Foundation To Assist Young Musicians (FAYM)

I am so proud to witness how my child thrived at FAYM. Not only did she learn how to play the violin impeccably, she gained confidence and cohesive collaboration along the way. That is priceless.

FAYM has the most passionate and dedicated teachers I’ve ever seen and we are truly fortunate to be part of such an amazing team.

We have been with FAYM for almost 4 years. I find it hard to believe how much my daughter's have learned and grown while in this amazing program. All thanks to the founder's, teachers and donor's that make it all possible. Please consider donating to keep this program going, so that more and more kids are given the opportunity to experience the gift of music.

I have been delighted to be a regular contributor to FAYM! What they have accomplished in just sixteen years is remarkable. FAYM has offered after school music lessons (violin & cello) to children in 1st grade thro 6th grades in low-income neighborhoods in Las Vegas. Everything is furnished....2-4 lessons a week, instruments & materials, field trips, and expert instruction for just a suggested $25 per month. Parents are encouraged to join in making music and are also provided instruments. I can think of no better way to help youngsters expand their horizons than to support FAYM. Please join the FAYMily today!

While Googling something I came upon Foundation to Assist Young Musicians. I am a violin teacher and so I thought I would volunteer. I met with the founder, Hal Weller, and was pleased with what the organization was doing for kids. It has since grown but my two classes of beginners are just as wonderful as all the other beginner classes that have come before. With the available resources of violins and cellos, these kids learn so much not only about music but about being kind and positive people. They have the opportunity to participate from elementary to high school and have scholarships along the way for private lessons. If students want to become professional musicians, there is also mentoring. It is a wonderful program and I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with FAYM.

This is one of the truly great non-profit organizations assisting in presenting a music program for at risk children of which many can not even pay the &15 a month charge for music lessons. The club makes no effort to get the kids to lessons and recitals meaning the family is fully responsible to get their children involved. Providing lessons and instruments to students from kindergarten to grade 8, numbers North of 150. Positive #5.

15 years ago I joined Hal Weller in creating the Violins for Kids program as part the Foundation to Assist Young Musicians aka FAYM. As a retired educator I was very aware of the positive impact that learning to play an instrument has on our youngsters. We focused on young children from the inner city as they would probably not have the opportunity to start playing an instrument till 6th grade in the public school system. I have been on the Board of Directors of FAYM for 15 years and am very pleased with the commitment and dedication our Board has to assure that 100% of donations to this registered non-profit goes directly to teaching music to our students, providing all the supplies and materials needed, and also provides college scholarships to assist deserving students. I am very proud of FAYM and am very pleased to be a part of this wonderful organization!

I started off with FAYM as a 6th grader on the cello. They provide me a with a cello to begin my musical journey, and I've enjoyed every step of the way since then. The staff are very supportive and find different ways to inspire us to continue our musical education.

I have loved FAYM ever since I started with them. This organization has helped a lot, providing me with a violin to play. They have also helped by giving me classes on how to play the violin. I think FAYM is the best for people who want to learn how to play a string instrument.

FAYM is a great organization that has assisted me in my musical education. I began with FAYM learning the cello during 2020. Even during the time of the pandemic, I was still able to learn lots of techniques that I could use in my cello playing. The staff at FAYM are very supporting and I appreciate their genorosity and their ability to keep inspiring me with music.

I have had the privilege of being part of this foundation since 2013. Thanks to the fact that they gave my son the opportunity to be part of it and welcomed me as part of the faym family giving me the opportunity to see my son develop his musical skills, I have also had the pleasure of serving on the board of directors as parent representative, president and currently secretary and even though my son is no longer a faym student I continue with this foundation because I truly believe in what it represents for all the families they serve

I am so very honored to be a part of this wonderful organization, providing music education to children from under-served communities in the Las Vegas valley.
From the enthusiasm shown by our students and dedication of our professional teachers and staff to the support shown by the families and communities we serve,
FAYM is on top of the game fulfilling its mission and goals. I urge everyone to support this meaningful cause.

