The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Winners and Finalists in Music Conservatory ‘Colors of Music’ Mural Art Contest!

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 ‘COLORS OF MUSIC’ STUDENT MURAL CONTEST WINNERS!

Local Student Artwork to Be Painted As Community Mural in White Plains

White Plains, NY– The Music Conservatory of Westchester is proud to announce that both Mya Madison Davis, 9th grader at Pelham Memorial High School, and Ciara Sergi, 9th grader at White Plains High School, are winners of the “Colors of Music” Student Mural Contest! Additional finalists were Emma Farley, of New Rochelle, grade 7, Albert Leonard Middle Schoo and Lucy Schwartzreich, of Chappaqua, grade 11, Horace Greeley High School.

Numerous entries were submitted by middle and high school students around Westchester County with the hope that their artwork would be chosen as the basis for a mural to be painted on the Music Conservatory of Westchester’s building on Central Avenue in White Plains. Four finalists were selected by an adjudication panel of art experts and creative community leaders from New York City and Westchester County.

In a tie, based on scores from all eight members of the adjudication panel, both Mya Madison Davis and Ciara Sergi were chosen as winners of the contest. They will collaborate with professional mural artist, Jonathan Villoch, to adapt their winning designs as a large-scale mural representing the theme of “Multi-Cultural Music.” Runners-up in the contest, Emma Farley of New Rochelle, 7th grader at Albert Leonard Middle School and Lucy Schwartzreich, of Chappaqua, 11th grader at Horace Greely High School will attend a mural art workshop over the summer with all four finalists. A new mural will be developed based on the winners’ designs under Jonathan Villoch’s guidance.

“Giving and getting feedback is so important to collaboration and having an open dialogue is essential for artists to communicate productively on any project,” Mr. Villoch said of this once-in-a-lifetime artistic experience.

Finalists in the contest are (in alphabetical order by last name):

  • Mya Madison Davis, of Pelham, grade 9, Pelham Memorial High School
  • Emma Farley, of New Rochelle, grade 7, Albert Leonard Middle School
  • Lucy Schwartzreich, of Chappaqua, grade 11, Horace Greeley High School
  • Ciara Sergi, of White Plains, grade 9, White Plains High School

 

By Mya Davis

Mya Madison Davis described her winning contest submission titled “Rainbow Rhapsody” as, “The bright colors represent diversity of people. The instruments I used are from all over the world. For example, I included a Djembe which is a drum from Africa. I also included a pan flute which originates from Colombia.  I also depicted instruments that would not usually go together like a piano and an electric guitar. An important part of my painting is the silhouette of the conductor’s arms because it shows everyone from all different cultural backgrounds coming together, united in one harmony, all with a common goal.”

By Ciara Sergi

Ciara Sergi described her worldly entry titled “Musical Pangea”: I drew the characteristic instruments from each of the continents as a product of their traditional culture, and used their instruments to depict each continent.”

The Music Conservatory of Westchester thanks all of the talented student artist entrants in the “Colors of Music” Student Mural Contest for their exceptional creative ideas, colors, mediums, and musical and multi-cultural elements that were demonstrated to illustrate the theme.

“Each artist brought his or her creative point of view. Some artists were quite literal in their interpretation; others took the theme to another level of graphic abstraction and conceptualization,” Lynn Honeysett, former Executive Director of the Pelham Art Center said of the art entries submitted by local students for the contest. “I appreciated that all the student artists brought heart and soul to their work.”

By Lucy Schwartzreich

Submissions for the “Colors of Music” Student Mural Contest, supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, were judged in two rounds by eight panelists with art expertise as well as Westchester County community leaders:

  • Margaret Adasko, Curator of Education, Katonah Museum of Art
  • Samantha De Tillio, Assistant Curator, Museum of Arts and Design
  • Michael Dweck, Treasurer and Board Trustee, Museum of Arts and Design
  • Jimmy Fink, Radio Personality and Producer at 107.1 The Peak
  • Lynn Honeysett, Former Executive Director of the Pelham Art Center
  • Kimberlyn V. McKoy, Gallery Associate, ArtsWestchester
  • Amy R. Paulin, Assemblymember for the 88th District
  • Jonathan Villoch, Professional Mural Artist, Collaborating Artist for “Colors of Music” Student Mural Contest

Conservatory Executive Director Jean Newton said, “We are very excited to unveil the finished mural, celebrate and share it with the entire community. Music and art brings people together in a way that nothing else can.”

