SPRING 2015NEWSLETTER216 Central Avenue . White Plains . NY . 10606914.761.3900 musicconservatory.org

216 Central AvenueWhite Plains, NY 10606www.musicconservatory.org

Rodd Berro, PresidentRobert Heath, Chairman, Treasurer Joel Breitkopf, Vice PresidentNancy Goodman, SecretaryMayo G. BartlettGary E. BashianCaroline G. BaumanMary Lynn BiancoJohn Bottomley Thomas A. CrattyGeorge Drapeau

Paul FarfelAnthony GallinariAlan E. KatzLaurence KeiserMarianna KennedyGeorgia PollakLawrence SlatteryTony SmithJennifer Weiss

Jean Newton, Executive Director

Sarah Wetherbee, Dean of Students & Faculty

Special thanks to our institutional supporters to date who have contributed $10,000 or more for the 2013/2014 fiscal year.

ArtsWestchester, ASCAP Foundation, Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation, Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Entergy, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, Kresge Foundation, The MOCA Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, Ernst C. Stiefel Foundation, UJA-Music For Youth Foundation

Board of Trustees

v When you hear the word “conservatory,” what comes to mind? A school where students are taught music, theater and dance - or a greenhouse where plants and flowers grow? The Music Conservatory of Westchester encompasses both. We provide the highest level of music teaching and performance while preserving traditions, cultivating tomorrow’s performers and audiences, and helping our students grow with the music they love.

The Conservatory is the right place to cultivate a typical 7-year-old starting piano lessons, or encourage an adult to grow with the instrument they haven’t touched since high school.

Celebrating Our BrandOur job is to nurture our students’ musical development no matter what their age or ability. And the Conservatory is the place where future stars get their start. The roster of Conservatory alumni includes Roger Peng, Professor of Biostatistics at Johns Hopkins University; Ken-David Masur, Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; and Andrew Novo, historian and author of the novel “Queen of Cities.”

When young students come here to study music, they gain skills that prepare them for future success in whatever career they choose. Research shows that music training builds discipline, creative expression, teamwork,self-confidence, analytical thinking and so much more. It accomplishes this better than

participation in sports. I will never forget the student who said of his piano teacher, “She taught me not only about music, but about life.”

When adults come here, they will find a community of like-minded peers and supportive teachers. I love walking around our building and seeing the marvelous mix of faces, from 3 years old to 90 years old and every age in between – all here to fulfill their musical dreams. In our community, it’s never too late to learn something new, explore different musical styles, or create your own music.

I’m proud of the Conservatory’s enduring commitment to the community, through our Scholarship Program for financially deserving students, and our Music

85th Anniversary Closer The Music Conservatory of Westchester will wrap up its 85th year with its 14th Annual Golf & Tennis Classic on Monday, June 29 at Whippoorwill Club in Armonk with homerun honorees and a lineup of Broadway stars. At the awards dinner following a day on the greens and the courts, future MLB Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara will receive our Community Vision Award for their outstanding philanthropic work in the community.

The evening will also introduce the first two young people to receive the Clara and Mariano Rivera Music Scholarship. Two Conservatory veterans will also be honored at the celebratory dinner. Longtime Conservatory trustee Robert Heath of Armonk will receive the Distinguished Leadership Award. A successful entrepreneur, Mr. Heath is also a serious pianist who studies at the Conservatory with Svetlana Gorokovich of White Plains. Dorothy Jonas, a 50-year veteran of the Conservatory faculty, will received our Lifetime Achievement Award. (See story on Page 3.)

Following the presentations, Broadway stars Lena Hall (2014 Tony Award Winner - Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Josh Young (2012 Tony Award Nominee - Jesus Christ Superstar), and Constantine Maroulis (2009 Tony Award Nominee - Rock of Ages) will pay tribute to the honorees with a musical revue.

The 14th Annual Golf & Tennis Classic raises funds for the Conservatory’s Scholarship

Program, enabling deserving students to make their musical dreams come true. Your support will help provide need-based tuition assistance for aspiring young students to enroll in the school’s comprehensive program of music instruction, and for special needs students to take music therapy or adapted instruction. Full scholarships are also provided for US military veterans through our Healing Our Heroes program.

Robert Heath has served on the board for 20 years.

Join us for a fun day of golf and tennis and bring your friends! For info on playing and/or tickets for the Celebratory Awards Dinner/Broadway Revue, please contact

info@musiced.org or visit mcwevents.org.