FAYM is in amazing organization! It provides an invaluable cultural resource and opportunity for the community of Las Vegas! It provides so much needed in this day and age creative outlet for our kids! FAYM has top notch faculty that brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the students! There is private lessons, coaching, orchestra, mariachi… you name it! Another aspect of the program is that it provides not only practical instruction but also provides kids with instruments in many cases which they get to keep! Thank you FAYM for everything you do and keep inspiring our community!

Hello My name is Guadalupe! and I Would like to thank FAYM for all the support throughout my years of being a musician. I've been in faym since I was in kindergarten, now I'm a freshman in college and still continue to be in faym. I have been in faym for around 13 years, back when we started we were around 15 kids and believe it or not I was the only one left ! I am honestly so proud of all the hard work that this program has done. I love seeing the enthusiasm that children have when they are playing or simply when they are in class communicating with everyone. FAYM has been such an amazing experience and I 100% recommend!! FAYM has the best communication and close parent meetings where everyone gives their own opinions and make everything work. Parents in FAYM are able to stay and help in any way possible to make concerts go well, bring food or help with any decorations needed. I think that this program has amazing flexible schedules for everyone and I absolutely love the fact that we are able to have concerts and show our parents the knowledge that we have gained throughout the school year. In FAYM i was able to express myself through music and completely Turned into a passion I can't let go of. I am now a mariachi violinist/vocalist and appreciate all the knowledge I received. FAYM brings so many opportunities that myself and many other kids were and ARE able to experience. Like the golden violin award where you are able to audition a song a couple of scales for you to get an amazing quality instrument to yourself. FAYM has so many programs and where you not only learn how to play violin, but you are able to learn cello, guitar and vihuela! Overall this experience with FAYM is something I'll forever appreciate. Thank you FAYM!

I have known both the Founder, Harold Weller and past President of Board of Directors, Arturo Ochoa over the last 5years.
I have always been impressed with their mission and the work they have done with the youth in the Clark County Community.
My non-profit organization, L'Bella Arts In Motion, Inc attended their annual Christmas Recital in December, 2021. I was very impressed with the talent of the youth.

This is such an amazing foundation who gives their all and don’t expect anything other than talented and grateful students. The teachers and board members are all very kind and patient with all their students. Very grateful to be a part of this great organization!

FAYM started up when I was well into my violin journey. Since I was and am affiliated with the founders, I was often brought in to show the kids what dedicated practice could do, as I was very close in age to a lot of the students. It was so amazing to see how their faces would light up when they realized what they could do with the opportunities FAYM gave them. They worked hard, grew, and developed their abilities. FAYM has inspired me to start my own music non profit someday, or to even open a branch of FAYM in another city or state. What they do is wonderful, and it is part of my dream to continue to work towards that goal of giving children the opportunity to experience the joys of music.

In addition, they’ve also been helping me to fulfill these dreams. When I graduated high school, I had the opportunity to audition for a scholarship with them. I won one! This scholarship, dedicated to music, has helped me in instrument repairs, music purchases, and so much more. Without it, I’m not sure if I could have afforded to have a crack in the body of my violin repaired. This scholarship has been such a blessing to me, and I am ever grateful to FAYM for granting it to me.

The mission of this organization is to assist young musicians in their musical education. In addition to helping disadvantaged children financially in their music studies, FAYM also provides scholarships to exceptionally talented students as they go on to advanced studies and professional careers in music. FAYM is among a number of such organizations in the United States that seek to improve communities by educating the young through access to great music. Many research studies have shown the this effort creates a sense of community and lowers the social problems associated with kids who need a way to become involved in meaningful activity.

Please consider donating to FAYM. It is a true non-profit led by Amazing people. They bring music lessons to families that otherwise wouldnt be able to afford it! Your donation will directly effect these kids, music is a life changing gift!

My daughter always wanted to play Violin, but we couldn't afford it - and it broke my heart as a mom.....until we found FAYM.

