What is Resilience to You?

What is Resilience to You?

Project 440 launched our annual fiscal year-end campaign and we are honored to announce the support of an anonymous donor and the Project 440 Board of Directors! The group pledged to match up to $10,000 of donations received during the month of August. This means that your donation makes DOUBLE the impact in supporting Project 440’s mission to help young people use their interest in music to forge new pathways for themselves and ignite change in their communities.

2020 has been a year full of challenges. Despite those challenges, Project 440 has been dedicated to providing young musicians with the skills and tools they need to succeed. The pandemic, coupled with recent social unrest, has motivated Project 440 more than ever to fulfill our mission while exploring new ways to engage young musicians in this time of need. Project 440 has been resilient, our students have been resilient. Together, through resilience, we are able not only to survive, but thrive in the world today.

We were interested to hear from our students on their thoughts about resilience. So we asked them, “What is Resilience to You?” You can watch and listen to their responses in the video below.

Throughout the month of August, we will continue to highlight the resilience of the Project 440 Family: the students, staff, board, and our community at large. We need your support to continue offering our essential programming to the people who need it the most, the youth. You can donate now and double your impact by clicking here.

The Youth Advisory Council Announces the 2020 "In Tune” Award Recipient

Each year, Project 440's Youth Advisory Council recognizes a teacher and their work with the In Tune award. Recipients are awarded for their devotion to students, innovation in teaching, and presence with to students.

For the second annual In Tune award, the Youth Advisory Council selects Aileen Rimando-Jackson!

Aileen Rimando Jackson is in her sixth year teaching for the School District of Philadelphia, and is currently finishing her first year as the Orchestra Director at Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP)!  Passionate about youth and music education, she was previously an itinerant music teacher for the district; coach and student advocate for Musicopia String Orchestras; and chamber music coach, teacher, and counselor at the New York State Summer School of the Arts’ School of Orchestral Studies.

She holds a Master of Science degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University, and Bachelor of Music degrees in Violin Performance and Music Education from Temple University. An avid freelance violinist, she also often performs throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.  In addition to her musical activities, Aileen loves running around the city with Students Run Philly Style, traveling the world, and laughing with loved ones.  She happily resides in Philadelphia with her goofball, sweetheart husband, Kevin.

Aileen said the following in acceptance of the award: “I am honored and deeply touched to receive the In Tune Award by an organization that uses music as a tool to guide our youth in their own lives while also being better ambassadors for the community.  I am so blessed and lucky to have a job I very much love -- teaching and sharing music every day with students who constantly energize and inspire ME!  I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the immense gratitude I hold in my heart for my own mentors, colleagues, friends, and family, for I would not be where I am today without their guidance, support, and love.”

We are thankful for her hard work and dedication as she continues to teach and guide the students in our community. Join us in congratulating the 2nd In Tune award winner, Aileen Rimando-Jackson!

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Alumni Spotlight: Chloe Cooper

Meet Chloe Cooper, one of Project 440’s alumni! Our interview highlights her experience in our programs and what she is doing now.

Q:  What instrument do you play? Do you have interests that lie outside of music?

I play the flute, but outside of music I'm a photographer (you can check out my work on my Instagram, @chloecpictures!). I recently got into gardening and I have so far planted mint and lavender. I love to cook and I'm always trying new recipes, and I collect crystals.

Q: How did you hear about and get involved with Project 440? What programs were you in?

I heard about Project 440 through a friend (Marquise) and the first program I joined was Doing Good in 2018, which was their inaugural year. That was the jumping off point for me to join Instruments for Success, the Youth Advisory Council, and speak at multiple P440's salons.

Q: How did those program(s) help you grow?

