The MusicLink Foundation continues to enjoy a successful and eventful 30th anniversary year. MusicLink received generous contributions in response to our Annual Report that shares our accomplishments with donors, teachers, coordinators and interested music lovers. This issue will spotlight the generosity of our donors with our thanks for sharing our mission to bring music into the lives of children in need. We also honor our Hall of Fame teachers - the real heroes of MusicLink!

Every day we edge closer to reaching our goal of an overall student total of 8,000 by the end of the school year. As of Feb. 1st, we have reached 7,915 students. We are SO CLOSE with only 85 new students to add in the next few months. We encourage colleagues to register students they are currently teaching at a discount (50% or less of normal fee) so they can take advantage of MusicLink discounts, teacher reimbursement, and student camp scholarships. We know there are many teachers across the country who have been teaching some students at a discount because they share our MusicLink philosophy of bringing music lessons to students in financial need. Please spread the word, and if you are reading this and realize "that's me," join us! Here is the link for you - MusicLink Foundation.

Thanks to All of our Donors

The teachers, students, and coordinators appreciate all who support MusicLink in all different ways - from sending donations by check, online from the website, to participating in Playathons and enjoying studio Promise to Practice events.

The MusicLink Foundation monitors every donation it receives and provides a running total on our website home page thermometer. Our annual goal was to reach $100,000 from Feb. 2022 to Feb. 2023. We raised $87,812 as of Feb l, 2023 of this year, an impressive total.

There was an increase in individual amounts from donors, with contributions of $100 to $500 or more totaling $13,250, more than double last year's total. Major individual support included $2,000 from Lindsay Reine (MN), $1,200 from Jessica Sivick,$1,000 donations from the Fairfax Loudoun Music Fellowship, (VA), Sanjit Mohapatra, Terry Rowe (MN) and Martha Smith (FL). Bimonthly donations of $200 by Duet Partner totaled $800 this year.

Foundation support included $10,000 National Philanthropic Trust, $5,000 from the Louise P. Zanar Fund, $3,000 from the Kanter Kallman Foundation, $2,000 from the Mattlin Foundation, $1,000 from the Booz Allen Hamilton and a recurring monthly donation of $500 from the Rezendes Family Foundation totaling $5,000.

The MusicLink Foundation received Benefactor donations of $10,000 from Bill and Brigid Brakefield (VA) and William Haroutounian (VA). Rosemary Christoff Dolan contributed $5,000 to the Gerald Christoff Endowment Fund and Joanne Haroutounian donated $3,000 to the Bridge Endowment Fund.

The Piece Chain Project
- Sanders Piano Studio

This year I decided to create a very simple motivational program for my students. After Halloween I told students that for every piece that they learned well enough to play through fluidly they could add a link to a chain in the studio. The chain was made of colorful construction paper and our collective goal was to get it to reach from behind the piano to the red curtain on the opposite side of the room. I told students I had never done this before, and I really didn't know if we would be able to make it all the way to the red curtain. Students were incredibly motivated. They came in each week with one or more short pieces they had been assigned and couldn't wait to play for me so they could add a link to the chain. Once a piece was played successfully, they would write their name and the name of the piece on a strip of construction paper and add it to the chain. The students were very excited and we were making great progress.

That's when I had the idea to link this challenge to some kind of fundraiser. It seemed logical that generating music should lead to generating more music. What better way to help students appreciate the value of their music lessons than to raise money for students that may not be able to afford that same opportunity without organizations such as the MusicLink Foundation to help them out. I asked parents to donate what they could and set out a small box for them to leave their donations. Altogether students learned 114 pieces (we made it past the red curtain!) and we collected a total of $158. This was a fantastic collective effort that really led to a lot of learning and motivated excited students.

We are grateful to MusicLink for all they do to help put more music into the world!

Melodiously,
The Sanders Piano Studio
Portland, Oregon

Analise Healy - MusicLink
Charleston Marketing Director

My name is Analise Healy and I am so excited to be partnering with MusicLink to help underprivileged children access music education in the state of South Carolina. I am 22 years old and from Buffalo, New York. I attended The State University of New York at Fredonia and graduated this past May as a double major in Music Business and Audio/Radio Production. I have been fortunate enough to have played the viola since fourth grade as the opportunity to study band or orchestra was offered throughout my school district. Learning viola became a launching pad for all of my future success. I taught myself how to play guitar and piano, have won musical awards, and have been a part of audition-required ensembles. My love of music encouraged me to study the music business and take part in volunteer efforts like these, to give children the same opportunities that I had growing up. As summer came to an end, I made the decision to move to Charleston, South Carolina to start fresh and find new opportunities to grow. I currently work as an Account Coordinator at Momentum Marketing Agency and spend my free time exploring Charleston! This upcoming March, I will be competing in Miss South Carolina USA 2023. My main initiative is to inform people that music education is crucial to the growth and success of our youth. It is my goal to spread awareness throughout the state of South Carolina, as music programs within school districts are scarce due to financial constraints. It is my goal to be the liaison between MusicLink and the children that lack the resources to access opportunities like this. I truly appreciate the opportunity to join forces and make a difference. I am excited about the future!

