The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Old School Players to New School Tools – How the Well Executed Pivot Made all the Difference

by

Dance Students from the Division of Fine and Performing Arts at Manhattanville College

To write that Covid was terrible for all educational programming, colleges and universities would be an understatement and perhaps not always true, so I won’t write that. Instead, I will write this: Covid forced educational programming, colleges and universities to decide whether or not they were willing and able to pivot; constantly. Those who were fortunate and creative enough to be willing and able are still open for enrollment. In fact, many admission offices are slammed with more student applicants than ever before. You can guess why….

Here I will share with you what I learned from individuals ‘in the know’ at two well respected local powerhouses of education in the area: Manhattanville College and Music Conservatory of Westchester.

“Streaming” was a common theme throughout our conversations; ranging from online performances and lessons to seminars and jam sessions, teachers and peers alike watched their audiences grow larger and larger as the viewers increased. Allowing their communities to access this functionality throughout the entire pandemic, in addition to equipping them with the proper toolbelt to do so, is truly a tribute to their dedication to education and unwavering ability to pivot. And pivot well. Enrollment and application numbers are healthier than ever!

Manhattanville College: Nurturing a Hub of ‘Intellectual Culture”

Clocking in at 180 years old (est. 1841), Manhattanville College is a private, liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Purchase, New York. Music, Studio Arts, Dance, Musical Theater, and Theater are just a few of the programs offered here. Olivier Fluchaire, D.M.A. Division Chair & Associate Professor of Music at the school took some time to chat with me about what life at Manhattanville College has been like over the last 18 plus months; his life, his students’ lives, and his faculty’s well-being as well.

Tailored education

 “Our 70-member expert faculty in the Fine and Performing Arts Division stood as one, caring and engaging our students through this excruciating year,” said Dr. Fluchaire, “never allowing instruction to be altered and continuing our endeavor to deliver a tailored, individual education, while sharing our devotion to intellectual culture and the fine and performing arts.”

Enrollment for the Fine and Performing Arts at Manhattanville College started a little later than normal this year with the majority of applications received during the spring semester instead of the fall because no one knew what school was going to be like this fall. However, once that unknown fear initially subsided, Manhattanville witnessed a 25% increase in deposits for the fall of 2021, compared to last year’s enrollment rate.

While some staff was familiar with the new demands of computer integration into the classroom, plenty of professors had to learn some new skills. After all, just because you are a professional singer doesn’t mean that you know how to turn a zoom call into a “gallery” view. Art galleries went from on-foot to in-pixel and video editing became just as important as posting to social media accounts across multiple platforms. This massive new online presence is certainly to blame for the uptick in enrollment. Staff adapted, upgraded their skills, and also grew in numbers as additional and new talent was necessary.  

Auditions at Manhattanville are very stringent and require three different videos from different works or three different paintings, dances, etc. Because everything was done online, with all live auditions canceled, applicants had to upload their video submissions, there was an added layer of difficulty for some of the students; or so, they thought. BUT more applicants and email inquiries than ever gave proof through the pandemic that their school was still there. 

Dr. Fluchaire credits online word of mouth, students having time at home, behind the scenes tapings, and a devoted community as some of the gold tokens to take away. Programs here will keep up this aspect of streaming as much as possible regardless of where the teaching takes place moving forward. It was THAT impactful. Nice pivot.

Music Conservatory of Westchester: Intensive Training and Stand Out Students

Clocking in at 92 years old (est. 1929), the Music Conservatory of Westchester provides quality music education for students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, with one-on-one instruction, performing ensembles, theory, composition, early childhood classes, lifelong learning for adults, and free community performances. Adriana Rivera, Manager of Communications & Marketing at MCW, spent time highlighting excellence within their community and a few remarkable students who are about to set forth on some incredible new beginnings.

MCW offers an intensive pre-college training program for talented high school instrumentalists and singers called MCW Prep. Similar to the other programming, these students too are selected by audition. Students enrolled in the program are offered a unique opportunity to study with master performers of the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. There is no other program in the New York State region that offers the chance for high school students to study with master teachers of this caliber.

Korliss Uecher, a soprano with the Metropolitan Opera and teacher at MCW Prep, didn’t seem to miss a beat with students who were graduating and ready to move in to the next chapter of their musical career. With the new inclusion of virtual lessons/ portals on their website and technology assistance as well, all aspects of the organization are churning out award-winning students whose academic achievements are also attributed to their study of music.

Two stand-out students that took this opportunity and experience, and who are about to set forth on new beginnings, are Palani DeMario and Ava Gallo-Grosskreuz. Both freshly graduated from high school during the most difficult of times and are ready to spread their talent and love for the fine and performing arts.

Palani is 18-years-old graduating from New Rochelle High School; a musical theater/pop singer who will be attending American Musical & Dramatic Academy in Fall 2021, Palani lives with his single mother who immigrated from Haiti. His mother is disabled, and Palani is the caretaker for her and two younger siblings. He sings in his school’s Select Choir and plays guitar.

