opportunities and tools for individual growth and community impact. As such, it is the power of youth, of our students, that inspires us and drives our work.

This year we wrap up another successful year of programming that reached over 600 students. That’s 600 students each with their own skills, goals, and stories, and their own path to success. 100 of those students participated in our internationally recognized after-school programs. These students represented 41 zip codes and 23 schools across Philadelphia.

Each of the 600 students has their own story. Throughout the month, we will highlight stories from just a few of those 600, along with impact stories from Project 440 alumni who have gone on to do great things.

As we highlight these inspiring student stories, we’ll have help from the people who know those stories best — our students themselves. Stay tuned to meet Project 440 Interns Kintan and Sarah who will share some of their own experiences with Project 440, and be some of the driving forces behind our campaign!

“Project 440 has immensely impacted my life in a very positive way,” Kintan shared during a January feature highlight on the Project 440 blog. “I now know what I want to do in the future and without P440, I wouldn't have had that wake-up call.” Get to know Kintan and Sarah, along with more of our inspiring students, throughout this month on the Project 440 website and social media pages.

Each week will focus on a different aspect of our programming, students, and impact!

Week One (August 1-7) - Introducing "Student Stories”

Week Two (August 8-14) - Current Student Stories

Youth Advocacy Council Class of 2021

Student Led Music in Color Discussion Series

Watch Finding Hope in Doing Good

Kintan Silvany to Serve as Youth Board Representative

Doing Good Student Projects Make an Impact

Week Three (August 15-21) - Life After P440: Alumni Success Stories

Week Four (August 29-31) - Programmatic Impact

We ask that as you read about our inspiring students and their work both in and outside of Project 440 programs, you will make a donation to support our work and enable us to continue to reach students in Philadelphia and beyond. None of our work would be possible without the support of generous donors from our community!

Check out the positive impact we make on our students, and then check out the impact of YOUR donation in support of our programs on our Support Us page! Stay tuned for a month in celebration of student stories as we prepare for another impactful year!

Make the Most of Your Summer with Project 440 ‘Summer School’

Summer is a great time to kick back and relax… and a great time to get ahead on college application and audition preparation! All fifteen seminars from the 2020 College Fair are available online free to the public. Each session features experienced professionals who detail different aspects of the college admissions process including resume and essay writing, tackling auditions, the HBCU experience, and more. Whether you are an aspiring musician or interested in other fields, there is a session for everyone! Click here for our introduction video and the playlist of seminars on YouTube.

Check out the individual sessions below, or share them with a student in your life. Happy summer!

Introduction Video

Intermission Sessions: Yoga and Meditation

Intermission is a ground-breaking program that unites body, mind, breath, and music-making through yoga and meditation. Their hope is that through exploring mindful movement, alignment, breath-work, and self-compassion, musicians of all ages and stages can begin to unite their physical, mental, and emotional selves so that music-making may become a more holistic, healthy, joyful practice. Join Melissa White, co-founder of Intermission Sessions, as she leads you through a meditative session.

Essay and Resume Writing

Essay and Resume writing can be a stressful part of the application process. Samantha Apgar of Temple University’s Master of Public Policy Program will lead you through tips and techniques to help you prepare your resume and write your essay.

Recording Yourself on Your Own Equipment

 Recording yourself -- for auditions, and otherwise -- is a skill that will be incredibly important this year. James Clark Conner of Philadelphia’s Weston Sound will explain what equipment is necessary and will teach you how and where to record in order to have the best possible recording.

Podcast vs. Instagram

Social Media is part of everyone’s life! Join Instagram’s “That Viola Kid” Drew Forde and Classically Black’s podcast creator Dalanie Harris as they discuss different social media platforms and how to use them responsibly and effectively.

Financial Aid for Musicians

Applying for scholarships and financial aid can be overwhelming, but with the fabulous College Counselor Cigus Vanni helping you, you’ll be ready to conquer the process! Cigus shares the details of how and where to find musician-specific scholarships.