Now my daughter is a confident Violin Rockstar! I cant thank FAYM enough!! She's performed In many Concerts-in a group, private, and with the Orchestra -and she's only 9yrs old!!

They have professional musicians that teach these kids in Violin, Cello, Guitar, Orchestra, and Mariachi.They offer scholarships to colleges and help with career placement. They give FREE instruments, resin, music stands- everything needed to help the child succeed.

They put on beautiful concerts where the kids are beaming with pride. They offer a needed safe, encouraging place that allows all children from every background a place to shine!

In 2003 I wrote the grant (Grants Management, Clark County School District, Las Vegas) that was funded, was for $1,200,000 dollars, and was for three years. The Principal of Sunrise Acres ES, one of three poor schools, was Arturo Ochoa. We met at Sunrise. Hal wanted to start violin program for kindergartners. Everyone agreed. Fast forward: the students appeared with Las Vegas Symphony Orchestra at its annual 4th of July concert. They're were 10 students and two volunteer teachers. Now it's grown to 200 students, 10 paid teachers, and three instructional sites. FAYM also has awarded collegiate scholarships ($2000 a year for four years) to 20+ students who major in music at such places as the Oberlin Conservatory, Indiana University, Eastman School of Music, Interlochen Music Academy and others. I love FAYM!

I've been involved with FAYM for about 7 years. My children are grown, but the mission of FAYM, and the people they work with, touched something within my heart. Seeing the students, from the very first time they handle an instrument, to a few years later, when their proficiency and talent is evident, confirms my belief in FAYM's service.

FAYM touches not only the kids, but their entire families. I'm so proud to be a part of this amazing organization.

Although I do not live in Las Vegas it is important to support FAYM because as the musician friends who told me about their delight in working with FAYM said these kids are the future of our country. FAYM students work hard to learn how to play a stringed instrument and as a result have more confidence and do better in school. While a few will become professional musicians all will have a creative outlet and enjoy music. It has been wonderful to see FAYM grown and support more students.

Since I was 5 years old I have played the violin and after finishing school I decided to dedicate myself to it. My goal has always been to study abroad, since I could get more study opportunities than in Peru; however I had no idea how to achieve it. One of the aspects that limited my progress was the instrument with which I studied; It was precisely in the search for opportunities that Mr. Weller came into my life, who presented my case to FAYM. With much effort and hope, in 2018 I received an old violin from FAYM that has allowed me to develop efficiently. Also thanks to FAYM, since 2019 I have the possibility of studying at the Conservatory of the Universidad Mayor de Santiago, in Chile. FAYM has been a blessing in my life, they adopted me as part of the family, they have always shown sincere appreciation and concern for me, and I dream in the future to be able to actively collaborate with them.
I could qualify FAYM and its collaborators as a real, honest and humane organization. I will always be grateful to them.

It was an honor and a privilege to serve as the host orchestra for one of FAYM's first scholarship recipients, Krzysztof Rucinski (violin). From start to finish, the experience was musically rewarding and an amazing opportunity for both a young artist and an equally young orchestra. Not only did Krzysztof and the orchestra benefit tremendously from this collaboration, but so did the audience - which was totally enthralled with the high-calibre of not only his musicianship but also his personality! Some 10 years later, members of the orchestra are still reflecting on the experience and how empowering it was for them to see such a young violinist excel in this manner. Many of these instrumentalists still follow his career and keep in touch with him. Music truly builds communities regardless of the physical distance between people.

FAYM provides one of the far-too-few opportunities for the "next generation" to experience the joy of learning and performing music. In a culture that continues to enjoy and embrace the arts, but not fund them, FAYM is that bright glimmer of hope ... a model to be supported, copied, and shared widely. It would be my honor to again find an opportunity to work with FAYM to promote a young artist(s).

--- Sean Paul Mills, D.M.A.
Founding Artistic Director & Conductor, Willamette Valley Symphony (Corvallis, Oregon)

Best Group of teachers 100% dedication passion for music,profesional the best ,im very proud to say my kids take music lessons here.

