In these tough economic times, many families don't have disposable income for music lessons. As a Music Link teacher, I can offer them partial or full scholarships and they feel good about being part... more
MusicLink Foundation
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Every year our professional organization holds a piano contest. My music link students are consistent winners in this contest. These students would not be able to participate without the music link benefits they receive. Many of my Music Link families are living on one income. The help they receive through the Music Link program greatly expands their opportunities for giving back to their community through the gift of music.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
offering opportunities for my students to take part in contests, summer camps and exams through the Music Link programs.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find more teachers to participate.
In these tough economic times, many families don't have disposable income for music lessons. As a Music Link teacher, I can offer them partial or full scholarships and they feel good about being part of the Music Link family. My best students are my Music Link students. They are very dedicated and appreciative. It's a win-win scenario.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
provide opportunities for budding musicians to further their experiences at summer camps and provide instruments to needy families.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I am a piano teacher with a studio in my home. I have several one-income families with multiple students taking lessons from me. Music Link has allowed these talented and dedicated students to explore the world of music. Our local music teacher's association allows music link students to participate in contests and piano exams free of charge. I have received free musicand music at a discount for my students. The parents of my music link students are very grateful, as they would not be able to afford lessons for their children. My favorite story is about Rachel. Rachel was learning to play piano on an old, small keyboard. Through Music Link, she was able to get "a real piano!" Now her sister and a brother are playing on that piano. The mom, Karen, has to ask them to stop playing on occasion! Music Link has certainly made a difference in my studio.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
pay the independent music teachers the difference in the fees they normally charge and the fees they charge Music Link students.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
MusicLink Foundation has the most brilliant concept for linking underprivileged students with professional musicians that is out there anywhere!~ I heard Joanne Haroutounian's presentation at my local VMTA Convention and my heart was touched by the generosity of one woman who has made it her mission to pioneer this wonderful Foundation creating musicians one student at a time!
I feel so privileged to be associated with MusicLink as a coordinator and hopefully as a volunteer teacher in the near future! I encourage teachers to consider teaching one student who otherwise would not be able to afford quality music instruction! Your life will be changed forever!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Through video and testimonies from teachers, I have seen how MusicLink has changed many student lives - giving them confidence they might never have gained.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I don't have a thing I would change! Why mess with something that is working exceptionally well?
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
I can't think of anything at this time
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I have found Sue Wege, Regional coordinator, to be one of the most generous people not only with her time, but with her kindness and attention to detail. After being out of the workforce for a few years, it is very motivational for me to get back into it again. I love it!~
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
ALIVE!~
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1997
I am proud to be a MusicLink teacher. As a MusicLink Foundation teacher, I volunteer my time to teach students who cannot afford to pay for lessons. I currently have five students. It is so difficult to put into words the joy and satisfaction that I have experienced from my MusicLink students. They have added a new dimension to my studio that had not existed. In order to understand what I am saying, you need to experience it firsthand. One needs to step out in faith that your studio CAN exist successfully without the few dollars that you might be donating to kids in situations that make life really tough to be optimistic. The excitement of knowing you have been a part of these students' introduction to music is good enough for me. I want to pubicly also thank the many music and related companies for their generous contributions to the MusicLink students. You are a big part of why MusicLink is successful and I am hoping that your participation will continue. Thank you so very much. Try it, you'll like it!!!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
watching a family struggle through the aftermath of domestic abuse and MusicLink Foundation providing two students from that family with a keyboard that they could have never afforded to purchase. It has allowed this family to focus on music as a escape.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
that earning big bucks for doing a service does not always reap the greatest rewards.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very dedicated to the mission statement of MusicLink Foundation.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Oh, my, let me count the ways. If someone was really interested in donating that kind of money, MusicLink students could realize dreams that they, thusfar, can only dream of. See me with a list of ideas.
Ways to make it better...