By Emma Farley

The Music Conservatory of Westchester will celebrate the unveiling of the final mural on Sunday, September 30th, 2018 with a block party on the Conservatory’s grounds. The entire community is invited to enjoy live music, food trucks, and family fun! The Conservatory encourages all students who entered the contest to attend and share in recognizing their fellow students whose creative vision of the vibrant diversity of Westchester County and beyond will be featured as public art for the community.

The Music Conservatory of Westchester was founded in 1929 by a group of community members and renowned artists. Today, the Conservatory provides the extraordinary benefits of music to all in our community, from absolute beginners to advanced artists, with one-on-one instruction, performing ensembles, theory, composition, early childhood classes, lifelong learning for adults, and free community performances, serving 2,900 students each year from 4 months to over 80 years old. As a not-for-profit organization, the Conservatory is dedicated to serving the community and reaching out to those who would not otherwise have access. Our Scholarship Program provides tuition assistance for financially deserving students. The Music Therapy Institute brings music into the lives of 1,900 children and adults with disabilities each year through on-site and outreach programs. Healing Our Heroes offers military veterans a specialized music therapy program to help with recovery after their service. The Conservatory has inspired generations of students, and contributed to a vibrant musical life in the county, the region, and beyond.

Visit musicconservatory.org.

Save the Date for Northern Westchester Hospital 2018 Gala: November 3 Honorees Noted Here!

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Ellen and Kamran Hakim

 Ellen and Kamran Hakim were Named Community Honorees and Dr. Adina Keller and Dr. Jeffrey Keller Named Physician Honorees

Mt. Kisco, New York— Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) will honor philanthropists Ellen and Kamran Hakim, and physicians Drs. Adina and Jeffrey Keller at the hospital’s annual gala on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 333 North Bedford Road at 6:30 p.m. The event is co-chaired by Jennifer and Jon Klein, and Luba and Steve Seidman. The announcement was made by Keeva Young-Wright, President of the NWH Foundation and Vice President of External Affairs at NWH.

“We are delighted to honor the Hakims for their long-term, generous support of Northern Westchester Hospital and the Kellers for their clinical excellence and leadership roles at NWH,” she said.

“These couples exemplify the community support, commitment and dedication that enables NWH to provide high quality, patient-centered care to all members of our community.”

Mr. Hakim, a New York-based real estate investor and one of the city’s largest private landlords, immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1956 at the age of 14. Mrs. Hakim, born Ellen Manocherian, is in partnership with her sister Joan Cohen in the family’s real estate business.

Longtime supporters of NWH, the Hakims hosted two fundraising galas for the hospital at their Old Salem Farm. Their grandson Andrew was born at NWH, and Mr. Hakim, who has been a patient at NWH credits the hospital for saving his life. The couple are married for 53 years and have lived in Westchester for just as long. They have four children, 12 grandchildren, and reside in Chappaqua.

Adina Keller, M.D., FACOG

Adina Keller, MD, FACOG, is a community-based physician who has dedicated her professional life to women’s health and cancer prevention. As a board certified OB/GYN with CareMount Medical Group and associate chief of OB/GYN at NWH, Dr. Keller is a champion of cancer prevention. In addition to her practice, which includes minimally invasive robotic surgery, Dr. Keller has made it a mission to educate the community about health, wellness and cancer prevention.

She is on the Board of Trustees at NWH, and is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s (AGOG) Cervical Cancer Prevention Task Force and served as section chair of its Hudson Valley District. She also served as Medical Director of the American Cancer Society, Westchester Branch, and was on its Board of Advisors from 2007-2015. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including The American Cancer Society Leadership and Humanitarian award, US News and World Report Top Doctor; New York Magazine’s Best Doctor Award (2017); and has received Top Doctor awards from Castle Connolly (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018) and Westchester Magazine (2013, 2015 and 2017).