Therapy program for children and adults with disabilities. This year we expanded our community involvement with our series of free “Live in The Hall” performances, and in the coming year there will be even more events at the Conservatory and in the community. Future plans will have technology at the forefront, including a keyboard technology lab and recording studio. So come along with us as we continue to grow our Conservatory brand.

- Jean Newton, Executive Director

Welcome to the BoardWe’re honored to welcome two new members of the Conservatory’s Board of Trustees. Paul Farfel, a resident of Scarsdale, is a partner with Ernst & Young, a multinational professional services firm – the third largest in the world. Mr. Farfel, who holds degrees from Georgetown and Columbia University, currently specializes in forensic accounting.

“EY is committed to community engagement in support of education, entrepreneurship, and the environment. That commitment includes financial resources and encouraging people to volunteer their time and talents. After contributing financial support the Healing our Heroes music therapy program for military veterans, I joined the Conservatory board to help it grow and enhance the music education and services it provides in the Westchester community.”

Tony Smith, whose two sons are both Conservatory students studying piano with Irena Portenko and guitar with George England, is a resident of New Rochelle. He is Vice President and founding member of Neptune Global, LLC, a diversified holding company.

“I believe that music education is fundamental in the social, emotional and academic development of children. I am moved by the work the Conservatory has done and continues to do in the community with respect to not only children, but also the elderly and adults with special needs. It is my lifelong passion for community service that piqued my interest in becoming a board member.”

www.musicconservatory.org www.musicconservatory.org

A Rock ‘Star’ is Born! On Feb. 28, nine-year-old music therapy student Matthew Welling took the stage to perform songs from his first album, “You Be the Rock Star.” Matthew and his teachers James Maxon and Donald Stevens performed Matt’s original songs and covers for a standing-room-only audience. Matthew was hands-on in the production of each of the songs on his album. Donations from the audience – who each received a copy of the album – are designated to support the Conservatory’s Music Therapy Institute.

Born in San Antonio, TX, Dorothy Jonas trained at The Juilliard School, and embarked on a successful solo career. When she joined our faculty in 1965, she had recently moved to Westchester to raise her family.

In 1978, Dorothy formed the Pierce-Jonas Duo with pianist Joshua Pierce, and over the next 20 years they gained significant renown, touring internationally and making more than 50 recordings. Among their most memorable experiences were a command performance for the British royal family at London’s Royal Festival Hall, and world premiere performances of the Spellbound Concerto Fantasie and the New England Concerto, written for them by Academy Award winning film composer Miklos Rosza.

Throughout her career, Dorothy has always had a love of teaching, and enjoys working with students of all ages. Her studio has included many “second generation” students whose mother or father also studied with her. “It’s been a wonderful experience for me to be here all these years,” Dorothy said. “I’ve taken hundreds of students from novices to well-rounded musicians, and given them a love of music they’ll have all their lives. It’s like watching a flower bloom. Each student is different, and each day brings something new – that’s the reward for me.”

Meet Our Registrar -

Westchester’s first all-female senior chorus is coming to the Music Conservatory of Westchester! All senior women are welcome to participate. You’ll be part of a rewarding activity, meet other vibrant women and make beautiful music. Some singing experience and ability to read music are preferable but not necessary. Rehearsals will take place weekly at the Conservatory and all performances will be local.

If you’re interested in joining, contact Jean Newton at 914-761-3900 ext. 112, or email jean@musiced.org.

Remembering Harold Jones On January 12, the Music Conservatory lost a beloved teacher, colleague and friend. Harold Jones joined the Conservatory faculty in 1966, and also served on the faculties of Manhattan School of Music and Manhattanville College.

Over the course of his long career, he trained and mentored generations of flute students, and his international concert career forged new paths for minority performers in classical music. Harold’s impact in the field of music was far-reaching and will long be remembered.

For nearly 50 years his charm, humor, and love of teaching graced our halls and we will miss him deeply. To honor his memory, a memorial concert will take place in fall, 2015, on a date to be determined.

We’re thrilled to introduce Song Gonzalez, the Conservatory’s new Registrar. Song has a degree in both piano and bassoon from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. She is the founder of Waltz-Astoria, a café and live music venue in Queens, and of the Little Waltzers Kids Music Program. Most recently she was Associate Director of the Preparatory program at Mannes College The New School for Music.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Conservatory team and community. As a long time musician, I have a deep appreciation for programs that help educate young performers and provide them with the necessary tools and opportunities to become better musicians. This is exactly just that! I look forward to meeting the faculty, students and families, and all the supporters and friends of the Conservatory.”

50 Years of DorothyAnnouncing the Silver Sisters Chorale

SCENES FROM OUR 85TH YEAR