Meet Project 440 Bloomberg arts Intern: Naja Johnson

We introduced you to Ricando Davis, a rising senior at Cheltenham High School and one of two Bloomberg Arts Interns working at Project 440 this summer, in our last blog post. Ricando interviewed Naja Johnson, a rising senior at Science Leadership Academy Center City and Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) participant, to learn what moves her and motivated her to work at Project 440. Keep reading to get to know Naja!

Naja Johnson

Ricando (R): What are you looking forward to the most in the internship? Naja (N): Meeting people or seeing new people. I like the thought of seeing new people and doing new things, I also look forward to meeting with creative directors to see if this is a job, I see myself possibly doing in the future.

R: What motivates you? N: My cats; My dad; My will to live; the fact that I have gotten everything I wanted with honest work;I know that anything that I want or have wanted in this world I got it. Motivation comes easy when there’s something new to accomplish and learn everyday.

R: What's your favorite trait about yourself, and how has it helped you to overcome difficulties in the past and or present? N: My resilience. I have been thrown under tons and tons of times in the past. I’ve had my fair share of bad days, but there's just something in me that can’t stop my drive more or less to say.

R: Why did you choose to apply to the Bloomberg Arts Internship program?  N: Aside from that it is a paid internship, just the overall opportunity to work at any theater, music organization or museum in Philadelphia. It’s one thing to visit these places and enjoy it as a visitor but it’s another to see the archives and live and breathe the air of the art. It’s just a…dream and scores me some cool points from time to time.

R: What's one thing you like about Project 440? N: Generation Music (a current Doing Good II project). I do agree that the only reason some people can further progress their skills is because of economic strengths. With Generation Music, it is and pushes the opposite. It gives kids like me the opportunity to be on stages, possibly go to camps. I think the connections and meaning of Generation Music is very inspiring and powerful.

R: What is one thing you would like to learn more about this summer with Project 440? N: I want a wide view of the pyramid of the team and what everyone does to make the wheels turn.

R: How has music/art impacted your life?  N: It gave me a way to express how I feel. Sad? There’s songs for it. Happy? Tons of songs praising the sun. Angry? Music is sort of a coping mechanism and that’s such a positive thing in my opinion.

R: Favorite stress food? N: It really depends. I like to stress eat mangos, Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly or just plain toast with jelly, and sometimes Ruffles. But when I'm really, really stressed, eating doesn't come naturally for me. 

R: Favorite type of art and how does it make you feel? N: I prefer and love any art from the Renaissance era, the houses they built, the music they've made, the clothes they would wear? All beautiful art.

R: Do you think people who work in different art fields are underappreciated and why?  N: Depends. Are they a jack of all trades but master of none? Are they confident in themselves enough to present their art? I believe that they shouldn’t be underappreciated if they are versatile enough to switch from style to style with or without effort; that in itself makes me appreciate them. 

Meet Project 440's Bloomberg Arts Intern: Ricando Davis

This summer, Project 440 is one of 17 Philadelphia cultural organizations participating in the Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) program supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The program helps young people develop the skills they need by providing students in Baltimore, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. with work experience at select cultural institutions, as well as work-readiness and college-preparation training. We are thrilled to have Naja Johnson and Ricando Davis join us as summer interns. Naja and Ricando had the opportunity to interview each other earlier this month. Continue reading to learn more about Ricando, and be sure to check out our next blog post to get to know Naja!

Ricando Davis

Naja (N): What’s your regular halal order? Ricando (R): I don’t really eat halal food, but the first time I had it I had lamb and rice and it was good. 

N: What made you want to join BAI? R: I love music, especially the arts, and when looking for something to do this summer I wanted to work at a place that shared the same interest as me. Another reason why I wanted to join BAI is because of their mission to allow young people in the Philadelphia School District to create and formulate different ways to spread art in Philadelphia.

N: What piece of music do you consider a timeless piece? R: The Chariot Jubilee by Nathaniel Dett

N: Do you think we should always associate the art with the artist?

