|
|
|
This month took us from one highlight to another. The learning centers were buzzing with excitement as visiting artists, staff, and regular volunteers worked with our students on music, poetry, and schoolwork. Students worked extremely hard to prepare for our landmark concert with the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey. Through it all, we are learning more about what "radical kinship" looks like. I hope that you enjoy reading all about it in this month’s newsletter, and thank you for being a part of this growing family of love!
Jee-Hoon Krska, Executive Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On Sunday, April 2, the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, together with Keys 2 Success, rose to new heights as we took to the stage together. Our students performed 'Tis A Gift with the orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Robert Butts, before a capacity crowd in Dolan Hall of St. Elizabeth University in Morristown, NJ. In addition, we enjoyed listening to our friend and acclaimed pianist, Beatrice Long, perform the famous Mozart Concerto in C major, K. 467, and Beethoven's Symphony #1. Thank you to all our friends who came out to celebrate this moment. 'Twas A Gift indeed to share a musical afternoon with this amazing orchestra and with such a supportive audience!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"It’s always important to be a part of the community, especially for the young artists of Keys 2 Success," said Maestro Robert Butts of the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey. "It’s a really unique experience that inspires all of us.”
|
Interns and supporters from Newark and other towns near and far, and our friends from the Junior League of Summit, made the day extra special by showing up extra early to help with moving instruments, transporting and chaperoning students, setting up a snack table for our students to enjoy as they waited to perform, and hosting a meet-and-greet table in the lobby. We even celebrated the coming together of our diverse communities by raffling off three beautiful baskets full of mementos from Newark!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Some of our students had a chance to play outside on the grounds of St. Elizabeth University and to visit the beautiful art gallery adjacent to the performance hall.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"This performance imbued an incredible feeling of optimism into both the younger and the experienced artists alike," said Renee Frank, Board Member of Keys 2 Success and VP of the Junior League of Summit Thrift Shop. "This is not just a concert. It's a celebration of the power of music to bring people together and create positive change!”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Clark Visits Pennington Court
|
Antoine T. Clark is a passionate advocate of arts education and collaborates extensively with orchestras all across America. Most recently, he conducted with the New Jersey Symphony and took time out of his busy schedule to visit our students at the Pennington Court Center of Hope. He taught them conducting and listened to them as they played 'Tis A Gift and Lift Every Voice and Sing. In his words, "I was so happy to see the New Jersey Symphony and Keys 2 Success make a difference in the lives of so many deserving youths. It was the highlight of my week!"
|
The pen pal program, now in the third year, has been instrumental in connecting students from Keys 2 Success, located in Essex County, with students from the adjacent county attending the Union County Vocational Technical High School (UCVTS). Through the pen pal program, students from both groups are paired up and encouraged to communicate with each other via letters. By exposing students from both groups to a broader range of experiences and perspectives, the program helps to broaden their worldview and increase their understanding and acceptance of different cultures and communities. This exposure can also help break down stereotypes and prejudices that often lead to conflict and division.
Through the pen pal program, many UCVTS students, such as Ella Platts who was drawn to volunteer and even become interns at Keys 2 Success. Ella, a senior in high school, started with Keys as a sophomore and has loved working with the organization.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Mila Talati, a high school intern at Keys 2 Success. A sophomore at the Academy for Information Technology for the 2022- 2023 school year, she loves working with the kids. Outside of school, she participates in many music classes, teaches and performs Indian dance, and loves to read and travel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Practice-A-Thon Origin Story
|
|
An Interview with Sally Hoffman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For Sally Hoffman, President of the New Providence United Women in Faith, member of the New Providence United Methodist Church, and faithful supporter of Keys 2 Success, people lie at the center of her universe: “I’ve done a variety of things, but my passion has always been people. I love people—I love learning about them—I love helping them move in the direction they need to move.”
The friendship between Sally and Keys 2 Success founder, Jee-Hoon Krska, began as most friendships do—with a simple exchange of words. Jee-Hoon approached Sally with an invitation to a student performance in Newark. This event eventually led to a string of collaborations between the two organizations and their respective heads.
The beauty of the partnership between the New Providence United Methodist Church and Keys 2 Success is its ability to bridge the communities of New Providence and Newark. To Sally, expanding one’s own community is crucial: “As you expand, it’s like an old TV commercial. I tell you about a product, and you tell somebody else about a product, and pretty soon, everybody knows. If we expand our community, we not only have more resources that everyone in the community can draw on, but as an individual, we have more resources.”
The 2022 Practice-A-Thon was one of the first major events Keys 2 Success held with the New Providence United Methodist Church. Between the students of Keys 2 Success, the New Providence High School choir, and the members of the church, there truly was a tremendous sense of community present that day. Each and every single person involved expanded their community in some way, and as Sally notes, “It was magical.”
Communities have the capacity to act as support systems as well, and when one runs into what Sally refers to as “the brick wall”, there will always be someone there to help look for a way forward. When asked about her own personal methodology for tackling setbacks in life, Sally shared: “My sense of working at things is: don’t use the word “I can’t.” Don’t use the word, “that’s not possible.” I take the word of action more: “Do, be, go, open, discover.” Those words are not still—they’re lively—they have sparkle.” When it comes to helping others, Sally takes the same mindset, always searching for ways to help people navigate past the brick wall.
There is certainly no shortage of “brick walls” when it comes to running a non-profit, and Sally and the New Providence United Methodist Church are conscious of that. “As we participate and attend, and hear the stories of the children, it just further emphasizes the need to be supportive of what Jee-Hoon does. There’s a huge lack of equity in education—Keys 2 Success sharpens it for just about everyone because they can see the obvious need for music education.” Whether it be cheering the students on at their performances or lending space to hold a concert, the New Providence United Methodist Church recognizes the impact their support has on the success of Keys 2 Success.
This April 23rd, 2:30 PM Keys 2 Success and the New Providence United Methodist Church will be collaborating once again to host the third annual Practice-A-Thon. Even more than last year, this year’s event will be a true intersection of communities with students from Newark, New Providence, and various other townships in New Jersey all coming together as equals to create and enjoy music and dance which reflect the rich diversity of our Keys 2 Success family. Sally summed it up perfectly: “When you go into that room, you know there’ll be a great deal of love.”
We hope to see you at this year’s Practice-a-Thon on April 23rd!
Ella Platts is a senior at Union County Vocational Technical High School. She joined Keys 2 Success during the spring of her sophomore year through the pen pal program and is currently a member of the fundraising and publicity teams. She enjoys using her vocational background in design to create fun and compelling content for Keys!
|
|
|
|
|
|
