A Story Of One of the Brightest Stars In Rockland's Constellation

The Story: In 2021, RCM celebrated its 65th anniversary of providing music education in Rockland County. As a community music school and center for the performing arts, RCM was created to provide quality professional music instruction to students of diverse ages, ethnicities, abilities and financial backgrounds and to provide a community forum for performing arts, culture and entertainment.

In celebration of RCM's 65th, Lisa Hayes of Creative Financial Planning,Inc. in Nyack, NY, made a gift to the school dedicated to two of her dear friends. The gift was made in honor of Jan Deats, for her almost 50-year involvement as the stellar Piano Department Chair and educator and in memory of Dick Voigt, whose vision and generosity landed the community music school in a building of their very own in Pearl River. Finally, a place to calltheir permanent and dynamic home.

Lisa Hayes shares her gifts of friendship lavishly with those she cares for, and in giving a gift to the music school, she extends that care to those students with whom she does not yet know.

The Honorees: Jan Deats has elevated the level of music education throughout her tenure at RCM, and Lisa Hayes acknowledged how important music is to the betterment of our society and the richness of our lives. She also knew how important it is to have a 'home base' that is professional, welcoming and state of the art.

Dick recognized the value of creating a beacon in the County for music education, and through his expertise and generosity, helped RCM secure a place for students to learn for decades to come.

The event: Public acknowledgement of this gift was delayed due to the pandemic, so on April 16th, 2024, in appreciation of this donation by LisaHayes and Creative Financial Planning. Remarks of gratitude were made by Marigene Kettler, RCM's Executive Director followed by Lisa Hayes comments on the outstanding qualities of Jan Deats and Dick Voigt, and she struck home the vital impact that music has on our communities and lives. Jan Deats graced the stage by playing a trio of pieces in gratitude and celebration. RCM created a special 'note' for its Symphony of Support, and it was installed on this musical staff-inspired sculpture in RCM's lobby.

Composed by

Marigene Kettler, Executive Director of the Rockland Conservatory of Music

45 S. Main Street Pearl River, NY 10965 845-356-1522

marigene@rocklandconservatory.org