Nuestra familia ama FAYM, es una fundación que nos facilita de una manera extraordinaria el acercamiento al arte de la musica a nuestra hija, nos sentimos muy agradecidos con esta fundación, los 3 pilares que trabajan arduamente para que esta fundación siga de pie haciendo un trabajo extra por amor a la musica Harold Weller, Señor Juan Soto y Señor Arturo Ochoa, y por supuesto cuenta con grandes profesores entregados y dedicados a enseñar sus talentos musicales para hacer de FAYM un escuela de gran prestigio y excelencia docente musicalmente hablando, Tim Thomas un excelente profesor disciplinado y entregado a su trabajo. Nuestro mayor agradecimiento a Mrs. Candace Kahulumealani Chun por su apoyo en estos tiempos tan difíciles y distanciamiento, usted maestra siempre a estado ahí para nosotros y sus clases virtuales han echó que Carla siga practicando su violín, por sus enseñanzas con el ❤ y lo que le caracteriza a usted paciencia, ha sido un soporte para Carla... Gracias FAYM a todos los profesores y las personas que hacen posible que FAYM siga abriendo sus puertas año con año a nuestra comunidad Nevadence, Dios los Bendiga. Fam. Beltran Delgado.

I am an amateur violist and first learned of FAYM at one of their presentations here in a retirement home. I had a violin that I had not played for some time and happily donated it to FAYM. After seeing the dedication of the staff, the enthusiasm of the children, and the support by their parents, it was abundantly clear, particularly during these times of limited musical education, that FAYM would finally and. by far, be the best home for my instrument

FAYM has been the source of inspiration to so many of us interested in promoting the arts amongst our youth, especially our underserved youth. The importance of such an organization, not only to the fields of music performance and music appreciation but to our society at large, cannot be underestimated. I have seen firsthand the much needed humanity at work through FAYM.

FAYM has helped many kids experience the art of music at a young age which normally doesn’t happen unless you get private lessons or take a course in middle school. They brought opportunities to many kids and have the best teachers with over 7 years of experience. FAYM isn’t just a program but it is a family that continuously grows.

I have been working with FAYM for 6 years. I absolutely love and believe in their mission to educate and empower young musicians. As an economically disadvantaged youth I would have loved a program like FAYM. The students are hard working and the parents are dedicated to the success of the program. I cannot say enough good things about it!

Many thanks to Mr. Weller for recognizing and supporting the hard work and dedication that our son Liam has invested in becoming a violinist. Mr. Weller and FAYM have graciously offered to help support Liam as he begins his studies at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music this fall. Thank you, Mr. Weller, and FAYM, for all that you have done for the community of Las Vegas and for our young musicians.

A HUGE thank you to Mr. Weller and the Foundation to Assist Young Musicians. My son has been faced with so many challenges in his young life and music has always been a shelter in the storms. On top of everything else, I became unemployed and his mother was diagnosed with cancer. With these two things our financial resources quickly dried up.

Derek has been playing double bass for several years now and he has had to borrow instruments to practice and perform with. He has goals of one day playing in college and possibly professionally and desperately needed his own instrument to help him along this path. We had no way to provide this for him. It was at this point that FAYM entered our lives.

We were told of FAYM by a good friend. We contacted Mr. Weller and he and his network of wonderful people took a personal interest in our son. We are just so humbled and grateful for the amazing work that FAYM did searching for and finding an instrument for our son. Mr. Weller and his colleagues found an instrument, met with us and the former owner, inspected it and, quite unexpectedly, even purchased it for Derek!

We are absolutely blown away by the generosity, kindness and compassion of FAYM and we are eternally grateful for all they have done for our family. We look forward to building a relationship with them and doing what we can to help another child have the kind of smile that my son had when given the gift of music.

Thank you FAYM!

Rob Grace
Las Vegas, NV

It's about so much more than learning a musical instrument. It's about giving kids a chance to see themselves as worthy, capable and beautiful -- and that in turn helps them become the wise, compassionate citizens of tomorrow who will make this world a better place.

