KEYS IMPACT 2023
keysmusic.org
Education is the Great Equalizer
Education is the most empowering force in the world. It creates knowledge, builds confidence, and breaks down barriers to opportunity.
Music Education Matters
Music education is just as crucial to children's development as learning subjects like Math, Science, and English. The aim of education is to offer a diverse range of experiences that enable children to gain a wide array of intellectual, emotional, and social skills.
2023
CT School Districts Arts Access:
41.3%
54.5%
60%
Bridgeport vs. CT Actual vs. CT Target
However, Access to Music Education is not Equal
Bridgeport public schools have the highest student enrollment in CT but lag behind in student's access to arts education.
Not all students have the same access to a high-quality music education - especially in Bridgeport. Very simply - the district’s schools are underfunded, and family financial resources are limited.
This is where KEYS bridges the gap
Young Bridgeport musicians turn to KEYS as part of a well-rounded education.
Since 2004,
KEYS has been a piece of the Academic Success Puzzle for Bridgeport students
by providing access to experiences and opportunities that empower young people, foster positive youth development, and prepare for a bright future.
Removing all
financial barriers
Reaching all grade levels
Providing Free access
Supporting
graduates
Creating a family network
to music lessons, instruments,
Saturday and Summer programs
from K through 12 and beyond to support a continuous music education
HOW?
KEYS makes difference by...
to a broad set of ensembles, performance opportunities, and summer programs that build and engage the community
with paid internships, access to scholarships and student monetary awards
What our students say...
“Through music, I started getting a lot more confident in my ability not only in the instrument, but in real life.”
JOCELYNN - Student
“Music has given me an outlet to create and learn from others and learn about myself as well.”
SANDRA - Intern
“Ever since 3rd grade I have played the drums and it helps me get through school because it’s not just doing work all day. I get to play music and it inspires me to keep going.”
EUGENE - Student
“Music has changed my life in a good way because I always thought I would never be able to play piano. Now that I am doing it, I enjoy the experience and it’s helped me grow.”
ANGEL - Student
Our Approach
Our unique In-School Model for music education offers an academic advantage to students by providing:
Opportunity
to develop the creative
skills to be self-directed
responsible, and engaged
Connection
through the transformative
relationships with teachers,
fellow music students,
and the community
Access
to enriching activities that foster self-esteem and creative self-expression
Support
through a network of community resources, internships, and access to scholarships and awards
Music motivates children to learn
Students who love learning have well-developed internal motivation. When students are motivated to learn something because they enjoy it, they fully engage in that topic and derive more benefits from it.*
*Evans, P. (2015). Self-determination theory: An approach to motivation in music education, Musicae Scientiae, 19 (1), 65-83.
Our Program
KEYS partners with schools that have higher needs and fewer resources
Norwalk
Stamford
Trumbull
Bridgeport
Monroe
Easton
Stratford
Fairfield
Our mission is Bridgeport, but we teach students throughout the greater Bridgeport area!
Why?
Students are able to continue with KEYS lessons even if they move or change schools.
This Music Scholarship approach promotes long-term engagement throughout their school years and beyond.
21
47
KEYS school programs M-F
during & after school
Other schools attended by KEYS scholarship participants
Over
5,600
students served since 2004
20%
grades K-4
55%
grades 5-8
25%
grades 9-12+
students by grade
Offering 20 Artistic Disciplines:
Ukulele
Jazz Band
Flute
Clarinet
Violin
Chorus
Drums
Bass
Viola
Electronic Music
Orchestra
Cello
Trumpet
Xylophone
Guitar
Piano
French Horn
Concert Band
Trombone
Saxophone
Our Impact
In order to thrive, young people need to develop a positive sense of self, set and achieve goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. These capacities are commonly called social and emotional learning (SEL).
This happens through the study of music!
Our parents and students provide the most unbiased, reliable insight into how our program supports student development.
In a recent survey, KEYS Parents reported....
healthy choices
GRADES
100%
81%
reported that using life skills their child learns through KEYS helps them make positive decisions in their everyday lives
reported that their child's grades improved during the time their child has taken KEYS music lessons
DISCIPLINE &
RESPONSIBILITY
attendance
78%
75%
reported that their child's school attendance improved as a result of KEYS music lessons
reported that their child's discipline and responsibility improved during the time their child has taken KEYS music lessons
It is a very enriching program. Music has a very positive impact on my daughter’s life. Keeps her focused and disciplined. The KEYS music program brings family and community together. KEYS ROCKS👍🏾❤️
-KEYS Parent
Research Continues to
Prove Music’s Lasting Impact
The National Association for Music Educators (NAME), the Arts Education
Partnership, and numerous studies confirm that music in schools is important for child development and significantly improves student outcomes.
