Posts for category ‘Press’

White Plains, NY – The Music Conservatory of Westchester welcomes New York Philharmonic Associate Principal Bassist Jon Deak for a February concert lineup that celebrates world renowned musicians and budding young artists alike.  Joined by violinist Joanna Jenner, founding member of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and noted piano soloist and chamber musician Zeyda Ruga Suzuki, the trio presents “Serious But Not Stuffy,” classical music with a twist of humor, on Friday, February 26 at 7PM. The following day, February 27 at 3PM, “Piano, Percussion, and Harp” will offer children a fun, informative, and hands-on introduction to the instruments with music written and performed by Conservatory composition students.

Also a prominent composer, Jon Deak’s compositions have lead to Pulitzer Prize nominations as well as commissions and premieres by the New York Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, and numerous chamber music groups and festivals. “Serious But Not Stuffy” will feature Deak’s work mixed in with familiar favorites – Mozart, Chopin, and a variety of short salon pieces. Read more »

Read the story on MCW student Harry Bright here.

Amanda Ryckman, who moved to Chappaqua from Florida a few months ago, enrolled her daughter in music and voice classes and it is really paying off. “It’s opened a lot of doors,” Ryckman said of her 10-year-old daughter, Victoria. “My daughter, right now, her whole life is music. She’s already doing opera, she’s singing in Italian.” Victoria wasn’t singing in Italian on Saturday, but she did play the role of a rural mouse in “City Mouse-Country Mouse,” produced by the Music Conservatory of Westchester.
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Lisa Deutsch’s role in the nonprofit community can be described through a series of success stories, yet ask about any of her many accomplishments, and she will shower praise on everyone but herself. “The people who should be honored are the people on the front lines,” she said. “I’m just a facilitator.”  Whether she likes it or not, the longtime Armonk resident recently took home several honors for her dedication to the arts and other nonprofit endeavors.

The Association of Development Officers, a nonprofit organization devoted to fundraising and philanthropy in the Hudson Valley, named Deutsch the “Professional Fundraiser of the Year” last month.  Just a few weeks later, in early December, the Music Conservatory of Westchester honored Deutsch at its 80th anniversary celebration. “That they came at the same time is too much,” she said.

Full Story on LoHud.com

New Year’s resolutions offer the promise of a thinner, debt-free, highly sociable and more organized you. But all too often, our pledges never make it past that first January thaw. Consider a different action plan: one involving classical music. Here are five ways you can become a better classical music fan–and participant.

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Lisa Deutsch (of Armonk) and Georgia B. Pollak (of White Plains) were recently selected to join the Board of Trustees of the Music Conservatory of Westchester. The Conservatory is a non-profit community school of the arts providing music, theatre education, and music therapy for people of all ages and abilities. The appointments were announced by Carol Shiffman, Executive Director.

Lisa Deutsch’s work in Westchester County has involved her in some of the nonprofit community’s most significant projects, and her career is comprised of a unique combination of work in the profit and nonprofit
sectors. Formerly Executive Director of the Music Conservatory of Westchester, she spearheaded the school’s $7.8 million Building Dreams Campaign and was recently honored with the formal dedication
of The Lisa Deutsch Faculty Recognition Wall. Deutsch was founding Executive Director of the New Orchestra of Westchester and later renamed the local cultural icon the Westchester Philharmonic. She
also founded Westchester Community College’s Department of Cultural Affairs. “The Music Conservatory of Westchester is a vital source of education and culture in our region,” said Deutsch. “I am honored to do what I can to advance its mission.” Read more »

Lisa Deutsch
Continuing its yearlong series of 80th anniversary celebrations, the Music Conservatory of Westchester will hold a Faculty Honors and Tribute Concert on Saturday, December 5 to recognize the illustrious contributions of Lisa Deutsch to the cultural life of Westchester and celebrate the remarkable work of four Conservatory faculty members. The special evening of music and celebration features performances by renowned classical musicians and honors longtime faculty members Juliet Gopoian (of  Hartsdale), Dorothy Jonas (of White Plains), Harold Jones (of Manhattan), and David Krieger (of Pleasantville) with the Conservatory’s 2009 Teaching Awards. The evening will also mark the formal dedication of the newly installed Faculty Recognition Wall in honor of Lisa Deutsch (of Armonk), who joined the Music Conservatory in 1998 and became Executive Director in 2001. Read more »

Flutist Harold Jones, right, performs during “Jazz from the Conservatory” as part of the Downtown Music at Grace Noonday Getaway Series Oct. 14, 2009 at Grace Church in White Plains. The quartet, who are faculty from the Music Conservatory of Westchester, performed “Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio” by Claude Bolling. Other faculty are Nick Mangini (drums), Irena Portenko (piano) and Al Renino (bass). ( Tania Savayan / The Journal News)
For more photos,  visit here.

Carol Shiffman with Nita Lowey. Photo/Mike Lee
The Music Conservatory of Westchester recently kicked-off their milestone anniversary year with an 80th Anniversary Celebration. The event recognized the dedication of Conservatory families, community partners, and alumni, with performances by faculty and students, award announcements, and a message from the new Executive Director, Carol Shiffman, about the Conservatory’s future directions. Lori Sheldon of Entergy, U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey, State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, and County Executive Andrew Spano were honored for their continued support of the arts.
“This event was a great beginning, kicking off a year of festivities marking our 80th anniversary,” said Shiffman. “I have been here since July, and am inspired daily by the energy, vitality, and
deep sense of community that is so palpable here. Now is the time to honor our past, celebrate the present, and build our future.” Read more »

White Plains, NY (September 30, 2009) – The Music Conservatory of Westchester’s annual
faculty concert series Live on Central is always impressive, but this year they’re taking it up a
notch. The Conservatory has a special series planned in honor of its 80th anniversary milestone
starting off with “Time Travel through Music,” featuring June Hyun, violin, and Barbara
Podgurski, piano, on Friday, November 13 at 7 p.m. in the Conservatory’s Helen Demetrios &
Michael Stadther Recital Hall. Read more »