R: When I think of art, I think of it as an activity that people use to express their deepest feelings, emotions, and or desires, so I do think we should always associate the art with the artist. Art is honest and pure, and if you create a piece that is not you, is it really “Art” in a sense?

N: How would you describe the feeling of your first musical performance? How could you compare then from now? R: For my first musical performance, I felt free and felt like whatever I was going through and/or whatever I have been through was non-existent. My first performance allowed me to realize that music could be a way to heal and escape from my problems and adversities. And even to this day I feel the same way, and that feeling never gets old. 

N: In your ideal perfect day, do you see yourself practicing or thinking of your art? What comes to mind? R: Yes, I do. I see myself playing the keyboard and singing whatever comes to my mind, or sometimes I see myself performing on the Grammy stage. 

N: If you were stranded on an island today what ways would you try to stay sane? R: Definitely sing a song and/or find different objects to make musical items.

N: Describe a time when you felt as though you were the elephant in the room. R: My first time taking an AP class at my high school. Walking into that room and being surrounded by people who did not look like me and did not share the same experiences made me feel out of place. 

N: What are 3 items you would put in a time capsule? R: My certificates, pictures of my younger self, and a piece of my favorite cake (lol).

N: What is one of the biggest challenges you still face today? Do you find ways to cope? R: My biggest challenge that I still face today is not being patient with myself. I have this mindset that I am supposed to get everything fast and quick, and when I don’t, I beat myself up. But with time, I have learned and have been trying to internalize that patience is key. My way of coping is taking deep breaths whenever I become flustered and reminding myself that I am not perfect. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

Please join us in wishing our high school graduating Youth Advocacy Council (YAC) members and Project 440 alumni a huge CONGRATULATIONS! Additionally, we are pleased to announce that Sebastian Gonzales is the 2022 recipient of a full-tuition scholarship from the Manhattan School of Music reserved annually for one Project 440 alumna/us. We are incredibly proud of our students, of all that they have accomplished, and can’t wait to follow what amazing things they will continue to do in their new communities. Continue reading to see what our students’ post-high school plans are!

Sebastian Gonzales is the second Project 440 alumnus to receive a full-tuition scholarship to Manhattan School of Music (MSM) where he will be studying oboe with Sherry Sylar, Associate Principal Oboe with the New York Philharmonic, this coming fall. Sebastian is a graduate of Central High School and has participated in Doing Good. Sebastian says of his experience with Project 440, “Participating in Doing Good taught me how to lead and work with others, which not only helped in school, but also in the realm of music. The skills I learned in Doing Good aided my sense of ensemble and leadership skills within orchestras and chamber groups. I also learned communication skills that helped me to start building a reputation as a reliable musician, which allowed me to start getting gigs this year. I would recommend Project 440 to every eligible student!”

Maria Karakousis is a pianist and harpist and one of three YAC students who graduated this month. Maria also served as YAC’s Youth Board Representative to Project 440’s Board of Directors this past year. A graduate of J.R. Masterman High School, she will be attending Princeton University in the fall where she intends to major in Molecular Biology. “My favorite P440 memories have centered around collaborating with YAC to bring the “Music in Color” program to aspiring musicians in Philadelphia and beyond.”

Ronnell Williams is a cellist and a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts who served on YAC. Ronnell will be attending West Chester University where he hopes to major in Psychology. 

Ryan Williams is a violinist who served on YAC and also graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. Ryan will be attending West Chester University along with his twin brother Ronnell where he hopes to pursue his interest in Early Education.

Chanah Nielsen is a harpist who is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls. Chanah will be attending the Community College of Philadelphia with a focus on political science and international relations where she hopes to pursue her interest in relief work and foreign relations. “I will keep music involved in my life because it has helped me so much! I also want to continue my studies in Mandarin because I love the language and hope to incorporate it into my career.” 

We also wish Vicki Lin, Doing Good alumna, congratulations on her graduation from Horace Howard Furness High School.

To all of our Project 440’s 2022 graduates, thank you for being a part of the Project 440 family. We are so grateful for all that you have contributed to the Philadelphia community and hope that you will use the tools you have learned in our programs to find success in whatever you choose to pursue!