Auditioning

Weston Sprott from the Metropolitan Opera and Juilliard School of Music returns to teach how to set yourself up for a successful college audition experience. Our most popular workshop last year, you’ll leave feeling calm and assured about how to approach the audition season. 

Bulletproof Musician: Audition Psychology

If you’d like to become a more confident, skilled, and “bulletproof” musician, Audition Psychologist and Juilliard faculty Noa Kageyama will help you beat nerves and perform your very best on stage.

What I Wish I Knew

Adults may have wisdom, but recent high school grads know exactly what you’re going through! Join college students from Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey as they discuss what they wish they had done differently in their college application process. This panel will have an extensive Question and Answer session so you can ask your peers exactly what you want to know.

The HBCU Experience

Join Dr. David Morrow of Morehous College for a brief history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their importance today.

Creating Calm in Crisis: Navigating College Auditions During a Pandemic

Unprecedented times call for new protocol. Joan Gordon and Alexa Smith of the Manhattan School of Music help you determine what will be different and what will stay the same.

Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Musicians

Wondering if music is relevant in our ever evolving world? Project 440’s Program Director Susanna Loewy will lead a session in examining how to create the change you want to see in the world -- through music.

Ask Me Anything with “Cigus the College Fairy”

Cigus Vanni was a college counselor at both the high school and college level… and he’s a Jeopardy champion! Pick his brain in this 50-minute Question and Answer session.

Career Paths in Music

Wondering where a degree in music will lead? Curtis Institute of Music’s Mary Javian discusses all the different types of careers you can have after school and will review the video examples on the Community Board. These videos are submitted from professionals across the music industry.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Please join is in wishing a huge CONGRATULATIONS to the members of our Youth Advocacy Council (YAC) graduating in 2021! We are so proud of all our YAC students have accomplished and all they will accomplish in the years to come. Check out what our YAC students’ plans for this upcoming year!

Blue Shelton is the first student to be awarded the full-tuition scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music reserved for a Project 440 alum. Blue is a flutist, PMAY artist, and student of Project 440 Program Director Susanna Loewy.

Ariadna Rosas is also PMAY artist and was a guest speaker at our 2021 Finding Hope in Doing Good event. At the event, Ariadna shared, “Thanks to Project 440, I was able to transform into a better version of myself and prepare for a future I am excited about.” Ariadna will be attending Rowan University on a full scholarship.

Myles Bell is the creative mind that pitched YAC’s Music in Color discussion series focused on race, representation, and diversity in classical music. He is also a PMAY artist and will be studying biomedical engineering at Duke University this fall.

Kintan Silvany is an alumna of Doing Good and Instruments for Success, and serves as the Youth Board Representative to the Project 440 Board of Directors. She says her favorite memories with Project 440 were being nominated to the Board, joining Generation Music, and working with Cigus on college applications! Kintan will be attending Case Western Reserve University with a major in international studies and a minor in music at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Aviva Bock is a violinist who has participated in a myriad of Philadelphia programs including PMAY, Musicopia, and more. Her proudest moment working for YAC was reflecting on all the great work they did, especially the “Music in Color” series. She will be attending Eastman School of Music this fall.

Congratulations as well to Calistha Gunawan and Semaj Murphy, violinists and members of the class of 2021.

To our YAC graduates, and all our Project 440 students graduating this month, thank you for being a part of our Project 440 family. We are so grateful for all you have contributed to the Philadelphia community, and cannot wait to see your continued success in the years to come!

Youth Advocacy Council Announces 2021 "In Tune" Award Recipient

Each year, Project 440's Youth Advocacy Council recognizes the exceptional work of a Philadelphia-based music educator through their In Tune award. Recipients are chosen based on their devotion to students, innovation in teaching, and presence with students.

The 2021 awardee of the Youth Advocacy Council In Tune Award is Ashley Vines!

Vines began her musical studies as a student in the School District of Philadelphia and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance as a viola student of Renard Edwards. She was a recipient of the 2016-2017 IRIS Artist Fellowship, through which she performed in a chamber ensemble with a focus on community outreach and taught as a community engagement fellow through the Memphis Music Initiative.

