Community and Giving at PMP

The Paterson Music Project is rolling along in its second year!  We have fifty young musicians participating in the program, meeting three days a week to learn about music and make music!  There are many people who make the program happen, including our extremely committed teachers, the administration and teachers at the Community Charter School of Paterson, the PMP Parents, the staff at the New Jersey Youth Symphony, and volunteers.

We've had the pleasure of working with high school mentors from the New Jersey Youth Symphony who volunteer their time to work with the beginner students at PMP on a consistent basis.  They take joy and pride in getting to know the students as well as share their knowledge of their craft with the third graders.

There is one volunteer in particular who has gone above and beyond in giving his time to the program.  Aidan Garrison, a freshman violist from Sparta, NJ, visits the program twice a week, practically without fail.  He mainly works with the viola classes but is ready to do whatever is needed!  He takes care and pride in his work as well as in the work of the students.  He knows each students' name, their habits, their musical strengths and struggles, and how to help them.  If a teacher needs anything, Aidan's got it!  He is also master of transporting stands and chairs to and from the "instrument closet" to the classrooms.

(Aidian working with Rahsaa Johnson at PMP)

Aidan's dedication and humble attitude are unique.  I'd also like to mention that this wouldn't happen without the dedication of his mother, Sarah, who drives him to the program each week over an hour and stays the duration of the program with him.  I know that both the students and Aidan learn a great deal from each other each week at the Paterson Music Project.  Thank you Aidan for your extreme dedication and hard work!

PMP is a COMMUNITY oriented program.  We strive to include as many different people from the immediate community of Paterson as well as the musical community in NJ.  The success of our program is rooted in people working together for a greater cause.  Our volunteers are just one column of support out of many that make the program possible and allow students the opportunity to participate in their own musical community each afternoon at PMP.

(Aidan and Shanna Lin- viola teaching artist at PMP)