College Fair for Musicians Returns June 4 to the Kimmel Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rebecca Bolden, 215-680-5247

rbolden@project440.org

THE PROJECT 440 COLLEGE FAIR FOR MUSICIANS RETURNS FOR THE FIRST IN-PERSON FAIR SINCE 2019 TO THE KIMMEL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ON JUNE 4 

Featuring admissions representatives from 40 colleges, universities, and conservatories nationwide and College & Career Readiness workshops led by industry experts including two-time Grammy winner Bernard “TreWay” Lambert & Socrates Villegas clarinetist with The Philadelphia Orchestra

Philadelphia, PA (May 23, 2022) – Today, Project 440 announced the Exhibitors and program for its 5th annual College Fair for Musicians to be held on Saturday, June 4 from 10am to 4pm at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The College Fair is for students, parents, educators, and anyone who has music as part of their life, wants to learn about opportunities to study and participate in music in college, or know more in general about attending college. 

Attendees will get one-on-one facetime with music school and admissions representatives from over 40 colleges, universities, conservatories, and music education organizations from throughout the country during the Exhibitor session from 1 to 3 pm. Bradley Whittemore, Director of Admissions at Ithaca College says, “I can't wait to be back at this year's Project 440 Fair! I've really missed this event in recent seasons and look forward to returning.” Admissions Counselor Olivia Orlando says, “Rider University is motivated to participate in and support Project 440’s College Fair because we want to make sure to share what Rider has to offer with students in our area and beyond.”

Participating schools from the Delaware Valley include Curtis Institute of Music, Eastern University, Rider University, Rutgers University, Temple University, University of the Arts, University of Delaware, and West Chester University. Schools from beyond the region include Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Cleveland Institute of Music, Florida State University, The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, and University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. A complete list of College Fair Exhibitors is available at https://project440.org/college-fair. 

Prior to and following the Exhibitor session, all attendees will have access to Project 440’s College & Career readiness workshops featuring a range of industry professionals including Dr. Chandra Williams, Vice President, Community Manager, JP Morgan Chase who will give a workshop on credit basics, budgeting and savings, and Project 440’s resident college expert, Cigus Vanni, AKA “The College Fairy” who will review all aspects of Financial Aid. Socrates Villegas, clarinetist with The Philadelphia Orchestra will discuss college auditioning, and North Philadelphia native Bernard “TreWay” Lambert, Drummer & Musical Director for artists including Future, Meek Mill, Bebe Rexha, and Floetry will share his career path. 

The complete schedule of workshops includes:

• Current College Student Panel: “What I Wish I Knew” featuring Project 440 alumni, 10 and 11am

• Recording Yourself with Your Own Equipment with Clark Connor of Weston Sound, 10 and 11am

• Budgeting and Saving for College Students with Dr. Chandra Williams, vice president community manager, JP Morgan Chase, 10 and 11am

• College Auditioning: “What you need to Know” with Socrates Villegas, Second Clarinet of The Philadelphia Orchestra, 12 and 3pm

• Financial Aid for Musicians with Cigus Vanni, “The College Fairy,” 12 and 3pm

• My Career Path with two-time Grammy Award winning drummer and entrepreneur, Bernard "TreWay" Lambert, 12pm and 3 pm

The day concludes with a raffle featuring tickets to The Philadelphia Orchestra, 76ers, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Longwood Gardens, the Philadelphia Ballet, a Wawa gift basket, and more. The Project 440 College Fair for Musicians is co-presented by the Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY) Artists’ Initiative with additional support provided by the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Admission to the College Fair and access to the workshops is free for all attendees, advance registration is strongly encouraged. Learn more and register at project440.org/college-fair. 

ABOUT PROJECT 440:

The mission of Project 440 is to teach young people to use their interest in music to forge new pathways for themselves and ignite change in their communities. Project 440 refers to the 440Hz "tuning A" of an orchestra usually by the oboe, just as the oboe leads an orchestra with the 440 Hz pitch, Project 440 students are learning to be 21st Century leaders. Programmatically, Project 440 has developed a comprehensive curriculum which uses music as a tool to teach young people the life skills they need to thrive regardless of the career path they choose. Project 440’s core programs are: 

Doing Good : An intensive, 25-session afterschool program that teaches young musicians the basics of leadership, entrepreneurship, and service. Students demonstrate these new skills in a cumulative final project during which they organize their own community-based service projects. 