Starting with Doing Good, I learned how to be an entrepreneur by learning how to make budgets, elevator pitches, and business models to successfully actualize my idea into an organization, which I am proud to say myself and my business partner Claire did by creating Generation Music. Instruments for Success taught me about the college application process, which I desperately needed because it wasn't explained as in-depth at my high school. Cigus (The College Fairy) was an amazing teacher and helped me every step of the way. He helped me understand the FAFSA application and using the Common App since it was my first time dealing with those websites and even looked over any essays I had to write for the colleges I was applying to. I learned how to appeal my financial aid awards, what to look for when picking colleges, and what college admission officers look for in an application. The Youth Advisory Council taught me what a working board looked like and how it functioned. We all voted to appoint people to various roles in the council but we all still had a voice to share our thoughts and opinions. With the Youth Advisory Council, we planned multiple Young Persons Night at the Orchestra for high school students to be able to meet members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and attend their concert.

Q: What are you doing now? (school, working, etc.)

I'm currently studying Music Education at the University of Tampa. I joined Kappa Kappa Psi, which is a national honorary band fraternity in November of 2019, and this semester I became the committee chair for the fundraising committee. Although I'm in Florida, I'm still an active member in planning and coordinating events for Generation Music with Claire. 

Q: If there is one thing you could tell high school students about college and the experience, what would it be?

1.) Give yourself time and preparation when it comes to finishing your application, preparing for auditions, and actually applying.

2.) You gain a lot of free time with your class schedule so take that time to de-stress and do something for yourself!

3.) This is the perfect time to join clubs, if you're in a new city you can explore and really acclimate yourself, and most importantly make new friends!

4.) Make sure that you pick a major that you enjoy and are good at. Sometimes the major you do pick will not be easy all the time but in the end, your reward will pay off greatly.

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Congratulations to the Doing Good Class of 2020!

On January 30th, 2020, we celebrated the 2020 Doing Good Graduation! 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.

The evening was headlined by the students presenting their community-service projects to their friends, family, and the Project 440 family. This year’s projects included:

New Melodies

Makayla Bevans, Jacob Lubira, Danayah Randoloph, Skylar Walter 

Mission: New Melodies is a non-profit organization that is giving children diagnosed with mental illness an artistic outlet.  Much of the diagnosed youth today result in their entire lives being turned upside down. In activities, if you are diagnosed, sometimes you can’t participate.  When they get singled out it then pushes the person further away from interacting with others. However, in art, there are very little guidelines and rules. Those diagnosed don’t have to worry about being singled out.  The program will not only stretch the boundaries but it will show the children and society that these diagnosed are more capable than a statistic might say.

Generation Music Plus

Aviva Bock, Louis Dong, Sebastian Gonzales, Naomi Luko, Mateusz Pater, Kintan Silvany

Mission: Generation Music educates underrepresented youth in classical music with a series of interactive workshops and lessons which is completely taught by young people from their musical knowledge.  Through our interactive workshops and lessons, students no matter their background, will have access to music education.

Environmental Emphasis

Christine Lao, Iyana Muhammad, Ariadna Rosas

Mission: Our mission is to educate young people about the mistreatment of the environment due to these large conglomerates.  We hope that with learning this info about these companies the youth can stop or lessen their shopping at these conglomerates.  We want them to find other alternatives with their shopping or use recycled material to help with our mission to help the environment.

Youth Engagement

Kevin Arthur, Chrystie Jean-Baptiste, Jaida Lazarus, James Morton, Christopher Rodriguez

Mission: Our introduction of music to the youth will allow them to find passion and identity through the art form.  We aim to prevent the youth from spending their time dangerously in their community by providing them with opportunities through music so that they can grow as individuals.  As a result, this will foster a greater sense of community and encourage positive behavior.

We could not have asked for a better group of dedicated students to kick off 2020 with. Congratulations, we can’t wait to see what you all accomplish!

We want to send special thanks to our Program Director and Teaching Artist, Susanna Loewy, Teaching Artist Nozomi Imamura, and the Curtis Institute for Music for sharing their space with us.