Jeffrey Keller, M.D., FACS, FAAP

Jeffrey Keller, MD, FACS, FAAP, is board certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and a Pediatric Otolaryngologist who has devoted his career to taking care of children. Dr. Keller began working at Northern Westchester Hospital in 2005 and is currently the Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology for the Mount Sinai Health System at CareMount Medical. Dr. Keller practices at CareMount Medical’s Mount Kisco and Carmel offices, and has privileges at Northern Westchester Hospital, the Ambulatory Surgery Center of Westchester and Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Keller has authored numerous chapters on Pediatric Otolaryngology, and has received many awards. He is the recipient of New York Magazine’s Best Doctor Award (2006-2008 & 2014-2016); Best Doctors in America (2013 and 2015); and top doctor awards from Castle Connolly (2013-2018), Westchester Magazine (2013-2017), Hudson Valley Magazine (2017), and Hudson Valley Parent Favorite Docs (2016 and 2017).

Dr. Adina Keller and Dr. Jeffrey Keller live in Chappaqua with their two teenage sons.

The NWH Gala begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., a program and dinner at 8 p.m., and dancing at 9:30 p.m. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit www.nwhconnect.org/2018gala.  

This news: courtesy of Northwell and Northern Westchester Hospital

Reception + Film: L’dor Vador, From Generation to Generation

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Date: Wednesday, June 13th
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Mamaroneck Library
136 Prospect Ave
Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Free and open to the public

Please RSVP HERE

L’dor Vador is being presented by Seth Harrison, a photojournalist with The Journal News/Lohud. Harrison and his team created this film highlighting families of local Holocaust survivors as they discuss how a lifetime of hearing the experiences of their parents and grandparents has affected their own lives. An accompanying photo exhibit will be on display June 7- 30.

Jacob Breitstein, 93, and his daughter, Grace Bennett, 54, of Chappaqua, photographed April 25, 2015. Breitstein was 17 when he arrived at Auschwitz with his brother in 1943. His brother was killed a short time later; Breitstein remained there until the camp was liberated in 1945 at the end of World War II.                                                    Photo by Seth Harrison/The Journal News
Helga Luden, 81, of New Rochelle, photographed May 11, 2015 with her daughter, Anita Greenwald, 57, of Armonk. A native of Germany, Luden was six years old when she crawled under a barbed-wire fence to escape the Nazi concentration camp in Gurs, France. She was rescued by French partisans and eventually reunited with her parents, who also survived concentration camps.  Photo by Seth Harrison/The Journal News

 

 

Friends of Karen’s 40th Birthday Celebration at Rye Playland

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PHOTO BY JUNE MARIE SOBRITO

A perennial family-favorite outing during the summer is a trip to Rye Playland. Families can now combine fun with philanthropy when the park hosts Friends of Karen’s 40th Birthday Party on Saturday evening, June 9, at 5:30 p.m. The fun and festivities include a BBQ dinner overlooking the beautiful Long Island Sound, unlimited rides at “America’s Premier Playground,” fantastic entertainment, a gigantic birthday cake and lots of surprises.

It’s a fun way to celebrate the 40th Birthday of Friends of Karen, a lifeline to families caring for children battling cancer or another life-threatening illness. Tickets include dinner, unlimited rides all evening on the Playland attractions, a strolling magician, face-painting, a performance by the Lawless Band and much more.

Friends of Karen based in North Salem is the only non-profit organization in the New York Tri-State area that provides comprehensive support, at no cost, to over 300 families a month who are caring for a child battling cancer or another life-threatening illness. In the past four decades the organization has helped more than 15,000 children and families in the Tri-State area.

The non-profits team of social workers, child life specialists and creative arts therapists ensures that each family–and each family member–receives an individualized program of emotional, financial and advocacy assistance throughout their child’s illness.

The organization helps relieve the family’s everyday needs and concerns to improve their ability to cope with their child’s illness from diagnosis through treatment, which can last many months or even years.

Proceeds from the 40th Birthday Party will help relieve families of the financial hardship of huge medical bills, enormous travel costs for daily hospital visits, mounting expenses for housing, childcare, sibling support, and other necessities when facing a health crisis.

To purchase tickets, visit www.friendsofkaren.org or contact Gwen Salmo at 914 617-4051.