Instruments for Success: A 10-week, afterschool program that covers every aspect of the college admissions process, including how to find the right college, effective essay writing, audition and interview preparation, and more.

Youth Advocacy Council: The Youth Advocacy Council consists of program alumni, students from the School District of Philadelphia, and other young leaders from throughout the region. Participants receive leadership, project management, governance, and advocacy training and utilize these skills to produce student driven programs including Music in Color featuring diverse voices in professional music 

Download press release.

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Ask Me Anything with Cigus "The College Fairy"

Cigus Vanni AKA “The College Fairy” is Project 440’s college specialist and Instruments for Success Lead Teaching Artist. He has more than 40 years of experience in college search and selection including as a college admissions counselor, school counselor, and school psychologist. Cigus is the first member of his family to attend college, earning his BA from Swarthmore College and certification in school psychology from Bryn Mawr College. Cigus is also a five-time winner and undefeated Jeopardy! champion—he knows a lot of stuff! 

This month, Cigus answers three more questions about the college application process. Look for the next edition of “Ask Me Anything” with Cigus in our May e-newsletter, and be sure to visit Cigus at his table at the College Fair for Musicians on Saturday, June 4 at the Kimmel Center to ask him anything you want to know about the college admissions process!

Q: Should I visit each college where I apply? 

Ideally, yes, you should visit as the experience of being on campus may provide significant information—both cognitive and emotional—about whether that school is right for you. This may be unfeasible because of time or monetary constraints but one may get a meaningful sense of a given college by accessing virtual tours, info sessions and webinars on the school’s website.

Q: How important is my college essay?

An essay should be genuine, display self-awareness, show insight and provide a meaningful story about what an applicant believes is important enough to serve as a representation of their real self. It can provide a college with important cues about whether an individual fits that school’s vibe and mission. The essay is also a vehicle by which an applicant can share what obstacles they might have overcome to get through high school, although there should be no pressure on a student to relive trauma. Academic rigor and grades are generally more important than one’s essay.

Q: If I am applying to study music, do I have to visit the college to play my audition? 

With the pandemic easing, the answer is probably yes. Many colleges were conducting auditions online but that is likely to change. There are, however, some schools that will conduct auditions on a regional basis which may mean that they will be in or close to your home city.

One more Bonus Question:

Q: I am a senior in college. Is it too late to apply?

No—you can apply to any community college up until the week that fall classes begin and there are some four-year colleges that also accept applications in this timeframe. 

Leadership Spotlight: Meet Executive Director, Rebecca Bolden

Rebecca Bolden started working as Project 440’s first full-time Executive Director in January, and she has been busy learning the ins and outs of the organization. She recently answered a few questions so that we could get to know her. Read about Rebecca’s connection to music, what excites her the most about working for Project 440, and some advice on college and career planning she would give to her high school self in this blog post.

Q: What excites you most about being Project 440’s first full-time executive director?

What excites me about leading Project 440 is the passion that everyone involved, from our students and partners to our donors, have for our mission and the collective commitment to providing young people with opportunities to forge new pathways for themselves and ignite change in their communities. After presenting our programs virtually for the past two years, we are planning a return to in-person classes in the fall. I am excited to collaborate with our Board of Directors, staff and Teaching Artists, and partner with Joseph Conyers, our Founder & Vision Advisor, to engage more students in our work. 

Over the past two years, we have developed partnerships with the Bucks County Youth Orchestra, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, to name a few. These partnerships have underscored the power of our mission, the reach of our creative youth development programs, and the importance of teaching 21st century life skills to our next generation of leaders. We know that participating in our programs including Instruments for Success and Doing Good can change a young person’s life. Project 440 is committed to welcoming students who have varied interests in music and represent all genres and skill levels. I am most excited to ensure that more students know Project 440 is a place for them and to make our programs accessible to all Philadelphia high school students. 