MusicLink Upcoming Events

The Minnesota MusicLink Playathon dates are February 18-19 this year and it promises to be a full weekend of performances of all kinds. It will be in the Macy's Court of the Mall of America. Performances will be organized by Sue Wege, MusicLink National Director, as well as Kathryn Karg, who will schedule the emcees for the weekend.

The MusicLink Foundation will have a booth at the MTNA convention in Reno, Nevada from March 26th to 28th. We plan to reach out to teachers in Nevada and surrounding states to join MusicLink.

New MusicLink Teachers

We welcome the following 14 teachers who became active MusicLink teachers over the past few months. This brings the total of active teachers to 215 with our overall total being 4406.

The MusicLink Foundation prides itself on the many positive reviews it receives on GreatNonprofits.org. The Foundation has received the Top-Rated Nonprofit badge for the last 10 consecutive years. We hope you can take a few moments to add your comments about MusicLink on their website:

MusicLink Hall of Fame Recognition

MusicLink relies on the dedication and generosity of our MusicLink teachers who reach out to deserving students and share their love for music for many years through ongoing lessons. These teachers represent the finest examples of caring music teachers who truly make a difference in the lives of MusicLink students.

Teacher Laureate: 20 Years

MusicLink is proud to honor three teachers who have reached this 20-year milestone.

Cora Lee Khambatta of Arlington, Virginia, having retired as Orff Schulwerk music teacher from the Arlington Public Schools (2001), and having founded an Arlington Spanish Chorus which performed for "Leaving No Child Behind" in 2002, the "Kennedy Center Partners in Education" 2008, the "International AOSA Professional Development Conference in Pittsburgh" in 2011 and throughout the community, Cora Lee continues to teach MusicLink students in her home piano studio as well as teaching piano at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. One of the first MusicLink students she started working with at 5 years of age has graduated from the Conservatory at Ithaca and is currently auditioning for graduate school. She said, "MusicLink has provided a vehicle for my music students to envision musical progress, success and fulfillment. Families who have been diligent in getting their children to every lesson and musical event have determined their significant progress. "The musical progress of my students has been inspirational."

Having majored in piano at Grinnell College, Cora Lee studied piano with Beth Miller Harrod from Julliard, Rio Nardi (Conservatorio de Firenze, Italy), and Claude Gonvierre of Long Island. Cora Lee' s piano students have received scholarships to piano camps and college as Vermont's Sonatina, Piano Institute of Ithaca and Conservatory at Ithaca. Her students have placed in the Marriott Piano Competition, Lyons' Music Competiton, NVMTA's Healy/Ford Competition and the National Piano Guild Auditions. She continues to serve as the chairperson for National Piano Guild Auditions in Washington, DC, and is the chair person for NVMTA Judged Recitals.

Peggy Newhall taught in the Fairfax County Schools for over 30 years. When she retired she started teaching private piano lessons. She happily went to every workshop and convention possible. When she was 80 years old, she received her National Certification as a piano teacher and has kept it current. During her years of teaching, she has enjoyed teaching MusicLink students and working for a time as a coordinator. Peggy loves music and enjoys working with children very much. It gives her great joy to encourage a love of music in students who could not afford lessons otherwise. "I have been working with MusicLink as a teacher and a coordinator for quite a few years. It has been a very rewarding experience. It gives me great joy to encourage a love of music to students who could not afford it otherwise."

Brandy Pancoast is from Kettle Falls, Washington, located about 80 miles north of Spokane and about 45 minutes from Idaho and Canada. The closest town has a population of 1,660 and yet she has a full program in this rural American community.

Brandy started teaching piano when she was 13 after being asked to teach her cousin and 34 years later, she is still going strong. She loves what she does and loves to share her music. She has had many MusicLink students since moving to Washington in 2000 and first learning about the program. She is even a MusicLink Coordinator for the second time. Brandy believes that music is a gift for a lifetime and is something to be shared. She teaches the Musikgarten early childhood program, piano classes and private piano lessons.

Each week, Brandy teaches about 50 students ranging in age from 1 through early 70s, a number of whom are current MusicLink students. Brandy loves life with her students whether they are headed to college, accompanying at church, recording Christmas CDs with family and friends or getting married and coming back as past students to be parents of current students. It is truly "Music for a Lifetime" at Pancoast School of Music.