What FAYM has accomplished in helping young artists, and exciting an awareness of the benefits of musical training in the community, is nothing short of remarkable. I cannot imagine how my career in music would have been possible without the support and encouragement of mentors the likes of FAYM. I consider it a privilege to support this organization because the recipients of FAYM's mission will undoubtedly bring enrichment and beauty to all the lives they touch. FAYM's fame is spreading like wildflowers! Thank goodness for that!

Gary Karr, solo double bassist now retired

My name is Joshua Sjoen, and I am a graduate composition student at UNLV. I would like to give a big thanks to Mr. Harold Weller, Trustee of the Foundation to Assist Young Musicians for his generous donation of a brand new full size Kurzweil Electronic Keyboard! And also a big thanks to Mr. Bob Thompson, the original donor! If not for this generosity, I would have a fairly difficult time with my work. The keyboard is a big part of my life now, as it is the most important resource that I use while I compose. So far, I have only used it for composing, but as a musician trying to get my foot in the music scene here in Las Vegas, I see great potential in its uses for performance as well. Keyboards are just the most useful tool for any musician! Although I have had limited interaction with FAYM, I would love to be more involved with such a fantastic organization, where the love of music flourishes in the hearts of today's youth.

Mr Weller, the Trustee of the Foundation, together with my adult kids made it possible for me to attend my youngest son's, Krzysztof, graduation recital at the Eastman School of Music in April, 2012. Krzysztof, the first protege of the Foundation, has been able to develop his skills as a violinist and musician for the last four years and in three days’ time Krzysztof is going to graduate from Eastman School of Music with Bachelor of Music degree. If not the Foundation's financial support and Mr Weller's constant encouragement, Kristof's dream of studying in the USA would have remained only an unfullfilled dream. I am so happy, proud, grateful and just amazed that Mr Weller and his Foundation not only have provided Krzysztof with such wonderful education, but also made it possible for me and Kris to be together at Krzysztof’s important moment of life. It meant so much for us. Thank you, Mr Weller!!!

Harold Weller and FAYM change people's lives and bring the beauty of music into hearts and souls!

As the first recipient of the FAYM Fellowship Award I take great pride and honor in knowing that this non-profit is truly dedicated to bringing music back into our culture and giving the "forgotten children" a warm welcome into the music world. FAYM provides assistance in scholarship form to musicians all across the world! My role with the organization is coordinator of the Violins for Kids Project and media director for FAYM overall. I love doing what I do, the thing that I love best is probably seeing parents take an active role in the education of their children, some of them are even learning how to play the violin themselves! Last but not least I just can't say enough good words about the wonderful man behind FAYM. Hal has proved to me that there are still honest people who want nothing else than to accomplish something greater than yourself. He has served as a great mentor, role model, father figure and friend. If you want to give to an organization that impacts the lives of young musician's directly, please give to FAYM!

Thanks to Hal Weller and The Foundation to Assist Young Musicians ("FAYM") my cousin, Anthony Trionfo, is now attending the world's first and foremost fine arts boarding high school INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY: www.academy.interlochen.org



Hal & FAYM along with their most generous resources were Anthony's champions in securing the largest scholarship awarded in Interlochen's history. They continue to support him with funding for the balance of his tuition as well as offering guidance to Anthony as realizes his potential and the opportunity afforded him in his new environment.



Anthony has thrived at Interlochen. He is a 15 year old flutist and after only 2 months at the school he was declared the winner of its prestigious Concerto Competition. This is the TOP performance honor awarded by the school and this means that Anthony has been recognized as the best of the best on a worldwide scale.



The mission statement of FAYM is to "encourage and support gifted young musicians in early training, advanced study, and professional career development, specifically those who are in need of financial and/or mentoring support."



FAYM is succeeding in fulfilling its mission.

Anthony would not have been in this most incredible position without Hal Weller and FAYM. Our family is eternally grateful and hope others will help support the foundation and its work.



