(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Elisabeth Morrow School was honored to welcome Grammy Award-Winning violinist/producer/humanitarian, UN Goodwill Ambassador of Music and 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Miri Ben-Ari to the Annual Summer String Festival. Miri Ben-Ari taught a private Master Class to over 230 violin students ranging from 4-13 years of age.
In anticipation of Miri Ben-Ari's arrival, the students chanted "MBA! MBA! MBA..." welcoming their guest instructor with the utmost respect and excitement. The Grammy Award winning violinist has performed with today's popular music artists including Kanye West, Jay Z, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Wynton Marsalis, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, Akon, Patti Labelle, Brandy, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson, John Legend, Armin Van Buuren and others spoke to the students about the importance of practicing their musical instruments. Miri Ben-Ariperformed her original song Symphony of Brotherhood with her electric violin leaving students in awe of her remarkable high energy performance. Soon after, Miri Ben Ari invited the students to play Symphony of Brotherhood with her, a moving experience for all.
From this performance, children learned that playing the song Symphony of Brotherhood taught them harmony in music as well as harmony that lives in each person, the lesson of brotherhood was understood by all the children that it doesn't matter what one looks like, how much money one may have or where one comes from and that all people are equal and can live in harmony.
Miri Ben-Ari is a classically trained violinist, who once studied under the late classical master Isaac Stern, Ben-Ari has helped to sell millions of records by collaborating with Grammy award-winning artists such and graciously will share her knowledge and experience, inspiring the young musicians.
"We need tolerance now more than ever" says Miri Ben-Ari http://www.miribenari.com, who has consistently broken barriers with her music and philanthropic endeavors. Miri Ben-Ari is the co-founder and CEO of Gedenk www.gedenkmovement.org
"I Have a dream." timeless speech Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ft "Symphony of Brotherhood," piece Miri Ben-Ari's a non-profit organization that runs creative programs to promote tolerance to young people. It is her love for music that fuels her passion to provide a quality and educational experiences teaching tolerance through music to young musicians. The young musicians will perform to Miri Ben-Ari's piece "Symphony of Brotherhood," ft Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. timeless speech "I Have a dream."
About The Elisabeth Morrow Summer String Festival:
The program taking place August 14 - 19th is a weeklong violin intensive for children 4- 13 years of age made up of violinists, violists, cellists, harpists and bassists will rehearse and perform Handel, Rossini, Respighi and Holberg in an instructional and joyful music training program led by Amelia Gold, Music Director for The Elisabeth Morrow School Summer String Festival and The Elisabeth Morrow School. Gold is a Juilliard graduate and accomplished violinist who has accompanied Madonna, toured with the Juilliard Orchestra in France, and coached MerylStreep for her role in Music of the Heart.
Students auditioned for the Festival last May, some from as far away as Paris and Korea. Among the accepted students, one-third of the children selected by Gold to participate come fromunderserved communities within New York and New Jersey. Many of these students will receive scholarships and financial aid funded by The Russell Berrie Foundation and private donations. A team of highly trained musicians including faculty String Festival alumni will provide the students with individualized and in-depth training.
Photo by Jeremy Smith
