Category Archives: Music Education

Richmond School District Yamaha

Jordan Kitt’s selected by Richmond School district to provide Yamaha pianos for music classrooms.

Five new pianos delivered to RPS East End schools
via wcric.com by Emma North / Jan 12, 2021

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Five new Yamaha studio upright pianos were delivered Tuesday to elementary schools in the East End community of the Richmond Public School (RPS) system, made possible by donations from the annual RVA East End Festival.

Although the 2020 festival could not be held amid the coronavirus pandemic, companies and individuals continued to make donations to support music and arts programs in the schools, according to a release.

“Elementary school, specifically, is where their life-long love of music starts, and so it is so important that we instill that in students very early,” Henry L. Marsh, III Elementary School Principal Kimberly Cook said. “My child, specifically, learned to play the violin in fourth grade and continued to play it all the way up through college. Music is super important to students and the lives of everyone.”

Henry L. Marsh, III Elementary is just one of the East End schools receiving a new piano. Chimborazo Elementary, Fairfield Court Elementary, Binford Middle, and Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School also had new pianos delivered Tuesday.

“The opportunity to dance and to sing and to play instruments, to paint, to draw, to color, to mold, to model — all that enhances our brain skills to be better readers and thinkers, and critical thinking skills are enhanced,” RPS School Board Chair Cheryl L. Burke said. “So this is an opportunity to have fun, but also to learn.”

Tuesday morning, Burke became the first person to play the new piano at Henry L. Marsh, III Elementary, recalling a song she learned back when she was still a student.

“I played a song that I learned while being in the seventh grade and I played for our moving on from junior high to high school, and the song just came back to mind,” Burke said. “Some things you never forget.”

“I played a song that I learned while being in the seventh grade and I played for our moving on from junior high to high school, and the song just came back to mind,” Burke said. “Some things you never forget.”

This is one five new Yamaha studio upright pianos delivered to schools in the East End communities of the RPS system. (Photo: Olivia Jaquith)

Likewise, Cook is hopeful that the elementary school students will never forget the experience of being surrounded by music in school.

“Our students deserve the best, and so this is a really good gift for them when they return to the building,” she said. “I cannot wait to hear all the songs that they’ll create and all the music that we will hear in our music room as a result of the East End Festival proceeds being donated to buy these wonderful pianos.”

Since 2016, the festival has raised over $300,000 to support music, visual arts, and performing arts programs at eight elementary, middle, and high schools in the East End communities of the RPS system, according to a release. RPS’ next financial goal of $100,000 through donations will be used primarily for new classroom sets of stringed instruments, so that students will have their own instruments to play during the year.

“Because of the partnerships that we have, and also knowing the importance of the arts, we’re not cutting in Richmond Public Schools that department. We are taking away too much from our children when that’s done, so we’re not cutting that,” Burke said. “We want our children to be the best and brightest that they choose to be and beyond, so it’s important that we, as community members and those persons who are making decisions, make them in the best interest of every child.”

The piano at Henry L. Marsh, III Elementary was delivered to the music room, where school officials say it will be used daily.

“Instruments aren’t models to be set in the corner,” Burke said. “So the music teachers, guest performers — it will be used every day.”

RPS Instructional Specialist for Fine Arts Christie-Jo Adams had the opportunity to play the new piano, as well. She tells 8News that she’s hopeful more music teachers at RPS will soon have a chance to try out the new instrument.

Read more here!

Jordan Kitt’s Music presents a virtual student recital!

Jordan Kitt’s Music is pleased to present a virtual student recital featuring students from our Virginia Beach Showroom & Music Education Center, led by Studio Manager Mun Lee Han!

We’re extremely proud of the perseverance of these students and teachers in the spirit of “The Show Must Go On”, using a virtual platform so that all can enjoy the hard earned fruits of their practice!

Find out more about Jordan Kitt’s lesson programs here!

Jordan Kitt’s Music featured on WTTG Fox 5 on the importance of music in the home…

Jordan Kitt’s Music CEO Chris Syllaba was interviewed by reporter Holly Morris of WTTG Fox 5 in Washington, DC on the importance of music now that people are spending more time at home than ever before.

