April 2023

     




Spring this year brings with it a vibrant feeling of getting together once again through conventions, in-person lessons, end of year recitals, and sharing mutual goals of reaching 8,000 overall MusicLink students by the end of school year 2023. We are proud of all our teachers and students and know that the end of the school year will be a success all around!


Our 8000 student goal is SO close - only 60 students left to link! 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 reimbursements, and student camp scholarships.


MusicLink Registration Form

MusicLink Benefits


We often take for granted that teachers realize the benefits of being a MusicLink teacher with students who benefit as well. Here are a few examples of how MusicLink helps our teachers and students.


Phyllis Calderon (IL) received a Grass Roots Grant of $500 to assist in covering administrative costs and music books for students in a new class of 14 students (10 piano and 4 violin) as an extension to her current MusicLink program through A Touch of Classical Plus, Inc. The Grass Roots Grant application is available on our website:


Grass Roots Application



Every MusicLink teacher receives a multi-page list of discounts and free offers from our many MusicLink business partners. Ben Raznick (CO) sent us this photo of a smiling student and a note of thanks for the collaboration of the MusicLink Foundation and Faber’s Piano Adventures. Active teachers can contact our Business Partners and, by providing their ID numbers, can take advantage of the many offers available. We are grateful for the support of our valued Business Partners.


MusicLink Provides Instruments


The MusicLink Foundation has received many donations of instruments over the past few months that were distributed to MusicLink students across the country. The Instrument Donation form is available on our website and here:


Donate an Instrument


Dhruv Nitin (CA)
   
Thomas Huihui (LA)

A donated violin with bow and case went to Thomas Huihui, (LA), a violin student of Ruth Roland who studies at the Baton Rouge Conservatory. Dhruv Nitin (CA) was thrilled to receive a Yamaha upright piano. His mother said "It’s been an amazing and helpful experiences from the start. The teacher is awesome and Alissa (MusicLink coordinator) is on top of things. Thank you to the foundation that Dhruv gets to learn and enjoy the piano."



Henry Simon
   
Simon Family Members

The Simon family (WI) received a piano through the collaboration of MusicLink and Keys 4/4 Kids. Their reaction: "Wow! This is such fantastic news!! Thank you so much. Our family is very grateful for this resource - you and your work as well as the teacher. The kids did a little happy dance as you can see! This is all blowing my mind. I can’t possibly thank you enough."


MusicLink Laureate Lunch



Cora Lee Khambatta
   
Peggy Newhall


Joanne, Peggy, Cora and Diane

Executive Director Joanne Haroutounian enjoyed a celebratory lunch with 2022 MusicLink Laureates Peggy Newhall, Cora Lee Khambatta and 2021 Laureate Diane Perret at a French restaurant in Falls Church, VA. It was an excellent way to share MusicLink memories of their many years of teaching through the program.


Sue Wege - MusicLink Laureate



Sue Wege is a nationally certified private music teacher with a piano studio in Cottage Grove, MN. She attended Northern Michigan University where she earned her Masters of Arts in Education degree.


Sue has been involved with the MusicLink Foundation for 23 years,serving in roles as MusicLink teacher, state and regional coordinator and is currently the Director of Coordinators where she oversees the training and support of coordinators nationwide. Sue also serves on the MMTA DEI Committee and is Treasurer and Membership Chair for the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association.


"I've always been drawn to the simple idea of one teacher teaching one student in need and have seen the tremendous impact this can make. As a coordinator I get to meet teachers from around the nation and it gives me great satisfaction to help them be successful in their own coordinator roles and to troubleshoot problems they may encounter. My wish would be that every teacher of music would reach out to just one student to make their dream of learning an instrument come true."


From Joanne Haroutounian: MusicLink teachers across the country applaud our recognition of Sue Wege, who personally oversees the workings of the "links" that create lasting MusicLink partnership between students and teachers. When there is a question or concern about these links, Sue is always there with a solution. Her guidance in training of new coordinators is key to MusicLink’s success. Bravo!


Switching to Goodshop for Donations


Amazon Smile has closed down so the MusicLink Foundation will be switching to Goodshop, which will provide contributions when you shop at Walmart, Kohl's, Home Depot, Travelocity, Staples and other stores.


Goodshop

Wichita East High School
Tri-M Benefit Concert


Ethan Wessley, a MusicLink cello student of Laura Martinez, has taken the initiative to organize a benefit concert featuring the Wichita East High School Ensemble Club. The concert will take place on April 28th, 7:00 pm with proceeds benefiting the MusicLink Foundation.


New MusicLink Teachers


The following teachers signed up to teach through MusicLink in the past few months. This brings the total of active teachers to 222 and overall teacher total to 4,477.


MD: Karin Chambless Nandkumar; MN: Diane Leslie Anderson, Kelli Sobania, NY: Leslie Austin; PA: Mary Grandelis; TX: Takenya Battle (returning); VA: Bo Mi Cha; WA: Mary Anne Aiello, Brenna Wells.


New Business Partners


We welcome the following new business partners: TuneKey PRO; Read & Play Music


     

MN MusicLink Playathon Brings
Music to the Public



The 2023 MusicLink Playathon took place in Macys Court at the Mall of America on the weekend of February 18th & 19th. Even though our numbers were a bit lower with 150 performances this year, over $9.000 was raised to help children in need get the opportunity to have affordable lessons.


Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who worked the desk and emceed including MMTA teachers Sara Diedrich, Solveig Englund, Kathryn Karg and Rachel Weyandt. Guest emcees included singer/songwriter, Michelle Rose, Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen, Elly Rowen and Rachel Luchsinger.


The 3 top fundraising studios were Kathryn Karg ($3,637), Sara Diedrich ($970) and Kim Nichols ($595).


12 performers were gift card winners with donations of $250 or more. Photos of donors who performed and contributed to the fundraiser are in this month’s elink.


Special thanks go to Kathryn & Andy Karg for livestreaming the event and to Gary Wege for his photography and support!



Andy and Kathryn Karg

MN MusicLink Playathon Donors


$250 or More:



Rory Thompson

   
Michelle Rose


Charlotte Stone

   
Lauren Kelm
and Teacher Andy Karg


Baylee Weyandt

   
Avery and Adelyn Lerch


Arthur and Marshall Smith

   
Emily Weyandt


Ivy Williams

   
Sam Dahlen


Charlotte Stone

$100 or More:



Samantha Karsnia

   
Boede Halvorson


James Christenson

   
Penny Johnson
and Ellen Jepson


Chloe Zhang

   
Saphina Engles


Elijah Erickson

   
Cole Callaway


Lilah Stitzel

   
Ronan Overturf


Nola Overturf

   
Adayla Ogren
and Teacher Andy Karg


Claire Hesse

   
Izzy and Addie Brand


Reese Rowan

   
Burke Moffitt (no photo)


Muhlbach Memorial



Lois and Bruce Muhlbach

The Muhlbach family has donated $1,355 to the MusicLink Foundation in memory of Bruce and Lois Muhlbach and their love of music.


     

 www.musiclinkfoundation.org