YAC students share that Vines was chosen for her “dedication to music education, passion for helping students, and immense influence on many young musicians in the Philadelphia area.” The students said they believe leaders like Vines are “essential to [the flourishment] of classical music and education in Philadelphia.” Vines joined YAC for one of this year’s Music in Color series focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of classical music.

Currently, Ashley works as an instrumental music teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, a violin and viola teaching artist with Musicopia and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's Tune Up Philly program, and Director of String Orchestras for Temple University’s Community Music Scholars Program. 

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the amazing and inspiring students of the YAC,” Vines shared. “I deeply respect the work that these students are doing and I look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish in the future.”

YAC and the Project 440 team are so grateful for Vines’s work and impact on Philadelphia students. Please join us in congratulating her as the third winner of the annual In Tune Award!

Board of Directors Transitions to New Structure, Electing Mary Javian and Megan Speight as Co-Chairs

As we grow and evolve here at Project 440, our leadership structures grow and evolve with us. This month, the Project 440 Board of Directors has transitioned to a Co-Chair structure. Mary Javian and Megan Speight have been elected as the first Board Co-Chairs.

“We are blessed at Project 440 to have such an inspirational Board for our organization,” said Executive Director and Founder Joseph Conyers. “Tad LeVan has valiantly led Project 440 as Chair for nearly six years, and we are very grateful for his steadfast leadership over those years. There are certainly some very large shoes to fill!”

LeVan began in his role as Board chair in May 2015, after being drawn to the organization’s unique approach to using music as a tool for change. He will remain on the Board as Javian and Speight begin their roles as Co-Chairs.

“I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to be Board chair during this period of growth and development for Project 440,” LeVan stated. “Over the past six years, Project 440’s programming, student opportunities, and, most importantly, its positive and lasting impact on Philadelphia and the larger community has increased exponentially. It has been exciting to play a small part in such a great organization that effectuates real change. I am thrilled to transition Board leadership to Mary and Megan – who I know will do a fantastic job taking Project 440 to the next level – and I look forward to remaining with the organization as a Board member, legal counsel, and all-around supporter!”

Mary Javian is the Chair of Career Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music. She has performed as a double bassist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, served as principal bass of the IRIS Orchestra and has recorded with the Philadelphia and IRIS orchestras, the Tanglewood Music Center, Network for New Music, Dolce Suono Ensemble, and the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music. Javian has served on the Project 440 Board of Directors since November 2014.

“As a long-time Board member I am honored to move into the Co-Chair role of this unique and important organization,” shared Javian. “It is urgent that we equip young people with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Project 440's curriculum is a rare model that promotes equity, access and innovation.”

In her role at Curtis, Javian has created a dynamic social entrepreneurship curriculum that develops the entrepreneurial and advocacy skills that 21st-century musicians need. Her project-based classes help students create community partnerships that sustain both artistic and social value.

“Mary is a well-known force nationally for both her musical and community engagement endeavors through music. Her leadership as a co-chair will be invaluable,” Conyers said. “Equally as invaluable as Mary Javian’s work is the work of Megan Speight, whose time with the organization has spanned nearly two years and who very quickly took on the role of Marketing Chair for the organization,” says Conyers. “Her guidance has been integral to the many successes in the messaging of our important work — locally, nationally, and internationally.”

Megan Speight joined the Project 440 Board of Directors in April 2019 and began her work with the Marketing Committee, promoting Project 440’s mission to folks around the country, and beyond.

Speight said, “As a native to the Philadelphia area and a previous classically trained musician, it is my honor to lead this organization as the Co-Chair of the Board with Mary. The impact Project 440 makes locally and nationally in support of equity, inclusion, and upskilling on students is imperative to their success in their future. I look forward to seeing this organization grow and further it's reach in supporting upcoming generations and their drive to ignite change in their communities."

