Women's Exchange Awards Major Grant to Perlman Music Program

The board of directors of the recently awarded The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast (PMP/Suncoast) a $10,000 grant to fund the organization's Education Outreach Program.

PMP/Suncoast's development director, Margaret Ann Behrends, explains that the three-week in-school residency is entirely funded by PMP/Suncoast through grants, sponsorships and individual patrons.

"We're immensely grateful to the Women's Exchange for this formidable grant," says Behrends. "It will go a long way to serve a very valuable program."

Now in its fourth year, PMP/Suncoast's Education Outreach Program brings professional teaching musicians, alumni of The Perlman Music Program, into area schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties during three separate one-week residencies.

Members of the acclaimed Ariel Quartet were the artists-in-residence for the 2011-2012 season and will return for the 2012-2013 season during November, February and May to present interactive performances and hands-on training for area music students and their teachers.

"During this past season our Education Outreach Program served 15 schools and reached more than 4,000 students and their teachers," says Behrends. "This remarkable artistic and educational experience provides area music students and educators the rare opportunity to witness the creative process up close and to interact with professional musicians on a personal level. These encounters often lead students on journeys of artistic discovery, encouraging them to develop their own creative voices and passions. As a result, the program helps to cultivate new generations of classical music audiences and artists."

The PMP/Suncoast Education Outreach Program was launched in October 2009 with the support of The Juilliard School, Columbia University’s TeacherCollege, Toby and Itzhak Perlman and the faculty of The Perlman Music Program.

The program is led by long-time music educator and PMP/Suncoast board member Barbara Staton. Cindy Balistreri, the former fine arts program specialist for the School Board of Sarasota County, serves as the program’s consultant for developing the curriculum-based programming, connecting musical concepts with academic subjects and the Sunshine State Standards and coordinating with participating schools.

Elizabeth Power, PMP/Suncoast's executive director, says the organization is thrilled to receive such a substantial grant.

"The Women's Exchange consistently empowers our region's top non-profits to continue doing the good work they do," says Power. "This generous grant will help us bring world-class musical experiences to more young people in the community than ever before."