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Congratulations and Thanks to the Seniors with Project 440

As the school year, Doing Good, and Instruments for Success comes to an end, we want to start by congratulating them on all of their hard work and accomplishments. The students in our programs have gone to school to learn from the amazing teachers in Philadelphia while also taking time after school to learn and prepare for college and their future careers. We have enjoyed spending time with these young leaders and want to thank them for joining us in this learning experience, especially the members of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

YAC consists of alumni of Project 440 programs, the School District of Philadelphia, and other young leaders from throughout the region with a passion for music education. Participants meet monthly and receive leadership, project management, governance and advocacy training. The mission of YAC is to use peer to peer influence to ensure diverse representation in Project 440’s programs and to provide feedback on program content. You can read more about YAC here!

We want to give a special thanks and shoutout to the YAC members for helping us grow and better serve the young people of Philadelphia. Here is the list of graduating seniors:

Chloe Cooper

University of Tampa

Music Education

Claire Casanova

Temple University

Music Education

Malinda Voell

Temple University

Flute Performance

Marquise Bradley

Cleveland Institute of Music

Clarinet Performance

We are very excited to see what each and every one of our seniors accomplishes as they take the next steps in their lives. Congratulations!

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Congratulations to the Doing Good Class of 2019!

We celebrated the 2019 Doing Good Graduation on May 9th and could not have ask for a better night! Doing Good is a 30-week 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. Click here to learn more about Doing Good!

The graduation served as their final project for the program, presenting their community based artistic projects that they have begun to the graduation attendees! This year’s projects were:

T. Arts

Javon miner 

Our plan is to give, inspire, and expose the arts to students who need it to a program that will allow children who attend non-arts schools, to put on a show that includes both film acting and musical theater. They will have time to practice and perform each of their numbers, and get to enjoy the thrill of the dramatic arts.

Center City Chamber Orchestra+ (CCCO+)

Daniel Kim & Justin Williams

We plan to contribute to the Center City Chamber Orchestra - an orchestra created by students, performed by students, and led by students - by creating an educational component to their programming.

Generation Music

Chloe Cooper, Claire Casanova, Nayyirah Wood,

Kintan Silvany & Naomi Lukov

To educate the youth in classical music with a series interactive workshops and lessons through student knowledge of music.

Project Princeps

Jake Richards, Sarah Casanova & Grace Flickinger

To give every child the chance to experience the power of books through musically minded entrepreneurial ventures.

We want to send special thanks to our program director and teaching artist Susanna Loewy, teaching artist Nozomi Imamura, and the Curtis Institute for Music for sharing their space with us.

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Project 440 Student Spotlight: Javon Miner

Meet Project 440 Doing Good student, Javon Miner! Our interview highlights how participating in Project 440 has influenced his outlook on a career in the arts.

Q. Can you tell me about yourself and your relationship with music?

My name is Javon, and I’m an actor from Philadelphia. Even though acting is my main passion, I’ve also dabbled with music. I’ve been playing the drums for awhile now, and I’m currently trying to learn how to play the piano.

Q. How did you hear about Project 440 and what is your involvement with us?

I heard about Project 440 in late 2018. They came to my school to promote it to my class.

Q. I heard that you thought there might be a “catch” to Project 440 providing a stipend to students for completing our programs; after being in Doing Good for a whole year, what is the verdict?

When they told the class that they are willing to pay students who are involved in the program, the first thought in my mind was that there was a catch, but after being in the program I realized that there wasn’t anything suspicious about it. It was straightforward in fact. You had to be there and do the assignments. That’s it. Your attendance and the work you do is counted toward you stipend.

Q. Has participating in Doing Good changed the way you view music and the arts as a career path?

Being apart of the Project 440 program helped me understand that music is not only something that gives people pleasure. It can also be used as medicine. Music can be a way that people cope with problems they may have. It can also be used to convey certain messages and meanings to its audience.

