Klein Announces Education Partnership with Renowned Afro Latin Jazz Alliance & Mt. Vernon

Klein Announces Education Partnership with Renowned Afro Latin Jazz Alliance & Mt. Vernon

Senator Jeff Klein made history recently as he announced the one-year residency of the Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music at Mount Vernon High School, marking the first time the educational program will be offered outside of New York City. Standing alongside local elected and school officials, Senator Klein delivered a check for $80,000 that will have an enormous impact on the students of Mount Vernon by investing in their passions and their futures. The music program will offer select high school students instrument and ensemble instruction at the hands of prestigious instructors and talented musicians. Students can audition to play a number of instruments, including saxophone, keyboard, guitar and trumpet. The esteemed Grammy-Award winning jazz artist, Arturo O’Farrell, will be charged with leading the program. The Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music has existed for the past decade with residencies at eleven schools throughout New York City. By expanding this respected program beyond the border of the city, even more students will have the opportunities it affords so that they may follow their passions and gain from the instruction that will help them for the rest of their lives. Studies have shown that the process of learning to play music helps children learn in other areas, including the STEM fields. The wonderful event to announce the funding concluded with an ensemble of Afro Latin Jazz musicians performing several songs for the large audience at the school.