Q: What is your personal connection to music and/or the creative arts?

Music has always been an important part of my life. My parents introduced me to music, and I was fortunate to be able to attend live performances beginning at a very young age. A few of my earliest and fondest memories of attending live performances include a production of South Pacific at the Myrtle Beach Hilton and The Philadelphia Orchestra’s family concerts at the Academy of Music and summer concerts at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. I sang in choir throughout my education beginning in elementary school and studied voice in college and after college. As a child, I also studied piano with a neighbor who was a wonderful and very patient teacher! 

I live in South Philadelphia and love that I am within walking distance and can easily attend live music and theater performances. I am happy to be able to attend live performances again, and most recently attended The Philadelphia Orchestra’s performance of The Hours and the All-City Philadelphia High School Music Festival featuring many Project 440 students past and present.

Q: If you could give any advice to your high school self with regards to college applications and/or career choices, what would it be? 

Hmm… that’s a great question. I definitely had anxiety about applying to and being accepted to college. My brother gave me some good advice. He said that while academics and what I study are of course a significant aspect of college, it is not the only important factor in deciding where to go to college. That advice helped me to broaden my thinking about what I wanted out of my college experience. I loved music and hoped to study voice, and although I was not on a path to attend a conservatory, it was important for me to be able to participate in music in college.

I grew up in the Philadelphia area and was fortunate to be able to go away to college and attend Clark University in Worcester Massachusetts. Clark is a small university, and I was able to study voice and also pursue a liberal arts education—two of my favorite non-music classes were comparative politics and a video production course. I was originally hoping to attend college in Boston, but after visiting Clark, I decided it was the right place for me, and Boston was less than an hour away. Good thing I visited in the warmer weather. I may not have gone there if I visited during a typical wintery Worcester day.

I would reiterate Cigus’s advice to do a thorough self-appraisal of what is important to you, and I would invite all of our Project 440 students to attend the College Fair on June 4! 

Ask Me Anything with Cigus “The College Fairy”: how to begin the college search process

Cigus Vanni AKA “The College Fairy” is Project 440’s college specialist and Instruments for Success Lead Teaching Artist. He has more than 40 years of experience in college search and selection including as a college admissions counselor, school counselor, and school psychologist. Cigus is the first member of his family to attend college, earning his BA from Swarthmore College and certification in school psychology from Bryn Mawr College. Cigus is also a five-time winner and undefeated Jeopardy! champion—he knows a lot of stuff!

This month, Cigus answers three questions about how to begin the college search process.  

Q: What would you advise a student who has no idea where they want to go to college? Where should they begin?

A: Begin with a thorough self-appraisal and ask yourself three questions: What do I like to do? What do I want to do? What can I do? Move from here to core values that you hold about people, education, social connections and professional goals; once you have some clarity here, start your college search at a reputable website such as The College Board or College Navigator, and seek advice from a teacher, advisor, or counselor if you can.

Q: Do students have to take the SAT or ACT to get into college?

A: Maybe… More than 80% of four-year colleges in the US are test optional, and 59  of these schools are test-blind—meaning that they do not consider test scores at all. In many cases, however, submitting test results could enhance one’s standing as an applicant. My best advice? Unless you are certain you will be attending a test-optional school and are comfortable not taking the ACT or SAT, take your best shot at one of these at least and see how you do. You own your test results, so you would not be compelled to share or reveal these with any college if you do not fare up to your expectations.

Q: How do I know if I qualify for Financial Aid?

A: Unless you are fortunate enough to have access to a substantial income and or set of assets, you are likely to qualify for some financial aid. However, financial aid does not come automatically,—there is an application called the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) that every college requires and several additional forms that may be requested by a specific college. The FASFA application opens on October 1 of each school year. I would recommend that you apply as early as you can and no later than February 1. 

One more Bonus question…

Q: What’s your advice for students who may not be ready to go to college after they graduate high school? Are there other pathways or educational opportunities available?