Sincerely

Valerie Trionfo

Harold Weller, Trustee of the Foundation, is an incredibly generous man. He put me in touch with Teller (of Penn & Teller) - a wonderful magician and one of the greatest creative minds in the world of theater. The foundation arranged for private meetings with Teller in Las Vegas, NV. Collaborating with Teller has been extremely inspirational. As a pianist and a magician, I've encountered mixed reviews from the conservative classical world regarding my concept of blending the two art forms into one performance. Mr. Weller, however, was always open to my new ideas. I'm impressed with the breadth of vision and imagination demonstrated by the foundation's principles. Thank you Harold Weller and thank you Foundation to Assist Young Musicians for making my dreams come true.

FAYM takes a leading role in one of the most important aspects of being a musician in our time, helping YOUNG people, YOUNG musicians to establish themselves in the wide, glorious world of music. I know without FAYM and Hal Weller, many young musicians would not be where they are, at all. FAYM RULES! And, from what I can see from Mr. Weller's ways, it's only set to help more, and more, and more great young musicians, who really do need a helping hand in life! From my own experience, Mr Weller is a kind, generous, and very knowlegable man, who offers great and sound advice, and always puts himself out of his way to help others. All they need now is more people to help them with funding, and I'm sure many will! Alex Prior

I'm a piano student from Australia. In early 2008 I went to the United States, for auditions at the universities of Las Vegas and Colorado - these were organised by Maestro Weller. It was through his influence and that of FAYM, that I received a scholarship at the university of Las Vegas. Unfortunately due to personal circumstances I was not able to take up the offer, but I am very grateful for the opportunity and support that Maestro Weller and FAYM offered.

It is crucial to involve the youth of the community in order to achieve ongoing and lasting support for the arts. FAYM has captured the interest and the hearts of many by doing just this in their programs.

This cause is the most life changing experience I've seen in my life. When I see someone being chnaged by this foundation it puts a smile on my face.

I love music. Any help I can give to a young musician makes me feel great! Music is very important. I want these young people to have an opportunity to do what they love!

They don't seem to really do much what the money given. They just apparently hand it out to who ever they know and that's it instead of being an open thing maybe for auditions or expanding out to reach more people instead of who they please. They raise money for what ever benefits them. NOT GOOD

My experience with FAYM is not at breadth, but lies within the dedication and passion of one meeting with Hal Weller, who was willing to take time out of his busy schedule to tell MWR Project Inc about his program to help young musicians and explore opportunities to help each other. The Facebook groups' population, which I understand is only a portion of FAYM's total patrons, is more of the testament to his devotion and persistence for a cause that he has worked successfully to develop and continues to support - so I support FAYM!

As a volunteer teacher with FAYM, I've been working with kindergarten kids with much enthusiasm and passion. I contribute to FAYM violin program more than 10 hours a week teaching kids the basics on how to play the violin, and I hope they can build self-esteem and confidence by devoloping their talents and being a well-round citizen of this country.

Since launching the Foundation to Assist Young Musicians (FAYM) in December 2007, the public's response has been overwhelmingly positive. FAYM has been able to help young musicians through scholarship assistance, mentoring, and professional career advancement opportunities. Additionally FAYM has created an inner city violin program for kindergarten age children in southern Nevada that has proven to be of great value in providing an activity of substance for entire families and serves as a prototype program for further expansion. FAYM's support comes from many sources -- generous people in 18 States of the Union & the District of Columbia as well as Australia, Canada, China, Poland, & Puerto Rico have made contributions. FAYM has over 9,100 supporters on Facebook who have donated over $5,300 -- giving FAYM third place out of the 29,378 Arts & Culture causes on Facebook in terms of money raised. All of this has been achieved as a totally volunteer labor of love on the part of many involved. There is NO PAID STAFF so that ALL CONTRIBUTIONS made to FAYM go ENIRELY to ASSIST YOUNG MUSICIANS! See http://www.theFAYM.com ~