Alexander Simone and students at Red Bank Charter School's first class
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Asbury Park Music Foundation (APMF), in partnership with Lakehouse Music Academy (LHMA) has announced the execution of their 2023 goal to bring music education to kids beyond Asbury Park’s borders in 2023. The Music Business & Technology (MB&T) Program and Core Band programs are now in place at Red Bank Charter School. This makes music education accessible to those students within the scope of their core curriculum and eliminates the need for transport to another location.
This marks the first time APMF has had scholarship students outside of Asbury Park, leveraging LHMA’s satellite location at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
“It’s been a gift to collaborate with the APMF in Asbury Park.” said Jon Leidersdorff, Founder, Lakehouse Music Academy “It’s given us the opportunity to reach so many kids over the last 10 years. That we’re now able to start growing that mission in Red Bank is a dream.”
Alexander Simone with the 6th grade class at Red Bank Charter
“The students are truly enjoying themselves! It is amazing the learning that is taking place.” added Dr. Kristen Martello, Ed.D., Head of School at Red Bank Charter. They are learning how to mix music using state-of- the-art recording equipment and participants get the skills necessary for writing, producing, and marketing their creations. Students also explore the process of producing a record, including editing, sound engineering, and branding.
You may recognize the names of the class instructors, Chill Smith and Alexander Simone, from the local live music scene. Simone is a prolific musician and singer-songwriter hailing from Asbury Park and the grandson of singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone. Chill Smith is an artist, producer, and audio engineer who has been writing, recording, and performing his music for capacity crowds throughout the East Coast for years.
“Bringing the opportunity for music education to kids of Red Bank who might otherwise not have it not only enriches those kids, but their fellow students, too. The added participation of scholarship students in classes increases the diversity of their experience and introduces them all to as many genres, creative talents, and skill levels as possible.” said Tom Donovan, Executive Director of APMF. “Red Bank Charter School’s bedrock belief is that all kids can learn and should be taught to care for others and contribute to the world, making them an ideal partner for our first foray into new communities.”
The Asbury Park Music Foundation has been offering kids opportunities to participate in music education programs in public, private, and charter schools, in after-school programs, and in summer recreation activities for more than 10 years. Scholarships are funded via their educational partner, Lakehouse Music Academy, and at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County. In the last several years, APMF has also put 200+ instruments in the hands of area children. Contributions are gratefully accepted at all shows and via the APMF website, and all proceeds from the trademark “Music Saved Asbury Park” merchandise, also available at shows, go to support the APMF mission.
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