Ava is also 18-years-old graduating from Hopewell Junction High School; a jazz/pop/contemporary singer, Ava will be attending Belmont University in Nashville to study in the Music Industry Program in Fall 2021.

So we conclude: Artists, Performers, Creators-alike burst with the type of passion that could never be silenced; not even by a pandemic. Driven by devotion, perseverance, art, and music, Manhattanville College and the Music Conservatory of Westchester not only survived but thrived. In the newly famous words of Eric Ries,“a pivot is a change in strategy without a change in vision.” Applause to a Proper Pivot.

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

by

 ‘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.

Classical Music on an Autumn Afternoon with Ani Kavafian

by

Internationally renowned violinist Ani Kavafian will be the featured artist in An Autumn Afternoon of Music, a benefit concert on Sunday, November 12 at the Music Conservatory of Westchester. String players from the Yale School of Music will join Ms. Kavafian in a performance of Mozart’s C Major Viola Quintet, as well as other selections from the string quartet repertoire.

Also on the program will be two works by composer and Conservatory board member Mary Lynn Marx Bianco, who grew up in Westchester and studied at the Conservatory.

The afternoon will begin with a concert at 3 p.m. in the Conservatory’s Helen Demetrios and Michael Stadther Recital Hall, followed by a reception with the artists. Ticket prices are $150 for a Premium ticket, and $100 for an Individual ticket. Proceeds from the benefit will support the Conservatory’s Scholarship, Music Therapy, and Healing Our Heroes programs.

Visit musicconservatory.org

Music Conservatory to Celebrate its Own Along with Stars at Golf & Tennis Classic

by

White Plains Board VP and Hawthorne Student Set to Shine at Fundraising Event



WHITE PLAINS — On June 26, the Music Conservatory of Westchester will hold a star-studded awards dinner following its 16th Annual Golf & Tennis Classic (16th Annual Golf and Tennis Classic) featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icon Darlene Love and Academy Award-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri. Yet, it’s two members within the not-for-profit community music school’s community who arguably might be the biggest stars of the show.

Larry Keiser

Laurence Keiser, who joined the Conservatory’s board in 2000 and currently serves as its Vice President, will receive the White Plains’ organization’s Distinguished Leadership Award for his years of service.  “He is incredibly generous in every way, supporting our mission, serving as Vice President, and connecting us to important community resources,” Jean Newton, the organization’s executive director, said.

“My philosophy may differ from that of some of my fellow board members, but we respect each other’s positions for the good of the Conservatory. I greatly respect the talents and dedication of those with whom I work,” Keiser said.

And while he’s “humbled” by receiving the honor, the White Plains resident stressed.

Alice

“I don’t do what I do for recognition. I do it out of love of music and this institution.”

Speaking of a love of music, Alice Cabral of Hawthorne will also have a big night on June 26. The 12-year-old voice student has shared her love of music with the Conservatory, and has honed her skills there since 2013. She will be the first recipient of the Darlene Love Vocal Scholarship that evening.

“Our Scholarship Program breaks down financial barriers, giving every student a chance to fulfill their musical dreams,” Newton said.  “Alice exemplifies this – she’s a dedicated, talented student and a wonderful young person.  We’re so proud of her.”

So is Alice’s mom Elsa Cabral. 

“It is an honor and a privilege to receive this scholarship under the name of Darlene Love. Alice is a very capable girl, she is persistent and responsible. I always tell her that with hard work, she can make her dreams come true.”

She continued, “I extend my thanks to the Music Conservatory. Thank you very much for believing in her and giving her this great opportunity.”


Chazz-Gianna-Palminteri
Darlene Love

Keiser and Cabral are part of a big evening for the Conservatory. Love will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her career in the arts. Chazz and wife Gianna will receive the Arts Achievement and Community Leadership Award for their extensive film and theatre credits, charitable work, and arts advocacy.

Performances by Tony-celebrated artists will follow the awards ceremony.  Two-time Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis will emcee and perform along with Tony nominees Robert Cuccioli and Mary Bridget Davies. Tony winner Adriane Lenox will also perform.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the school’s Music Therapy Institute, which provides music programs for those with special needs, its Healing Our Heroes program which provides music therapy for returning military veterans, and its Scholarship program for low-income students.

To purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit www.mcwevents.org For more information or to schedule an interview with any of the honorees or performers, please contact Noah or Andrew at Endless Staircase at staircaseconsulting@gmail.com.

Music Conservatory Students Meet a Master

by

itzak
Photo credit: Kate Koenig

Music Conservatory of Westchester students were thrilled to meet internationally renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman following his performance at the Westchester County Center on Jan. 30. Pictured behind Mr. Perlman (left to right): cello student Kaseme Leckie, viola student Cen Chen, Executive Director Jean Newton, and adult violin student Harry Bright. The Conservatory, a not-for-profit community music school, is located across the street from the County Center at 216 Central Ave. in White Plains.