25 Great Reasons to Discover Music in Chappaqua

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Proudly celebrating its silver anniversary–a quarter century of service, music and harmony in the community, Music in Chappaqua, lead by director Janet Angier, salutes its students past and present, thanks its outstanding faculty and is excited for the next 25 years of music making! Here’s why:

1. You’re Never Too Young: Early childhood beginners, middle school and high school students are encouraged and welcomed to take up an instrument or improve their skills with our award-winning faculty

2. …And, You’re Never Too Old: Stopped playing when life became busy with career and family? In celebration of our quarter century, Music in Chappaqua is offering new adult students a 15 percent discount to come play and study with us.  Just mention this article during the month of June for your first time discount..

3. Amazing Faculty: Enthusiastic, caring, supportive, encouraging, accomplished, and dedicated teachers on staff

4. We Listen to You: We match teachers with students’ learning styles, music preferences, and personalities

5. Award Winning Students: Whether you’re interested in classical music competitions, NYSSMA, NYSMTA, singer-songwriter or vocal competitions, our students are prepared to perform at their highest potential and go on to win across the board

6. Students Pursue Their Passions: Many of our students go on to continue their study at prestigious colleges and universities including The Manhattan School of Music, Interlochen Arts Academy, Julliard, Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University, Berklee, and more

7.  Students Become Professional Performers: Thriving careers in music started at Music in Chappaqua; such as world renowned mezzo soprano Stephanie Marshall, who now performs with the English National Opera, began her studies with our director, Janet Angier

8. All Genres of Music: Classical, Jazz, Broadway, Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Pop, Hip-hop, Rock, Progressive Rock, Metal and everything in between – we teach all styles and levels

9. All Instruments: Voice, Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophones, Trumpet, Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums, Songwriting, Harmonica, and Ukulele

10. Easy Scheduling: Open 7 days a week all year round; generally follows the public-school calendar, extremely flexible summer opportunities

11. Flexible Teaching Locations: Lessons are offered in our Chappaqua studios or in the comfort of your home

12. Custom Tailored Curriculum: Your musical aspirations, needs and wants are listened to and a custom tailored program is designed for your private lessons or Rock Workshop experience

13. Specialized Approach: We aim to suit each individual student’s personal artistic and educational requirements

14. Serving Pros and Non-Pros: From absolute beginners to professionals who are preparing to go into the recording studio, all levels of skill are welcome to study with us

15. Positive Learning Environment: With opportunities to meet and make new friends performing or collaborating in rock bands, songwriting sessions, and recitals

16. Confidence and Self Expression: Students are encouraged and inspired with enthusiasm and exuberance; we believe real music making creates students who are comfortable and confident in their performances and with who they are as a person

17. Regular Performance Opportunities: Year-round performances offered including Open Mic Nights, Singer-Songwriter Shows, Formal Recitals, and Rock & Roll Shows

18. Fantastic Performance Venues: Performances take place where so many stars have launched careers; notable venues have included Steinway Hall, The Wainwright House, Rockwood Music Hall, and NYC’s The Bitter End

19. Beautiful Facility: Clean, modern exterior and interior designs, a relaxing lobby welcomes students and guests with visibility into cutting-edge, lesson studios

20. State of the Art Equipment: Four grand pianos, a fully equipped Rock rehearsal room, plus the latest computer hardware and software, all designed to enhance the learning and performance process

21. Beautiful Landscaping: Modern culture, art, architecture and design tucked into a convenient Chappaqua location, our space exudes peace and tranquility; a proud recipient of The Beautification Award from the Town of New Castle

22. Summer Rock and Roll Camp: A highly successful day camp that runs for 6-week long sessions, The New York Rock Academy places kids and teens at any playing level into bands with others of similar age, musical taste, and playing ability

23. Giving Back to The Community: Local groups and activities are sponsored by Music in Chappaqua such as the Town of New Castle’s Summer Concert Series and the recent March For Our Lives Benefit Concert

24. A Trustworthy Business For 25 Years: Proudly celebrating a quarter century of service, music and harmony in the community

25. You! Music in Chappaqua looks forward to welcoming you into our studios soon!