An experienced public relations and communications professional, Speight is the Public Relations Coordinator at the Project Management Institute. She has worked in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors including organizations such as Comcast, The Franklin Institute and the National Constitution Center. In her current role as Public Relations Manager at Maternity Care Coalition, Speight focuses her efforts on media relations, developing and implementing public relations plans, supporting the Fund Development and program staff with events, and co-manages all of the organizations’ social media platforms.

“In their roles as Co-Chairs, we have perfect ‘harmony’ in leadership, stewardship, innovation, motivation, and service, and we are so happy to have them lead Project 440 through this most important time in our organization's history,” said Conyers.

Congratulations to our new Board Co-Chairs, and thank you for your work on behalf of Project 440!

Project 440 Receives First International Grant of $40,000 from Borletti-Buitoni Trust (BBT)

Thanks to the support of generous trusts and foundations, Project 440 has received $50,000 in grant funding so far in 2021, including the organization’s first international grant of $40,000 from the Borletti-Buitoni Trust (BBT). The organization has also received $7,500 from The Presser Foundation, over $3,000 from The Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and $2,500 from The D’Addario Foundation.

BBT Founder Ilaria Borletti Buitoni commented, “All the organisations we support recognise the power of music to transform; to not only teach music skills that generate feelings of pride, accomplishment and respite from challenging daily lives, but also to engender the sense of inclusion, friendship, communication and self-respect that comes from engaging in music-making as a group.”

Project 440 was one of just eight organizations selected by BBT from across the globe. Our peer organizations are working in Kenya, Southern Italy, Norfolk, and beyond ignite positive change through music. Click here to read about all awarded organizations and programs.

Funds from BBT will be used to fund a second cohort of Project 440’s flagship Doing Good program in Philadelphia for the first time, doubling the program’s impact and expanding capacity to 50 students.

“Project 440 is honored to receive our first international award for the important work of our organization,” Executive Director Joseph Conyers stated. “That we can now duplicate our efforts in reaching more young people in Philadelphia both gives us great pride and strengthens our resolve to reach more of our city's you. We are thankful to these foundations for enabling Project 440 to provide our most extensive programming to the greatest number of Philadelphia youth in our organization's history.”

Funds from the Presser and D’Addario Foundation will be used to continue and expand Project 440 programming including Doing Good, Instruments for Success, and Youth Advocacy Council. Through each of these programs, we are resolute in our mission: to empower students to use music as a tool to forge new pathways for themselves and ignite change in their communities. Our vision is that every young person will have the necessary opportunities and tools for personal growth and community impact. By developing these tools through students’ shared interest in music, our programming benefits not just our students, but our community by creating a world where music is seen not as a curricular “add on,” but as an essential cornerstone of any vibrant education.

We are immensely grateful for the support of The Borletti-Buitoni Trust, The Presser Foundation, and The D’Addario Foundation for their generous support, which makes our work possible.

The Borletti-Buitoni Trust (BBT) supports both outstanding young musicians (BBT Artists) and charitable organisations that help the underprivileged and disadvantaged through music (BBT Communities). Whether developing and sustaining young artists’ international careers, or bringing the joy of music to new communities, the Trust provides invaluable assistance and encouragement.  www.bbtrust.com

The Presser Foundation was established in 1939 under the Deeds of Trust and Will of the late Theodore Presser. In the charter of incorporation, The Foundation’s purposes are set forth to promote primarily the cause of musical education and musical philanthropy as follows: to provide scholarships for promising students; to increase the value of music education by erecting suitable buildings; and to administer aid to worthy teachers of music in distress.

The Philadelphia Cultural Fund (PCF) was established in 1991 when Philadelphia’s Mayor and City Council authorized the creation of an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide funds to enhance the cultural life and vitality of the City of Philadelphia and its residents. PCF is managed by a professional philanthropy staff, with governance provided by a board comprised of arts leaders, community members and representatives named by the Mayor and City Council President. The PCF aims to advocate for and promote arts and culture as engines of social, education and economic development in Philadelphia.

The D’Addario Foundation is a non-profit organization that identifies the highest quality, most impactful instrument instruction programs in communities of need and awards grants and product donations to assist their growth and development. The Foundation believes in the power of music to unlock creativity, boost self-confidence, and enhance academics. By making music education accessible, we can positively affect social change and foster better citizens of the world.