Jordan Kitt’s Music, representing Yamaha throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC., is currently open for business in all four of its locations, and lessons are continuing through online interactions.

For more information on lessons, rentals or new & used piano sales, visit https://www.jordankitts.com

NAMM Fly In

Jordan Kitt’s Music and over 100 music retailers and manufacturers from around the country advocate for music education to Congress.

The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) D.C. Advocacy Fly-in for music education.

May 20-23, 2019

Recently, Jordan Kitt’s Music was again joined in their home town by over 100 music industry leaders, notable artists and arts education activists to advocate for equal access for all school children for music education in our schools and for full funding of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Federal education bill that became law in 2015.

Richard Riley

Chris Syllaba, Jordan Kitt’s CEO with Dick Riley, Former Education Secretary

As part of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Advocacy Fly-in, held May 20-23 in conjunction with the NAMM Foundation, the delegation of over 100 individuals met with Members of Congress and other policy stakeholders to reinforce the importance of music as part of a “well-rounded education”.

“Jordan Kitt’s Music has enjoyed a special bond with area music education efforts for more than a century, but that doesn’t guarantee its continued longevity” said Chris Syllaba, Jordan Kitt’s CEO. “Continued action is imperative to keeping the dream of music alive in schools throughout our district, and throughout the country as a whole.”

Charles HartStudents from Charles Hart Middle School participate in music guitar, ukulele and drum classes

Charles Hart Guitar

The Advocacy week began on Monday, May 20 with a day of service at Charles Hart Middle School in Washington D.C. Members of the group helped 6th, 7th and 8th grade students experience playing the guitar, ukulele and drums through various classes and a drum circle. Other members completed an inventory summary and analysis documenting all the schools band and orchestral instruments. They even made minor repairs where possible during the process!

In the evening, after a cocktail reception and dinner at the Hyatt Hotel Capitol Hill, the delegation welcomed a panel of special guests. Mary Luehrsen, NAMM Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations was host and moderator to the panel, consisting of James Mitaritonna, Manager of Music and Learning in the Office of Teaching and Learning, D.C. Public Schools; Christie-Jo Adams, K-12 Fine Arts Instructional Specialist, Richmond Virginia Public Schools; and Chiho Feindler, Senior Director of Programs and Policy, VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

 

The next day, Tuesday, May 21, delegates walked to the nearby offices of Nelson Mullins for a day of advocacy training. After opening remarks by Joe Lamond, NAMM President and CEO, and Robin Walenta, NAMM Chair, the group heard from special guest Michael Yaffe, Associate Dean, Yale School of Music.

Michael Yaffe

Syllaba with Michael Yaffe, Associate Dean, Yale School of Music

Yaffe spoke about Yale’s innovative “Music in Schools” initiative for the New Haven, Connecticut School district. He also introduced delegates to the “Declaration on Equity in Music for City Students”, a report on Yale’s 2017 Symposium on Music in Schools.

Other guests included piano prodigy and SlapDash Productions founder J. Dash, and CBS television drama “Madam Secretary” actor Erich Bergan.

Tuesday evening, at a seated dinner in the Nelson Mullins rotunda, Jordan Kitt’s CEO Chris Syllaba joined NAMM’s Joe Lamond and NAMM Foundation’s Mary Luehrsen in awarding the annual SupportMusic Champion Award to Congressman Robert C. Scott (D-VA). Congressman Scott currently serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, who in 2015 was one of the four primary authors of ESSA.

 

JKM President Chris Syllaba with Dick Riley, Former Education Secretary (L) and Congressman Robert C. Scott, D-VA (R)

The award was presented in recognition of the Congressman’s tireless work regarding ESSA and his continued efforts in supporting music and the arts.

Wednesday, May 22, was the actual “Hill Day” with Syllaba and the more than 100 NAMM delegates meeting with Members of Congress. The message centered on NAMM’s support of the concept of a well-rounded education, including music; state and local decision-making; and full funding through the congressional appropriations process of ESSA, Title I, II and IV, Part A.

