2015 Scholarships – We are all winners!

This post was written by Dr. Krystal Banfield, Dean, Berklee City Music

“We all sat around the computer awaiting the answer! When I opened the college scholarship computer portal and saw that I was awarded a college scholarship! My entire family burst into tears. I had received the City Music full tuition college scholarship. Thank you! ”

This was shared by one of our City Music students having just received a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music. The African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child,” is true. We all have had some influence on our students, which has contributed to their success. Yet, how can we know success, if the evidence does not arrive in the way of a scholarship? These are questions we readily ask as we prepare our students by building their skills and guiding them so that they would have the capability to attain choices—to pursue their dreams, to be leaders in their communities, to have purpose, to be responsible, to have the ability to enrich their own lives and the lives of others. In doing so, we know it takes being committed to a concentric circle that includes you, your students and their families, their teachers, schools and the greater communities. But how can we create this for more of our students who by national statistics still fall far behind their more advantaged peers? It is possible to leverage our relationships collectively, to share what works, and be determined in our efforts as we look to endeavor earlier preparation for each student. Let us establish a national dialogue, with a goal to create a consistent standard that provides opportunities for each student who joins our community. But, first let’s celebrate our next cohort of 2015 scholarship awardees!

15 – Awarded City Music College Scholarships
Camden Repertory Theater
Campus Club Milledgeville
City Music Boston
Cleveland Music Settlement
East Bay Center-Performing Arts
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center
Phoenix Conservatory of Music
Project RYTMO
Richmond Youth Jazz Guild
Stax Music Academy

120 – City Music Summer Scholarships
2xSalt Ministry
A Place Called Home
Bahama Village Music Program
Boys & Girls Harbor
Camden Repertory Theater
Campus Club Milledgeville
City Music Boston
Cleveland Music Settlement
East Bay Center-Performing Arts
Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina
Fort Hayes Metro Education Center
Jazz Aspen Snowmass
Lincoln Park Perform Arts Center
Motivational Edge
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
One World
Philadelphia Clef Club
Phoenix Conservatory of Music
Project RYTMO
Richmond Youth Jazz Guild
Sarah McLachlan School of Music
Sitar Center
Stax Music Academy
Tipitina’s Foundation
Wilmington Youth Jazz Band
Woodlawn Musical Arts/Audiostate 55

2014 College Scholarship Recipients with emcee Kiki Haynes, Walter McCarty, Berklee President Roger Brown, Associate Vice President for Education Outreach J. Curtis Warner, and Dean of City Music Krystal Banfield

RYTMO Raises Funds with Benefit Concert

Joey Arreguin (Executive Director of Project RYTMO) and RTYMO Students

Jazz legends Abe Laboriel, Justo Almario (Berklee Alumni), Greg Mathieson, and Bill Maxwell of “Open Hands” brought down the house at the Project RYTMO’s Jazz Generations Benefit Concert.

Students Isai Moran and Stephanie Burritt ,who will be attending this year’s Berklee’s 5-week Summer Performance Program, performed with an all-star group of pro session players including Brazilian composer and arranger Rique Pantoja (Berklee Alumni), Mark Vincent, Hussain Jiffry and Larry Mitchell.  Background vocals were provided by Angie Fisher (Mary J. Blige, Dancing with The Stars, American Idol) and Brandon Winbush (Justin Bieber).

The evening culminated with a new arrangement of the 1987 hit song “Rise” (Herb Albert/A&M Records), with RYTMO students interjecting hip hop lyrics and vocals along with the song’s original bassist, Abraham Laboriel.   We are happy to announce that Project RYTMO met their fundraising goal.  A very special thanks to all the donors and supporters for their help.

Cellist and Project RYTMO student Stephanie Burritt

Mike Anderson (Executive Vice President of Project RYTMO) and RYTMO Student

RYTMO Recognized by Anaheim City Council

The RYTMO Team with the Anaheim City Council

In a recent city council meeting in Anaheim, California, Berklee City Music member organization, RYTMO, was recognized for their “commitment to provide a challenging curriculum for talented youth who aspire to have a career in the field of music.”

RYTMO [ Reaching Youth Through Music Opportunities] is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, empowering and equipping youth through music, technology and the arts.

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