Music in Color: Social Media as a Tool for Change

The following blog post was written by Youth Advocacy Council (YAC) member, Maria Karakousis. Join YAC for the next session of their Music in Color series on Monday, March 29th.

On the last Monday of January, I had the opportunity to speak with bass player Dalanie Harris, co-host of the renowned Classically Black podcast and co-founder of the growing International Society for Black Musicians, and oboe player Mekhi Gladden, alumnus of the Atlanta Symphony Talent Development Program and current student of the Curtis Institute of Music. I did not just run into such talent and inspiration on the street — I don’t have that kind of awesome luck. Actually, I met these two wonderful people at the culmination of a month of planning and organizing with my fellow members of the Project 440 Youth Advocacy Council (YAC): the January Music in Color event. Where else would I be able to not only listen to, but converse with, people like Dalanie and Mekhi?

Dalanie Harris & Katie Brown of Classically Black. Harris joined YAC for their January session of Music in Color.

For those readers who are not familiar with Music in Color, this new series hosted by YAC on the last Monday of every other month aims to share with Philadelphia-area youth the origins, struggles, and ultimate success of minority classical musicians who are using their talents to help create the positive change they want to see in their communities. Each session consists of a live conversation between all who attend, which always include several truly amazing professionals. Our past three conversations have centered around specific subjects, but the overarching take-away from each Music in Color Zoom call is that no matter your race or identity, you can succeed in classical music and use it to make a positive impact on the places and groups that need it.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “where words fail, music speaks?” Hans Christian Andersen’s quote couldn’t ring more true, but I hope he wouldn’t mind my narrowing it down: “where words fail, classical music speaks” for the sake of this piece. Classical music has always been a part of my life and has never failed to help me through rough times. I feel so blessed to have been able to continue playing Chopin on the piano and Dittersdorf on the harp (thanks to the generosity of The Glissando Program) through the social distancing mandated by a pandemic that took my grandfathers. Though we classical musicians find joy in bringing the work of dead people to life, the elephant is in the room: classical music itself is dying, starved of appreciation beyond its shrinking circle of enthusiasts. We are now faced with a crucial question: how do we keep alive what we love?

The answer, Dalanie and Mekhi agree, lies in the enormous power of social media to make what seems distant and unattainable accessible to people, especially youth, who otherwise feel they have no point of entry into a group or field. Specifically, as we discussed during January’s session, we need to make classical music more accessible to Black and Hispanic kids, and to cast light on the abundance of work by composers of color that has been kept mostly in the dark, if we hope for the rebound of classical music. In our time, harnessing social media’s ability to market and project underrepresented voices is the clearest pathway to accomplishing both of these goals.

Dalanie began work toward these goals with her Classically Black podcast, which presents classical music in a way that is by and for Black people. Though she started the podcast just under three years ago, she has already received confirmation that she is helping to bridge the gap between classical music and Black culture, bringing Black people into the world of classical music when “they may not necessarily have an entry point.” In talking to Music in Color attendees about how she uses her social platforms to showcase Black musical achievement and make Black musicians feel seen, she shared, “we’ve gotten a couple messages over the years saying, ‘You know, I really felt alone in classical music until you said X-Y-Z...’ that’s really affirming to hear that people feel that way listening to our show.” For Dalanie and Mekhi, social media is intuitively their tool to create and foster community. As Mekhi put it, “music is inherently social, so it makes sense that it passes so easily through social media.” Dalanie told us that this strong sense of community present across social media platforms is especially important when trying to “connect with each other because a lot of [minority] people may feel like they are the only one in classical music” and when uplifting and upholding the work of underrepresented composers.

