January 2023
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:
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MusicLink Hall of Fame RecognitionMusicLink 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 YearsMusicLink 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 YearsTeachers 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 YearsMusicLink 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.
Hall of Fame: 5 - 9 YearsTeachers 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.
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