A: Yes—and there is an abundance of options such as employment, military service, or community service. Alternative educational opportunities include apprenticeships for trades, vocational education, and online certifications in such areas as computer science and information technology, and project management.  

Check our April e-newsletter to read more of Ask Me Anything with Cigus "The College Fairy" and be sure to visit Cigus at his table at the College Fair for Musicians on Saturday, June 4 at the Kimmel Center.

introducing doing good class of 2021 community projects

This past December, we celebrated the 2021 class of Doing Good! Doing Good is a 25-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 based project under the guidance of Project 440 staff and teaching artists.

This cohort’s projects addressed social issues around mental health/wellbeing, homelessness, music education funding, and neighborhood beautification. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our students were able to navigate virtual collaboration and teamwork to make their visions come to fruition. We are proud of the resilience and hard work put in by each member of this graduating class!

Rave Trio Benefit Project

Devin Casas, Joseph Castro, Grace Opong

Mission: Our project Rave Trio Benefit Project helps to grow middle and high school music programs. We perform as a trio in order to raise awareness about the struggling music programs in Philadelphia and raise money to donate to these programs. In addition, we help to create sustaining solutions for growing the music programs.

Healthy helpers

Meko Watson, Kaiya Brabham, Anisah Hedgespeth

Mission: Every two months, Healthy Helpers plans to help out the fellow people of this city by visiting neighborhoods and organizing locals of the neighborhood to help pick up trash, pull weeds, etc. to make the neighborhood look as clean and liveable as possible. As a reward for everyone’s hard work, we play a free outdoor concert.

hats organization

Raymond Lin, Vicki Lin

Mission: HATS Organization supports people who are homeless by sharing Chinese traditional classical music and raising funds.

Music for mental health

Hajra Kahn, Aqsa Kahn

Mission: Music for Mental Health provides high quality music therapy services to students in grades 6 to 12 with mental health issues.

Tranquillo

Jordon Rosh, Mandy Jiang, Maya Lindsey

Mission: Tranquillo works to descrease the stress levels of the younger generation through low-stress study spaces and informal performance opportunities.

PROJECT 440 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNOUNCES NEW ROLE FOR JOSEPH CONYERS AND NAMES new EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Joseph Conyers assumes his new role of Founder & Vision Advisor; Rebecca Bolden appointed Executive Director

Philadelphia, PA (Tuesday, January 18, 2022) — Today Project 440’s Board of Directors announced Founder and Executive Director Joseph Conyers has assumed a newly created leadership role of Founder & Vision Advisor and that it has appointed Rebecca Bolden, an experienced nonprofit leader, its first full-time Executive Director. Together, alongside the Board of Directors, they will continue to expand the reach and impact of Project 440’s growing internationally acclaimed youth development programs for high school musicians. 

As the Founder & Vision Advisor, Joseph Conyers will inform the organization’s vision and strategic direction. An internationally recognized musician and educator, he will serve as the lead ambassador for Project 440’s vision to provide every young person with the opportunity and tools for individual growth and community impact through music. Joseph is also Assistant Principal Bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Tobey and Mark Dichter Chair, sits on the double bass faculty of The Juilliard School and Temple University, is Music Director of The School District of Philadelphia’s The All City Orchestra, and the Music Director of the Young Artists Orchestra, Boston University Tanglewood Institute. 

Mary Javian and Megan Speight, Co-Chairs of Project 440’s Board of Directors share, “We are delighted to welcome Rebecca Bolden as our new Executive Director and are so proud of the success of our students as well as the legacy that Joseph Conyers has created. Joseph’s new role will enable him to continue to represent Project 440 in Philadelphia, across the country and around the world as he helps spread the news of Project 440’s successes and make new connections with artists and entrepreneurs who align with our mission.”

Joseph Conyers says of his new role and Rebecca Bolden’s appointment, “For 15 years, Project 440 has been a labor of love. In that time, we've established ourselves as a respected organization of international repute. This new role will allow me to augment my complementary responsibilities as an educator, youth advocate, and performer to support Project 440’s continued growth. I'm so grateful to the Board of Directors and staff for working so diligently in stewarding this transition, and after an extensive and competitive national search, I could not be more thrilled to welcome Rebecca Bolden to the Project 440 family as our new full-time executive director. Rebecca possesses the qualities and experience to help take our organization to the next level, and I look forward to working with her to grow Project 440 in a way that reaches more young people than ever before."

