MusicLink Foundation
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I have been involved with MusicLink for 7-8 years as a music teacher and have worked with four students during this time. Recently, I have helped two more children get involved in the program with teachers in my area. If it were not for the Music Link program, none of the these children would be able to afford music lessons. Each of the families has been very grateful for the opportunity and each person I have worked with has worked very hard on the assignments I give them. Through the MusicLink Foundation, we have found a piano on Craig's list for one of the new students. The owner decided to donate it and MusicLink will cover the cost of moving the piano to the student's home. For me, it has been very rewarding to offer lessons to these children. My second music link student graduated from high school and is attending college now. Recently, she was visiting in town and she and I were able to perform a duet during church. She had practiced and played her part beautifully.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
connections MusicLink has made with music publishers and stores who have generously offered large discounts on music I purchase for my musiclink students.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
giving an opportunity to someone who otherwise would not be able to learn music. I love seeing the proud parents and knowing how grateful they are for what their children are accomplishing.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have watched, in wonder, as music student after music student has moved through their lives reframing how they saw themselves as a result of the caring support of MusicLink teachers. Year after year, successful performance after successful performance, these children in need built a strong sense of themselves as disciplined, capable and an important part of the musical community. Most, have gone on to win scholarships to universities and colleges. Often being the first person in their families to ever go to college. MusicLink is about music and a whole lot more!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have watched, in wonder, as music student after music student has moved through their lives reframing how they saw themselves as a result of the caring support of MusicLink teachers. Year after year, successful performance after successful performance,
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Change the world, one student/teacher at a time.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
A year and a half ago I was desperately in search of HELP! I had taken in 3 young relatives only to discover that each one had unique social/developmental issues, and together their issues were compounded as they bounced off each other. Trying to manage them was like trying to organize a sit down dinner on Noah's Ark. Someone familiar with the chaos in our home gave me the contact number for this group. The MusicLink Foundation and the volunteer teachers who gave us lessons have worked a miracle in our lives! Although the children are still a handfull they have developed a level of discipline I never thought I'd see as they compete to show off who can play more of their songs with the fewest errors. Truly music has "..soothed the savage breast." As an added bonus, learning to play an instrument has raised their standing among their classmates at school and given them more confidence in their ability to learn anything else. And recently, when my own son's cello was broken (a loss I sadly could not afford to replace) they came through in the most unexpected and wonderful way for him. Life isn't always fair, but people like this who give of their time and talents to help improve children's experience are a gift. I only hope that someday I will be in a position to contribute toward the continuation of their good works.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the way my children can now focus on a task, learn to work through mistakes, and follow through on a plan.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
lobby for teacher's 'free' lessons to be tax credit eligible.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the caring and persistant follow through of both the program administrator and the teachers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
wonderful..supportive..dedicated.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the lives of so many at-risk kids, like mine. Without an experience like these lessons my kids would see themselves in gangs and running the streets. Now they see themselves in orchestras and leadership roles. Their self expectations have changed.
Ways to make it better...
These folks did EVERYTHING to accommodate my harried, single parent, single wage earner, overscheduled life. THEY made the lessons work. I could not have asked for anything more.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
lack of funding. If only people could understand the effect of children seeing themselves in a different light and project into those children's futures..we COULD change the world one child at a time
One thing I'd also say is that...
this Foundation could use more publicity! I don't know how long it has been in this state but I'd never heard of it.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
The MusicLink program inspired me to offer a scholarship to a young girl who would not otherwise have been able to afford piano lessons. After 4 years in the program she not only plays the piano very well, but has also now added violin and percussion playing. She loves music of all kinds and has developed extreme confidence. I have no doubt that she is a future leader, not only in musical activities, but in life. As an educator, I'm of the opinion that every teacher needs to offer one scholarship at all times. Great things happen to everyone involved as a result.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the lives of young people!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help teachers defray costs.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
results.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
kind-hearted.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
make a huge positive difference.