For the third year in a row, NAMM delegates also met with officials in the D.C. offices of a number of State Governor’s Offices. With ESSA pushing much of the decision-making authority to the state and local government level, these meetings were an important part of the delegates’ efforts during the Fly-In.

Pritchard

L to R: Joe Pritchard, Pritchard’s Music Gaithersburg; Tiffany Waddell, DC Office of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan; Chris Syllaba

On Wednesday evening, all the delegates and numerous special guests joined on the Nelson Mullins rooftop to celebrate the most successful Hill Day yet – over 230 congressional meetings were completed that day! This was an all-time record number of meetings in the 15-year history of the NAMM Fly-In! It was also a very special evening during which the group honored former Yankee and Latin Grammy nominated musician Bernie Williams for ten years of service to the NAMM Fly-In.

Bernie

NAMM CEO Joe Lamond (L) presents award to Bernie Williams

Over the years, Williams has been a constant and reliable advocate with a belief that all children have a right to receive music education in school. Williams currently serves on The NAMM Foundation Board of Directors, is an artist with the Kennedy Center’s Turnaround Arts program and is a frequent guest artist with musical notables around the globe.

The Fly-In concluded on Thursday, May 23 at Nelson Mullins offices with a SupportMusic Coalition national conference call where delegates de-briefed about the week’s activities and efforts. This was an opportunity for music advocates and stakeholders from around the country to listen in on the call and stay informed about NAMM’s ongoing advocacy efforts.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of approximately 10,300 member companies located in 104 countries. NAMM events and members fund the NAMM Foundation‘s efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music and advance active participation in music making.

For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org

About Jordan Kitt’s Music

Jordan Kitt’s Music is Washington D.C.’s oldest continuously operating piano retailer, offering new and used piano sales, service, rentals and lessons since 1912. A longtime partner of area institutions, universities, and music education organizations, Jordan Kitt’s Music has been a community leader in furthering music education throughout the region for more than a century. For more information about Jordan Kitt’s Music, please visit www.jordankitts.com

Teach Music Week

It’s International Teach Music Week!

Keep Music Alive is celebrating the 5th Annual “Teach Music Week” from Monday March 18th to Sunday March 24th. We are encouraging musicians and music schools everywhere to find one new student they can begin to teach by offering one free 30 minute lesson. We are also inviting all interested music students (kids and adults) to seek out a music school or musician participating in “Teach Music Week”.  We have chosen a week in March to coincide with Music in Our Schools Month ® (MiOSM) to help focus attention on the importance of including music and arts as part of our children’s education. Public and private schools can participate in Teach Music Week by asking current music students to invite their friends to music class and band/chorus rehearsals.

Celebrate by taking lessons for kids or adults of any age at Jordan Kitt’s Music School.  Find out more or enroll here!

Keep Music Alive is a national 501c3 non-profit that is on a MISSION to promote how valuable and important music is in all of our lives: academically, therapeutically or just overall making us a happier society. To help support this mission, they founded two music holidays: Kids Music Day (1st Friday in October) and Teach Music Week (3rd week in March). Each year, Keep Music Alive partners with hundreds of music school and music retail locations to celebrate by offering free music lessons and holding numerous events including open houses, student music performances, community jams, instrument donation drives, instrument petting zoos and more. For more information please visit www.KeepMusicAlive.org

Meet some of our teachers!

Jordan Kitt's Lessons

Olena Pereverten
Olena

Olena was born and raised in Odessa, Ukraine. She began her piano studies at the age of three. She attended the Odessa Special Music Boarding School and received a Bachelor Diploma and a specialist Diploma in Music Teaching and Piano Concert Performance.

She has won many piano competitions including the First Prize in the Piano Competition “Blue Bird” in Simferopol, Ukraine ; the Third Prize in the International Competition in memory of Sergei Prokofiev; the Special Diploma in the International Piano Competition in the name of Emil Gilles; and the Special Prize in the International Piano Competition in the name of Vladimir Krainov.
Find out more or choose a class with Olena here!