According to Mekhi, the most important aspect of social media that has incredible potential to foster social change is that it begets “this constant flow of information that helps you expand your horizons.” In order to expose her audience to new Black players and composers, Dalanie explained, she herself has had to first seek out and expose herself to that because she’s “just a person in the classical music industry too” whose classical music education did not emphasize the work of Black musicians. “We all know that there’s plenty of music out there and we need to highlight key voices,” said Mekhi. Social media is the door to finding that music and those voices. That is why he has committed himself to live streaming recitals featuring pieces composed by friends or little-known composers and configuring his social media feeds to include more of the “music written by people who have had their voices stifled by the canon [of repertoire] and such that just needs to get performed.” The first step is getting those kinds of mostly unheard pieces written by underrepresented composers out there into the virtual human web. That will lead more people to perform it, which will lead more people to realize that there is so much beautiful music by minority composers that they are missing out on, and which we should emphasize and rally around if we want to not only help classical music survive, but push it to thrive.

Well readers, that is what I learned and have now reflected upon following the January 2021 Music in Color session. Its duration of one hour felt too short a time to spend talking with Dalanie and Mekhi, but I hope you agree that what was said in this open discussion gives impetus to deeply consider and implement new perspectives regarding music in our personal lives and in our communities. If you enjoyed reading this post, think about how much you would enjoy actually participating in our next Music in Color session on March 29th, 2021. Email yac@project440.org with any questions or comments about this post or how to register for our March event. On behalf of all of us at YAC, we hope to see you then!

This blog post was written by Youth Advocacy Council Member, Maria Karakousis. Maria is a high school junior attending J.R. Masterman in Philadelphia. She loves playing the piano and the harp (thanks to the incredible generosity of the Glissando Program of the Curtis Institute of Music Lyra Society) and immersing herself in classical music. She is very passionate about using the positive power of music to improve society, and is profoundly grateful for the opportunity to help empower other Philadelphia youth to do the same through the Project 440 Youth Advocacy Council. In between school, volunteering, practicing her instruments, her jobs (including teaching piano), and biomedical research, Maria enjoys going on runs along the Schuylkill River and spending time with her family.

Doing Good class of 2020 community projects

This past December, we celebrated the 2020 class of Doing Good! Doing Good is a 30-session intensive after-school entrepreneurial program that provides guidance to high school musicians who want to positively impact their communities. The unique curriculum challenges students to view their curiosity about the world as a window through which they can see the needs, gaps, and opportunities they are best equipped to address. Throughout the semester, students ideate, plan, and implement a community serve project under the guidance of Project 440 staff and teaching artists.

On graduation night, students presented their community service projects to the Project 440 family. Check our this year’s projects, as well as their founding members and mission statements, below. This has been a unique and challenging year for us all. We are so proud of the resilience and strength of each member of this graduating class!

String for Change

Nicolette Sullivan-Cozza, Justine Sullivan-Colla

Mission: SFC’s mission is to give lower income school students access to a music education by providing free music lessons and access to musical instruments.

Tonic K-5

Yeshua Irizarry, Trifena Tanisya, Ronnell Williams, Haley Joyner

Mission: K-5 students deserve to explore music through a cleaner lens. Tonic K-5 will do just that. We will hold meetings once a week with elementary students around the Philadelphia School District. In these meetings, we hope to spark a great interest in the music that these kids will soon be playing. We want the students to look at a piece and be able to understand what they’re playing and how they’re going to be playing it.

Arts for Adolescents

Arianna Baxley, Grace Hiu, Hajra Khan, Leandra Profitt, Mora-Lee Moore, Patrick Cannon, Jada Smith

Mission: Our goal is to give introductions to different forms of art (such as music, art, etc.) and show how they can be used as coping mechanisms for students who are in low-income schools in order to help the lack of mental health resources that are provided.

Art-Shark

Isaiah Muhammad, Kyle Boone, Patricia Harden, Ryan Williams, Tyler Davis, Xandro Xu

Mission: A place for independent artists to share their work and build off of each other.

Black Youth Empowered

Cierra Wright, Divine Epps, Jayla Jones, Leilani Padilla, Yohanna Heyer

Mission: Black Youth Empowered’s mission is to bring awareness around racial injustice and the lack of inclusivity that Black youth face. Over the past couple years the conversation around Black Lives Matter has consistently not reached certain groups, or has quickly lost its speed. We want to focus on engaging and educating nonblack youth and empowering Black youth through social media. We also want to use our connections within the classical music community to reach a generally older and more conservative group through music performance.