Q. Has Project 440 helped you in pursuing your future goals?

Ms. Susanna is the person who teaches my class alongside Mr. Nozomi. She contacted a friend of hers and and helped set up a meeting for me and her friend to discuss my real-estate interest. After that I was offered an internship with the firm. All thanks to my teacher.

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YAC's "Young Person's Night at the Orchestra" Welcomes Record Number of Youth

Project 440's Youth Advisory Council (YAC), in collaboration with the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, filled the room with over 50 youth from 25 different schools in the Philadelphia area at their second pre-concert mixer event for high school students interested in classical music. 

15 Philadelphia Orchestra musicians stopped by to mingle with the students over sweets and beverages, half of whom had never attended a Philadelphia Orchestra Concert before. 

The soloist for the evening, Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Viola C.J. Chang, also made an appearance to talk to students. We are blown away by YAC's reach and ability to engage peers who may not otherwise attend a concert. Keep up the great work!

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Doing Good Students Pitch Community Based Projects at P440 Shark Tank

After a semester of learning the ins and outs of leadership, social entrepreneurship, and project management, student groups in the 2018-19 cohort of Doing Good presented pitches for their community based projects to a panel consisting of Philadelphia community leaders. 

In addition to projects that have continued from last year's class like Generation Music and Center City Chamber Orchestra, new projects ideas were also pitched:

• Project Princeps - This group’s mission is to give every child the chance to experience the power of books through musically minded entrepreneurial ventures. They plan to accomplish this through putting together a community concert where, in lieu of a ticket, attendees donate a book.

• Generation Music - Founded by 2018 Doing Good graduates, Generation Music is an organization that educates underrepresented youth about classical music to further diversify professional orchestras. Now a fiscally sponsored and award winning organization, they are expanding on their original project through developing an interactive “Night at the Orchestra” workshop, in partnership with Settlement Music School, aimed at introducing young people to different musical instruments.

• Teen Arts: Theater and Film - This group’s mission is to give, inspire, and expose young people from schools without theater or film programs to these art forms. They plan to accomplish this by creating a program that will culminate in small showcase. Participants will have time to practice and perform each of their numbers, and get to enjoy the thrill of the dramatic arts.

• Center City Chamber Orchestra project extension - CCCO was founded by a group of 2018 Doing Good graduates who wanted to brings together a diverse group of student musicians in the Philadelphia area to create a youth-led performing ensemble. This year, they plan to expand on their original project by building out a more formal board and putting together a community performance.

A special thank you the panelists who helped provide valuable feedback to these young entrepreneurs:

• Jenny Neff, The University of the Arts

• Jamaine Smith, CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia

• Christine Witkowski, ArtistYear

• Ami Yares, BuildaBridge International

Interested in supporting the important work that these students are accomplishing in their communities? Your donations will help provide seed money for these projects and allow students to participate in our programming. Click here to contribute!

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Introducing the Youth Advisory Council's new members!

We are very happy to present the new Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members! YAC is a program that uses peer to peer influence to ensure student voices are included in the development of our programs and encourage students to further develop their leadership skills.

YAC includes alumni of Project 440 programs, the School District of Philadelphia, and other young leaders from throughout the region with a passion for music education. This group meets monthly and receives training aimed at developing their leadership skills.

Dotan Yarden, President of YAC, explained “We bring in professionals to present about topics such as event planning, budget, advocacy, and board governance. Many of these skills will benefit us in the years to come as we take on various roles as artists and entrepreneurs.”

The addition of YAC helps us to connect with new students and continue directly working with alumni of our previous programs. By teaching and working together with these students, we can help them continue to grow into their full potential. Yarden added “Real-time student feedback enables Project 440 to continuously evolve to best serve the needs of its students.” By listening and working with these young leaders, we will be able to continue growing and offering the best opportunities, skills and tools that current and future students need to succeed.

Click here for a list of all the new members of the Youth Advisory Council!

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