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As spring unfolds around us, I'm filled with gratitude for the growth happening within our community. This season has brought extraordinary collaborations and growth. What strikes me most is how our students continue to transcend expectations—not just musically, but as leaders and bridge-builders. Watching our Urban Fellows mentor younger students, and seeing children from all different backgrounds find common ground through music reminds me why we began this journey - to reweave the fabric of our community together. I'm so glad you are on this road with us!
Jee-Hoon Krska, Executive Director
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with Keys 2 Success Students and The Discovery Orchestra
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On Monday, March 31st, our students achieved an exciting milestone as we co-presented Saint-Saëns' "Carnival of the Animals" alongside The Discovery Orchestra. Parents beamed with pride as their children—barely able to contain their excitement—showcased their semester's musical achievements.
This collaboration holds special significance, as it bridges generations of musical mentorship. More than 40 years ago, Discovery Orchestra's Artistic Director George Marriner Maull gave a young Jee-Hoon Krska and her twin sister their first orchestral performance opportunity with the Plainfield Symphony. Today, George, along with Discovery Orchestra's Executive Director Rick Kaller (coincidentally a Juilliard pre-college classmate of Jee-Hoon's) and Michael Avagliano, continue this legacy of musical community-building.
This poignant event marked our final performance at Rock Church's Ferry Street location. As we follow Rock Church to their new site—strategically positioned at the junction of the Central and South Wards where many of our students live—we look forward to expanding our reach while maintaining our robust programs at Pennington Court and Hyatt Court Centers of Hope in the East Ward.
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NJ Intergenerational Orchestra
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Two years ago, a chance meeting at a board training day between Allen Campell, then Board President of New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra (NJIO), and Jee-Hoon Krska planted the seeds for what would become a flourishing musical partnership.
Jee-Hoon immediately recognized NJIO's alignment with Keys 2 Success' mission—both organizations use music as a powerful instrument to bring diverse people together, cross barriers, and form uplifting communities. NJIO uniquely brings together students and adults of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to form orchestras, mirroring our own commitment to inclusive music education.
When NJIO needed a managing director that fall, Jee-Hoon recommended Allison Russo, then Keys 2 Success's grant writer. Though it meant losing a valued team member, Jee-Hoon recognized the strategic value of having an ally in the field. That foresight paid off beautifully when Allison secured a grant specifically for a collaborative performance between our organizations.
The resulting concert, held on Sunday April 27th at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, filled the historic space with joy and surprise. In a serendipitous full-circle moment, this was the same church where Jee-Hoon had performed with the Plainfield Symphony under Maestro Maull's baton many years ago.
Together with the Prelude Orchestra, our Urban Fellows captivated the audience with a moving rendition of "Ave Maria," while the Junior Fellows delighted everyone with their spirited performance of "Libertango." The church's magnificent acoustics elevated every note, creating an unforgettable experience for performers and audience alike.
This successful collaboration is just the beginning—we're already looking forward to next year's joint performance!
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Keys 2 Success Collaborates with World-Class Musicians
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The hallways of Pennington Court resonated with extraordinary music as Keys 2 Success deepened our collaboration with The Harlem Chamber Players, a diverse collective of professional classical musicians dedicated to bringing high-caliber classical music to communities in Harlem and beyond.
This marked our second year collaborating with these world-class musicians. On Monday April 14th, we hosted a master class at Pennington Court—the heart of our program—created a powerful connection between our students and these exceptional artists.
"It was like a homecoming to welcome Anthony Morris for the second time to Pennington Court," noted one staff member. "It means so much to have renowned musicians look forward to visiting the places we love." As Anthony himself described the experience: "Delicious!"
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On May 3rd, the collaboration reached new heights when we joined forces on stage with other giants in music education: Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, Harlem School of the Arts, and the Sing for Hope Youth Chorus. Each organization raised the bar for excellence, inspiring our students to reach for new levels of musicianship.
A particular highlight came when Sing for Hope invited three of our Urban Fellows to join their chorus in performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing"—a powerful moment of artistic cross-pollination that exemplifies our shared mission of building community through music.
The Harlem Chamber Players' commitment to promoting local community access to the arts aligns perfectly with our own vision. Through their work, they bring live music to underserved neighborhoods, promote shared cultural engagement, and provide opportunities for classically trained musicians of color—values that resonate deeply with Keys 2 Success.
Similarly, Sing for Hope's creative programs bring hope, healing, and connection to millions worldwide through hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and community spaces. Founded in New York City after 9/11, their work with artist-created pianos and mobilizing thousands of artists in creative service inspires our own community-building efforts.
As we look to the future, we're excited to explore new dimensions of collaboration with these extraordinary organizations, creating more opportunities for our students to learn from and perform alongside world-class musicians who share our commitment to transformative music education.
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Building Connections Beyond Music
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Friday afternoons at Keys 2 Success have evolved into something extraordinary this season with the introduction of our Mentorship Fridays initiative. Recognizing New Providence United Methodist Church as an ideal gathering place, we've created a unique weekly experience that brings together Urban Fellows, Junior Fellows, teen interns, and adult volunteers in meaningful connection.
This past month featured Carolina Rozewski, Assistant Vice President and Community Development Officer from Peapack Private, who engaged our Junior Fellows in an interactive financial workshop. Using creative games to explore "Budgeting and Savings" along with "Smart Shopping and Consumer Awareness," she made essential life skills accessible and engaging. Peapack Private's commitment extends beyond these sessions—they were also the proud sponsors of our recent Discovery Saint-Saëns event.
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When the Larks of the Junior League of Summit visited, the afternoon transformed into a mosaic of shared meals, impromptu performances, and even joyful interactions with a friendly puppy.
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The charm of these Friday gatherings lies in their spontaneity and warmth. But beneath these activities lies something more profound—the blossoming of genuine friendships across geographical and societal boundaries.
By establishing this designated time and space where participants from diverse backgrounds converge weekly, we're witnessing the emergence of authentic bonds that extend well beyond musical collaboration. Mentorship Fridays represent our vision in action: creating environments where meaningful human connections flourish naturally, enriching everyone involved while dismantling invisible barriers that too often separate our communities.
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Join Us for an Unforgettable Afternoon of Music at Summit's Beacon Church
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If you’re in the New Jersey area, please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 18th at 3:00 PM as Keys 2 Success presents our culminating spring event in collaboration with the historic Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit.
This architectural gem offers an exceptional musical experience with its remarkable acoustics, magnificent Steinway grand piano, and intimate setting that creates an unparalleled connection between performers and audience. It's the perfect showcase for our talented musicians who have been preparing for months.
Event Details:
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Date: Saturday, May 18th
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Time: 3:00 PM (doors open at 2:30 PM)
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Location: Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 4 Waldron Ave, Summit
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Admission: Free to attend (donations welcome to support youth music education)
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RSVP: https://www.afternoonmusic.org/current-season
Let's fill this beautiful sanctuary with supportive energy as we celebrate not just musical achievement, but the power of cross-community connection. Come early for the best seats, and plan to stay for the reception where you can meet these remarkable young musicians.
This year, our goal is to have 10 people Stand-with-a-Scholar. Seven donors have already committed to donate $3,600 (or $300 a month) to provide one student with weekly piano lessons. Would you be the 8th donor to stand with a scholar?
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