Students reported that as part of the KEYS program, they...*
90%
86%
81%
87%
Challenge Growth
Believe they make good decisions
93%
Believe in keeping their promises
Can handle disappointment
93%
Manage Goals
82%
Believe learning music has helped improve preparation skills
90%
Engage Authentically
Believe KEYS teacher or ensemble director is a supportive figure they can turn to for assistance
Care about the impact of their decisions on others
Promote Peer Bonding
Enjoy collaborating with others
Aspire to be a positive role model for fellow music students
*February 2024 Saturday Program Survey- full report HERE
Our 2023 Highlights
KEYS is dedicated to inspiring and assisting our students
throughout their academic journeys, with
100% of students receiving FREE music lessons and instruments.
11,698
600+
Hours of music instruction
(in-person & virtual)
Students served
4,590
Hours of Summer Learning
76
Students participated in summer program
2,605
Summer meals & snacks served
50
Students participated weekly in Saturday Ensembles
100%
of KEYS HS seniors graduated high school
April
KEYS Concert Band performed at the SHU Community Theatre
Our band students had the wonderful opportunity to perform at the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre in Fairfield during the SHU Spring concert.
Event Highlights
May
Spring Concert
Our KEYS families and friends enjoyed a performance by our Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band and Chorus. Enjoy our Orchestra performing favorites such as “ET: Flying Theme” HERE.
June
Make Music Day
The KEYS Jazz Band performed at the Fairfield gazebo to celebrate the International Make Music Day on June 21st.
July-August
Summer Program
June
Our free 4-week summer program included students of all ages and ended with a special performance for family and friends. Enjoy highlights HERE.
Senior Awards
We celebrated our graduating seniors with families and teachers.
October
Spooky Suzuki
KEYS Orchestra students participated in this Suzuki School musical Halloween event at Gilbertie’s Farm in Westport.
November
Fall Benefit
Our Jazz Band performed for guests at the Shorehaven Golf Club as we honored our Founder, Rob Silvan.
Enjoy their performance HERE.
December
Winter Concert
We ended the year with a festive performance by our Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Chorus. Enjoy our Concert Band’s performance HERE.
Our Financials
Revenue - Our income comes from individuals (53%), grants (45%), and other (2%) sources.
Individual donor contributions during our spring appeal and fall benefit provide the majority of our annual funding.
Annual and multi-year leadership grants from corporate and nonprofit funders, including private family foundations, position KEYS for financial stability.
Expense - Labor is our largest annual expense!
Our music program is made possible by an amazingly talented group of paid resources:
41
Teaching Artists
12
Paid College Interns
3.5
Full-Time
Staff
We carefully manage our necessary non-program costs (e.g., rent, insurance, accounting, bookkeeping, fundraising).
Our collaborative partnerships with other organizations focus on bringing opportunities to Bridgeport students:
Who We Are
Board of Directors
(2023)
Russ Cooper -Chair
(until 8-31-23)
Jon Burleigh - Chair
(9-1-23 to present)
Greg Bauer
Reine C. Boyer, Esq.
Edwin Farrow
Andrew Foote
Max Jellinek
Amy Marshall
Adrienne Reedy
David Sachs
Rev. Sara D. Smith, Esq.
Shelita Washington
Bill Young
Leadership
(2023)
Karen Cobham - Executive Director
Rob Silvan - Founder/Artistic Director
Laurie Bradbury - Assistant Executive Director
Jen Bartlett - Marketing/Communications Director
Music Faculty
(2023)
MJ Alexander, Brass
Joe Basile, Trumpet/Band
Misty Beyer, Piano
Jennifer Brown, Violin
Jerome Burns, Brass
Josué Bustamante, Violin
Ernest Chamberlain, Piano, Band
Charlie Conti, Guitar
Madeleine Corliss, Cello
Andrew Crape, Violin
Dave Crespo, Guitar
Matthew DeTroy, Piano, Jazz Band
Eric Donnelly, Guitar
Jillian Emerson, Cello
Brian Ente, Percussion
Amy Griswold, Violin
Terrance Griswold, Woodwinds
Andrea Gómez, Violin
Jeremey Lombard, Piano
Ben Mazzola, Woodwinds
Corinne Metter, Violin, Viola
Andrea Mills, Cello
Jenny Ong, Piano
Edita Orlinyte, Violin, Piano
Tim Ouimette, Brass
Julie Overland, Violin, Piano
Evelyn Pellicane, Guitar
Victor Ramirez, Guitar
Peter Randazzo, Piano, Chorus
Michael Roche, KEYS Band Director, Brass
Amy Selig, Violin, Viola
Rob Silvan, KEYS Chorus & Jazz Band Director
Andrew Smith, KEYS Orchestra Conductor
Mary Speer, Piano
Greg Stan, Violin, Guitar
Audie Szymanski, Violin, Viola
Claudia Tondi, Violin, Viola
Ed Train, Electronic Music
Glen Ullman, Violin
Abby Gross Walker, Cello, Violin, Piano
George Wilkinson, Piano
KEYS Faculty - Summer 2023
We know that music education makes a difference in the lives of our young people in Bridgeport CT.
Thank you for being part of our community!
KEYS MUSIC
Mailing Address:
PO Box 532
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203)350-0255
admin@keysmusic.org
Program Address:
The nOURish Center
2200 North Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Photography by:
KEYS contributors (no stock images used)
Created by J. Bartlett