Brandy is professionally certified with MTNA and WSMTA in piano as well as licensed as a Musikgarten teacher. She has been active in MTNA both in Colorado prior to her move to Washington and in Washington. Currently, she is taking a step back out of MTNA leadership while she homeschools her children (4 still at home, 3 in college and 2 grown adults) while maintaining her studio. Brandy expects to be back in a more active role when her children are ready for her to do that. Meanwhile she is active and busy as a mom.

Teacher of Distinction with Honors: 15 - 19 Years

Teachers who have taught 15+ years through MusicLink are recognized as MusicLink Teachers of Distinction with Honors. We recognize and thank the following five teachers, who have devoted all of these years to help MusicLink students thrive through musical training.

Anne Beamer (Virginia) has been teaching piano in Arlington, VA since 2005. She grew up taking lessons in southern Virginia and accompanied her high school chorus and played in church. She began teaching as a second career to combine her two loves of playing piano and teaching. Anne is active in the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association and has chaired various club events. She is also Involved in the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festival, entering students and serving as an area chair. "Music is what makes us human, it brings us together. My MusicLink students are such a joy in my life."

At age 18, Jaette Carpenter (Minnesota) began teaching piano to students in the neighborhood and at her local church. Living in the same neighborhood she grew up in, she has always been compelled to teach children that might want to learn music, but had no means to do so financially. After many years of teaching private lessons in her home, at her church, in park buildings and directing church choirs of vocal, bell and youth, and even teaching music for a bit in her alma mater HS, she met a gifted musician named Ellie Fregni. In turn they met another gifted musician just out of college named Andrea Myers. With a wonderful group of teachers, family members, and community members helping them, they co-founded the nonprofit, Hopewell Music Cooperative-North. This group is now in its 11th year with the incredible help of many groups, including MusicLink, Keys4/4Kids, multi-grant organizations, a wonderful board and very dedicated neighbors and donors AND all the incredible teachers. The group teaches anyone regardless of their situation that wants to accomplish an instrument, perform in our orchestra, jazz ensemble, choir, and flute ensemble. They are up and running both Zoom lessons and in-person lessons and music groups, despite the lingering pandemic.

Priscilla Keogh (North Dakota) received her music education degree from the University of North Dakota and has been teaching music for over 50 years. She has taught elementary band, junior high general music, junior and senior high choir, and most recently, applied piano at Dickinson State University. During this time, she continually taught piano to all ages of students. She is involved in the ND Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festival, MTNA (past state president), MTNA Foundation Fellow, music festival adjudicator, music director at St. Wenceslaus Roman Catholic Church, and director of the Dickinson String Ensemble. "MusicLink has been so beneficial for students who couldn't otherwise afford to take private lessons. It is a wonderful program to help make music study available to so many. I truly appreciate that I have been able to make use of this service as do the parents of my MusicLink students."

Nancy Van Kampen (Minnesota) has taught piano for 20 years at Gethsemane Church and School. When she started teaching, she enjoyed it so much that her husband had to remind her to collect monthly payments. She has been involved in the Minnesota Music Teachers Association from VP to site administrator. She enjoys volunteering as much as giving lessons. She appreciates MusicLink and all it does for students. She says, "I can't imagine not having MusicLink students. There is always someone who wants to take lessons but cannot afford them."

Julie Wegener (New York) studied piano with Zenon Fishbein at the Manhattan School of Music and with Vladimir Feltsman at SUNY New Paltz. She has been teaching piano for over 30 years. After seeing a notice about MusicLink in a MTNA publication in the late 1990's, she volunteered to participate and soon became NYS coordinator. She started a MusicLink program at The Music School at Dutchess Community College in 2003. Julie has taught many MusicLink students over the years and has been the NYC MusicLink coordinator since 2013. She also serves on the board of NYSMTA as MusicLink chair. Julie is committed to MusicLink because of a life-long belief in equality. The idea that one might lose out for economic reasons is entirely unacceptable.

Teacher of Distinction: 10 - 14 Years

MusicLink Teachers of Distinction are those that are actively teaching now and have taught through MusicLink for 10 to 14 years. We recognize the service of the teachers in this category and show the total number of years and students taught.

• Deborah Brady, Georgia - 10 years, 26 students
• Nancy Cree, Iowa - 10 years, 2 students
• Heather Forbes, Washington - 10 years, 7 students
• Sylvia Lange, Minnesota - 10 years, 10 students
• Karen Monroe, Washington - 10 years, 9 students
• Susan Munson, Minnesota - 10 years, 6 students
• Lori Supernaw, Nebraska - 10 years, 6 students
• Natalie Weber, Kansas - 10 years 6 students

Deborah Brady	Nancy Cree	Heather Forbes
Sylvia Lange	Karen Monroe	Susan Munson

Lori Supernaw

Natalie Weber

Hall of Fame: 5 - 9 Years

Teachers reach the MusicLink Hall of Fame when they have taught for five to nine years. We are honored to recognize 18 teachers for reaching this category - with our thanks for their dedication to teaching deserving students through MusicLink.