(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- Westrick Music Academy (WMA) is thrilled to announce that it has received two significant grants: a historic $99,870 grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) and a $9,100 grant from the I. Trumbull Wood Estate Fund of the Mercer County Community Fund. These grants represent a remarkable milestone for WMA, supporting its mission as it works to provide opportunities for local youth to grow through the pursuit of musical excellence in a supportive, collaborative, and joyous environment.
Lorraine Goodman, Executive Director of WMA, expressed profound gratitude for these substantial supports, stating, “We are deeply honored and immensely grateful for the generous grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Mercer County Community Fund. This funding will have a transformative impact on our ability to nurture a lifelong love of music in a supportive and joyous environment. It ensures that we can continue to offer unparalleled opportunities for personal growth, self-expression, and musical excellence to a diverse group of young musicians.”
New Jersey State Council on the Arts Grant - The unprecedented $99,870 grant from NJSCA is the largest single grant WMA has ever received from the state. This funding will support various operational needs, including Music Director salaries, guest artist and pianist fees, musical performance costs, and other essential operating expenses. New Jersey's 3rd Lieutenant Governor Tahesha L. Way, who oversees the Council in her role as Secretary of State, highlighted the importance of this investment: “The investment made in our state’s artists and organizations has a direct positive impact on New Jersey residents, families, businesses, and communities. It’s an honor to work closely with the Council to help our state’s creative industries thrive and to ensure New Jersey’s diverse constituencies can access the many benefits of the arts.”
Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, remarked, “The grants voted on reflect the Council’s commitment to listening to field needs and then taking action. This historic grant to Westrick Music Academy signals a mark of progress for the Council and our sector. We are extremely grateful to the Murphy Administration for the ongoing support of New Jersey’s vital arts community.”
Mercer County Community Fund Grant - The $9,100 grant from the I. Trumbull Wood Estate Fund of the Mercer County Community Fund will also support WMA’s general operations, contributing significantly to the sustainability and growth of its music education and choir programs. Madeline Rivera, Program Officer at the Mercer County Community Fund, highlighted the importance of supporting local organizations: “CFNJ is honored to support the Westrick Music Academy for the first time with a Mercer County Community Grant. The Academy’s programming encourages children to express themselves and builds their confidence so we’re thrilled about supporting this important work.”
WMA is currently auditioning new singers. For more information about Westrick Music Academy and their programs, or to learn more about singing with them next year, please visit www.westrickmusic.org.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts, enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts, promote freedom of expression in the arts, and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society, including human understanding, cultural and civic pride, strong communities, excellent schools, lifelong learning, creative expression, and economic opportunity.
Westrick Music Academy (WMA) is a dynamic and inclusive musical institution that has been transforming lives through the power of music since its inception. Their mission is to provide unparalleled opportunities for personal growth, self-expression, and musical excellence within a supportive and joyous environment.
At the heart of WMA's success are their flagship programs:
Princeton Girlchoir - Founded in 1989 as an after-school activity for 27 girls interested in singing, Princeton Girlchoir has evolved into an extraordinary ensemble of over 300 choristers. After auditioning, girls from 3rd through 12th grade are placed in choirs by age and ability. Through music education and performance, their choristers develop their voices, build confidence, and discover a lifelong love of singing together. Their musical journey includes professional performance opportunities such as recent appearances at Carnegie Hall and international tours.
Princeton Boychoir - Launched in 2017, Princeton Boychoir is dedicated to developing boys into confident young men of character through song, music education, and leadership development. Boys from 3rd through 12th grade are placed in ensembles based on age and ability. Led by our esteemed Music Director Mr. Adam Good, each chorister strives to be an outstanding musician while cultivating self-confidence through education and performance. Princeton Boychoir has graced concert stages locally and internationally, sharing the gift of music with diverse audiences.
Together, Princeton Girlchoir and Princeton Boychoir form the core of WMA's commitment to musical excellence, community engagement, and fostering lifelong friendships. Their collective impact transcends boundaries and enriches lives through the universal language of music.
WMA invites you to join us in celebrating the transformative power of music and the bright future they are building together.