Ways to make it better...
there was less paperwork to do!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
financial.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I hope to be involved again in the future.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
The director of our school, The Camden Music School, helped to link the teachers up with MusicLink. At first, I was skeptical (I thought there would be a 'catch' to the offer of help) but I was proven wrong. The MusikLink program truly shares the same belief as the Camden Music School. Both groups want to bring the gift and wonder of music to people that simply can not afford it. Well, it is working! With the MusicLinks helping hands, we are able to provide beginning books for our students that truly can't afford books, let alone lessons or an instrument. We dreamed of a wonderful grand piano and had saved 800 dollars for it.(miles to go) Out of the blue, we recieved a call from MusikLink asking if we could use a grand piano. That was truly a dream come true. It was a very proud day for us to have our first recital playing that grand piano. MusikLink is truly a group that lets their actions speak louder than words. I personally thank them as a teacher of the underserved population. MusikLink IS making a difference in the lives of my kids. I see it in my students personalities and on their faces, where it counts. I can't thank MusikLink enough.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the faces and personalities of my kids. They enter our program very shy and withdrawn, or compensating by attitude, and become amazing individuals. Not all will succeed at music, but they have been given the chance to try, and that is the important thing in the long run.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Also set up perhaps an instrument lending library so that kids that can't afford the instrument could possibly have access to a used electric piano( for portability and storage sake) and own it after time. Many of my students do not have a piano to practice on at home. They do not have the space or money to move even a free piano. Our school has donated many electric pianos that have come to us, but we keep 7 maintained for piano classes.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the fact that they truly give to the kids our school works with to help them succeed.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The staff that we have met are very caring individuals. They are our little birds in music. They email to let us know of an event or idea and then it happens, that magical music connection.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
provide even more life changing music to children that are not able to purchase the books, lessons and instruments that are required.
Ways to make it better...
If somehow, my kids could then turn around and give back mentoring other kids in the MusikLink program, but I suppose that is kind of hard, because we keep our kids that recieve help from MusikLink annonymous for their sake.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
that there are not enough dollars and people power to cover all the that desire, but will never be able to afford music.a
One thing I'd also say is that...
the MusikLink group has moved mountains with what they have. Imagine what THEY can do with a helping donation.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Bamber Valley Elementary School became familiar with the Music Link Program when a representative from the organization contacted our school. Our school has been participating in this program for two years. We have received excellent feedback on this program from staff, students and parents.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
increase students’ self–confidence in their musical talents and in their life.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
continue to find piano teachers to teach elementary students.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
students are learning the foundations of music.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very caring.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
provide piano lessons to every student who had musical talents.
Ways to make it better...
Everything turned out great!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
finding volunteers to offer lessons to the students and working out a schedule.
One thing I'd also say is that...
we appreciate everyone who works in the organization.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I first learned of the Musiclink Foundation from the director of my children's music school at a time when we were struggling to pay for lessons. We applied for a summer scholarship, and, as a result, my kids were able to attend a wonderful string camp. This was only the beginning, however, as we have continued to struggle financially, the Musiclink Foundation has provided wonderful support. My oldest son attended their conference in Virginia last June and received a beautiful viola. Then, around Christmastime, my youngest son received his very own cello. I feel truly blessed to have come to know this foundation; they have helped our family out more that I could have ever wished or imagined.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the way they have treated my children and helped them to not only continue their musical studies, but excel in them as well (with new instruments).
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the wonderful people who work there and the happy smiles on my kids' faces.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
amazing.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help so many more children.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I learned of the MusicLink Foundation at a music EXPO put on by Schmitt Music, in the Minneapolis area. For several years I had wanted to try to teach piano lessons to children from homes who could not afford lessons. But I knew that most did not have access to a piano. Then I met the Minnesota MusicLink representative, and thus began a wonderful chapter in my piano lessons history. I currently teach 15 students, and 6 of them receive lessons from no pay up to half price. Then, they have each received an electric keyboard for a time, which has been replaced by a real piano eventually. If they continue lessons through MusicLink for 4 years, they are allowed to keep the piano. Of all the students I've had over the past several years, they have all worked hard, and the families have been so blessed and appreciative. I, too, have been much blessed. Our Minnesota representative is VERY supportive of everything we do, as is the national organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
All the students I've taught!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Not change a thing.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Watching these children, some immigrants, who are thriving with their piano lessons.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Great people!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Provide more services in more areas of music.
Ways to make it better...
It couldn't be better!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Finding teachers who will teach all the students who could use them!
One thing I'd also say is that...
I highly recommend the MusicLink Foundation. They are ethical, responsible, sincere, and dedicated.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
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