Project STEP Is A National Arts And Humanities Youth Program Awards Winner!

First Lady Michelle Obama, Ajani Boyd & Mary Jaffee by Steven E. Purcell

First Lady Michelle Obama hugs Ajani Boyd by Steven E. Purcell

Javier R. Caballo writes:

Hi William,

Just wanted to share some wonderful news from Project STEP in Boston:

PROJECT STEP IS A NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES YOUTH PROGRAM AWARDS WINNER!

On November 10 at the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama presented Project STEP with the prestigious National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. Project STEP student Ajani Boyd and Executive Director Mary Jaffee traveled to Washington to accept the award on behalf of the entire Project STEP community.

The NAHYP Award is the highest honor for arts and humanities programs in the United States, and is the signature program of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Chosen from a national pool of more than 350 nominations and 50 finalists, Project STEP is one of 12 programs across the country to receive the award. Programs that receive the award exemplify how arts and humanities programs increase academic achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment, as well as improve literacy and language abilities, communication and performance skills, and cultural awareness.

Project STEP was recognized for its rigorous, comprehensive year-round classical string training program for minorities that invites them into the world of classical music, from which they have traditionally been excluded.

The NAHYP award is presented annually in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

ABOUT PROJECT STEP

Founded by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1982, Project STEP (String Training and Education Program) recognizes that certain racial and ethnic minorities are vastly underrepresented in classical music. Our mission is to address this imbalance by identifying musically talented children from underrepresented Boston communities and providing them with comprehensive music and string instrument instruction.  We set the highest standards for our students, provide mentoring and performance opportunities, and create a network of support for our students and their families. For the past 32 years, 100% of Project STEP graduates have gone on to college or conservatory. To learn more about Project STEP, please visit: www.projectstep.org.

Thank you for sharing and all the best!

Javier

Javier R. Caballero

Artistic Director, Project STEP

Symphony Hall

301 Massachusetts Avenue

Boston, MA  02115-4557

Comment by email:

Thanks for sharing Bill! You do a great job of sharing wonderful news about amazing programs and musicians that deserve to be recognized—it is much appreciated.  Javier  [Javier R. Caballo]