Meet Kintan Silvany, Youth Representative to the Project 440 Board of Directors

Meet Kintan Silvany, the newest member and Youth Board Representative of the Project 440 Board of Directors. Kintan is a senior at John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls School and started playing the harp when she was 11 years old. She has completed Project 440’s Instruments for Success and Doing Good programs, served as a peer mentor during Project 440: Online, and serves as a member of the Youth Advocacy Council (YAC).

Kintan currently serves as a teacher for Generation Music and as a Youth Apprentice for PhillyRoots, a social justice youth program, where she is involved with civic engagement and community defense. At school, she is Treasurer of Student Council, Co-President of the Music Club, a proud Colgan Scholar, and participates in mock trial, yearbook, and the All-Catholic Orchestra.

Kintan also volunteers both with her youth group, Maranatha, and at her community library every Wednesday tutoring younger students, and labeling and shelving books. As she joins the Board of Directors, Kintan took time to reflect on her time with Project 440 thus far, and share how her experiences have shaped her as an individual and musician.

What has been your favorite part of working with Project 440? “I love so much of Project 440, I really can't name one! Mr. Cigus, our beloved ‘College Fairy,’ has personally helped me so much with my college process. I always ask him to edit my essays and he always makes the time to do so. At YAC, we started a new segment called Music in Color (thanks to Myles Bell), and it has been so interesting hearing from young musicians from the Philadelphia community. Without Doing Good, I wouldn't have been able to become a teacher. I can't forget about being a Peer Mentor during Project 440: Online! Working with Ms. Hanul was a blast!”

What is your proudest accomplishment? “My proudest accomplishment with P440 was leading my own workshop for Generation Music. We started a new segment last year called ‘Mini Masterclasses,’ and I led the first one with my very own harp! We have now switched the program online so if music teachers need those lessons, they are at their service.”

How has Project 440 supported you as an individual and as a musician? How has it impacted your life? “It definitely made me realize that there was more to music than just playing classical. I'm going to let you in on a little secret: classical music isn't really my thing. I still wanted to incorporate music in my life somehow, but I didn’t know how! Going into Doing Good for the first time in 10th grade, I realized my dream was to create a nonprofit music school in my parents’ hometown of Surabaya, Indonesia. I couldn't really do it yet since I couldn't go to Indonesia during the school year, but this goal stood in the back of my mind. Ms. Susanna encouraged me to join another nonprofit organization that had a similar mission of benefitting future generations: Generation Music.

I would be totally lost in the college process without Cigus, and I really mean that. I am stress-free when I know I can just email him anytime with any silly questions I have about my essay, the Common App, or really anything else! Ms. Sam Apgar has been so supportive of YAC. She guides us and lets us be independent at the same time. Without her, I wouldn't know how YAC could have been as successful as it is right now.

Overall, as you can tell, Project 440 has immensely impacted my life in a very positive way. I now know what I want to do in the future and without P440 I wouldn't have had that wake-up call.”

Kintan and her Generation Music project group in spring 2019.

What do you want Project 440 donors to know? “Philadelphia has a vastly diverse amount of young musicians who need your support. Without you, I would not have found my life's purpose. Help others like me! While they may or may not find their life's purpose, they will learn that there is so much more you can do in life than play in an orchestra. While playing in an orchestra is pretty fun, learning how to start your own nonprofit is a skill not many people have. Funding Project 440 will allow GenZ musicians to have another skill that will help them stand out everywhere! At Project 440, you don't have to be a prodigy. You just need to have potential!”

In the future, Kintan aspires to run her own non-profit music school in Indonesia. We are immensely grateful for the time and passion she has already invested in the Project 440 community, and cannot wait to see what she accomplishes as a member of our Board of Directors and beyond!

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December Giving Campaign: Student Spotlights

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!