I had found and decided to participate earlier.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the numbers of students who live in families who are just on the brink of needing assistance with job cutbacks, job losses, etc.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
It's not every day that you can make a difference in the life of a child and their family, but with MusicLink this is possible. I've been involved with MusicLink as a teacher and a coordinator for many years and have seen the magic that happens when a teacher reaches out to a child to teach them music.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
hearing the words of gratitude from parents of MusicLink students who know they could never afford to bring private music lessons to their children.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
seeing the willingness of music teachers to reach out to children in need to share with them the gift of music.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very giving and committed to children who benefit from MusicLink.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
hire coordinators to link more teachers and students together.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I am the parent of a former student of Joanne Haroutounian, who is a successful pianst because of her. I have watched with pleasure and pride as the MusicLink Foundation has grown and flourished due to her hard work. Joanne is one of my heroes.
More feedback...
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
reach many more children and families, not just in the US but around the world.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
A service like no other! Joanne Haroutounian's vision of providing music lessons for gifted and interested students has helped so many young musicians that otherwise would not have had the personal attention needed to develop their gifts! The Promise to Practice campaign inspired my students to practice - in order to help provide lessons for other students. The strength is in the combination of vision, teachers, and music business support. A wonderful cooperative effort!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Working with other teachers and students - and hearing their stories. I used the Promise to Practice campaign for two years with wonderful results.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Working with Joanne - and the recording opportunity for the CD.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Open, helpful and generous with their time.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Build a stronger network with more opportunities for lessons for students.
Ways to make it better...
None
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
MusicLink began as a simple idea - link a student who is eager to learn music with a teacher who wants to bring music into this child's life. Who could ever imagine it would grow into a way to reach thousands of students nationwide with this simple 1+1 formula. As founder of the organization, I smile each day when I receive a thank you from a teacher or student who has grown from their experience working in the program. Continuous thanks to our wonderful coordinators, from local to regional levels, who tirelessly work to link every student who seeks lessons with a teacher wishing to "create a musician" through lessons. The real heart of the program - our students, who show how much they love music through their effort, practice, and joy when performing. Music is now a part of their life.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
establish long-term financial stability to secure organizational structure and bring music lessons to thousands more students each year.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I was funded by Music Link to learn to play the piano. Music link provided a professional piano teacher for me for three years, and the senior year of my high school I applied to multiple music conservatories such as Moravian College, Guilford College, GMU, and even Oberlin College as a music major. I got into all that I applied to. Music Link is such a wonderful program that give kids like me the opportunity to follow their dreams and follow their heart.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Teachers are wonderful, they are teachers as well as a parent. My teacher helped me appl for colleges. She drove me home after class if it was too cold or dark outside. She gave me her own pair of gloves and scarf when i didn't have my own.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help 100 million kids whose parents aren't able to pay for their kids music education and make a difference in thousands of families.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
When I opened my non-profit music school in 2001, I was searching for a way to engage the disadvantaged community in my musically elitist city of Madison, WI. I was thrilled to discover the MusicLink Foundation's system that fit perfectly into our existing programming. Joanne Haroutounian can take credit for enhancing the lives of so many talented children across the country. And the key word is "talented." How many students do us teachers teach that we know deep down will never really get anywhere in the world of music, but we need the income and so "take the money and run?" Most of them, I'd say. Yet the system of having community leaders identify children who show a special flair for music but do not have the resources to seek out private lessons makes it (for me) completely worthwhile. I love teaching, I love kids and I love teaching kids who are talented. I don't even notice the lack of $. I also love the challenge of finding teachers who are willing to be apart of this amazing program. Sincerely, Jo Simons, Director Community Music School, ltd Madison, WI
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
teaching low-income talented children, finding teachers who are willing to do the same. The regional coordinator Sue Wege has also rescued me many times - she's the best!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
see above
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the rewards of all of it.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
wonderful
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
make a movie about individuals who've made it
Ways to make it better...
the website weren't so complicated!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
?
One thing I'd also say is that...
I'm still as impressed by it all as I was 9 years ago when I first got involved.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I loved teaching with Music Link, think it is a wonderful program and just wish more families knew they could have lessons this way.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being able to provide lessons to a student I would not have known otherwise, who would not have afforded lessons otherwise.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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