Rebecca Bolden has held many leadership positions in Philadelphia’s nonprofit cultural sector. She most recently served as the Senior Director of Development at the National Constitution Center where she increased support for its education programs and exhibitions including the significant expansion of its nationally recognized youth education programs. “I am honored to join Project 440 and work with Joseph and the Board of Directors to build on the organization’s success and increase its impact at a time when providing young musicians with the tools and life skills they need to thrive is even more critical.”

Download the press release.

Youth Board Representative Spotlight: Maria Karakousis

Meet Maria Karakousis, the Youth Advocacy Council (YAC)’s newly elected Youth Board Representative to the Project 440 Board of Directors! Maria participated in Project 440: Online and is currently in her second year of serving on YAC. Between her academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, she was able to find some time to speak to us about her interests, aspirations for YAC, and insights for youth interested in finding an outlet for their passions in a meaningful and productive way.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? What do you like to do outside of Project 440?

Maria practicing her concerto for the All-City Concerto Competition last year. “I had so much fun and won an honorable mention.”

I am a senior attending J.R. Masterman High School. I love running, learning about and conducting scientific research, volunteering in education and environmental conservancy, and of course, playing my instruments, piano and harp through the Glissando free harp education program. I also enjoy reading and performing poetry.

Q. How did you get involved with Project 440? What drew you to this organization?

I first learned about Project 440 when I received notification of my acceptance to the 2020 All-City Orchestra Summer Academy. I noticed Project 440 among its listed partner organizations and, intrigued by the name, decided to investigate the 440 website. I was struck and inspired by the Project 440 vision: essentially, to impact positive social change through the transformative power of music. I applied to and participated in Project 440: Online that summer and loved every class in those six weeks. I remember feeling so excited when, very soon after graduating from the program, I received an email invitation to join YAC. I understood this to be an opportunity to carry forward the lessons in youth leadership and social justice advocacy (and more broadly, the Project 440 mission), which I had learned and in which I had gained experience throughout the summer.

Q: This is your second year participating in YAC. What are some learning points from last year? What do you hope to do differently?

Our overall aim remains the same: to foster greater inclusion and positive community change through our own leadership and our collaboration with organization officials, professional musicians, and other youth who are passionate about the Project 440 mission. Though we are very proud of and grateful for the success of our Music in Color series in its inaugural year, this year, we seek to broaden the reach of our program to engage more people in important, insightful discussions regarding increasing equity in music professions. We plan to build a national participant base from the Project 440 alumni network, as well as diversify the music genres represented amongst our panelists. We also hope to be able to meet in person at some point during this school year!

Maria representing JEVS Human Services at a resource fair for public housing residents in West Philadelphia.

Q: You now have two incredible Teaching Artists leading YAC! Is there anything that you hope to learn from them in this new school year?

I know that anything Ms. Sam and Ms. Melissa teach will prove useful to our work and lives in some way, so I am ready to again absorb and apply all that I learn from them. YAC is extremely fortunate to have such knowledgeable, nurturing mentors as we strive to implement their teaching to impact positive change.

Q: There are many sources of stress for young people these days, whether it be the effects of the pandemic, social justice issues, or climate change. Do you have any words of wisdom to share with other youth who may be looking for a way to deal with stress or find an outlet for their emotions?

Though feelings of stress, frustration, outrage, and anxiety for the future are entirely understandable, do not let these emotions paralyze you into inaction. Realize that you - regardless of your age - have the power to change the world by at least advancing solutions to the issues that matter to you. Taking each day and each of your activities as a serious opportunity to make a positive impact in some way provides a constant and truly fulfilling outlet for your emotions. Also, keep in mind that you must help yourself in order to help others. Find the things you love doing - that bring you real joy - and manage your time so that you can do them consistently.

Maria hiking in Kinzua Bridge State Park.