Li-Ly Chang
Li-Ly Chang

Li-Ly Chang, is a pianist, composer, teacher, and chamber musician. She has received many grants and awards including MD State Arts Council, Jordan Kitts Music Teacher’s Enrichment grant, MD State Music Teachers Association and Montgomery County Music Teachers Association grants.

Her performances include the Dame Myra Hess Series, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Roosevelt Hall, Shriver Hall, Strathmore Center, Savannah on Stage Festival, Levine School, and New England Conservatory.
Her piano teachers include Sacha Gorodnitzki, Leon Fleisher, Sequeira Costa, Fernando Laires, Walter Hautzig, Jack Winerock and Ming Tcherepnin. Her composition teachers are Joe Nelson, John Pozdro and Henry Mitchell.

She has been invited to perform and teach at International School in Shanghai in 2017. She was a music panelist for the Maryland State Arts Council and is the Director of the International Young Artist Piano Competition, Washington DC. She is a faculty member at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD.
Find out more or choose a class with Olena here!

Nuria Planas-Vilanova
Nuria Planas-Vilanova

Núria was born in Barcelona, Spain and began learning music theory and piano at a young age. She studied both at the Conservatori Municipal Superior de Musica de Barcelona for ten years. She also studied piano in Germany with Stanislav Rosenberg for an additional four years.

Since moving to the United States she has continued her classical piano studies with renowned Russian pianist Nikita Fitenko. Núria competed in her first Washington International Piano Artists Competition in 2017, and looks forward to competing again in 2019.
Olena has performed extensively throughout the Ukraine including performances with the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra.

A hardworking mother of two, Nuria has been playing the piano for over four decades. She taught beginner and intermediate piano to children and adults for over 5 years before joining the Jordan Kitt’s team in 2019. Based on her students’ interests, she teaches classical, contemporary and modern styles of music.
Find out more or choose a class with Olena here!

Find out more about our private and group lessons for either adults or kids here!

Jeff Goldblum piano

Music, Uh, Finds a Way… Jeff Goldblum entertains on a Yamaha piano.

Jeff Goldblum has an impromptu session on a Yamaha upright piano at St. Pancras station in London, to the apparent delight of London commuters.

Jeff attests that piano abilities were the result of his childhood lessons, which likely aided him in his quest for domination not only as an idiosyncratic leading icon, but also a master of Chaos Theory.

Your children can a head start in life also, with piano lessons from Jordan Kitt’s Music here

Music education helps children

Music education could help children improve their language skills

via ABC News

While many people often consider music a universal language, a recent Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study done in Beijing shows that it may help with spoken language as well.

Kindergarten students who took piano lessons showed increased capabilities to distinguish pitch and understand spoken words — and it showed up on their brain scans, according to the study’s findings.

Researchers from the International Data Group (IDG)/McGovern Institute at Beijing Normal University wanted to compare the effects of music education on reading versus standard reading training. The reading training included an interactive reading experience, in which the teacher read words aloud from enlarged texts, and the students read along with the teacher.

“If children who received music training did as well or better than children who received additional academic instruction, that could be a justification for why schools might want to continue to fund music,” Robert Desimone, Ph.D., senior author of the research article and director of MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research, explained.

A group of 74 Mandarin-speaking children, ages 4 to 5, were randomly assigned to three smaller groups. One group got piano training, the second group was trained in reading, and a third control group received no extra training at all. Piano training included 45-minute piano sessions three times a week.

After six months of piano lessons, researchers found that the students were better at differentiating between spoken words and vowel sounds. The group with reading training had similar results. However, the difference between these two groups came in “consonant-based word discrimination.” The piano lessons group did better; this correlated to the group’s response to differences in musical pitch, which was observed immediately after the children heard a pair of notes in a sound-proof room and were then asked to differentiate between pitches.

While the study involved a small sample size and the differences in performance between the piano lesson and reading groups weren’t found in all studied areas, the researchers say that the findings were still significant when looking at language study.

“The children didn’t differ in the more broad cognitive measures,” Desimone said, “but they did show some improvements in word discrimination, particularly for consonants. The piano group showed the best improvement there.”