<div>Hello! My name is Pete Kozak, and I started an organization called Especially Everyone.
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<div>The original idea for Especially Everyone came to me while I was working as a job coach...one of my clients expressed a keen interest in music, but also admitted to me that he had never attended a live concert. When I considered the reasons for how this could be possible, it occurred to me rather quickly that nothing about a traditional concert accommodated people with sensory or social challenges, and that there was an entire part of the population that were left unserved by the live music that was such a big part of my own life. Typical concerts started late, were hosted in loud and dark venues, and there were rarely any consideration made for accessibility. I decided that I wanted to host events that addressed these issues, and with that, Especially Everyone was born!
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<div>Beginning in 2018, we launched a quarterly concert series, and officially set forth on our mission to provide sensory-friendly and wholesome entertainment for <em>everyone</em>. Then, in January of 2020, we were fiscally sponsored by Accessible Festivals and expanded our network, resources, and capabilities into the non-profit world with that partnership. We were energized and felt like we were on a great path at this point, until the pandemic hit...
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<div>Fast forward almost four years later, and only now are we finally getting ready to relaunch with a full-scale production. In that time, however, we had many important conversations about what it is that we want to accomplish as an organization, and ultimately expanded our mission greatly.
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<div>As we considered how to create a truly inclusive and accessible concert experience, we became less interested in passive listening, and instead found ourselves exploring ways to get the audience involved in actively making<em> </em>the music <em>with us.</em> We began writing some original songs that are designed to incorporate the audience in different ways, and searched for ways to expand on the accessibility measures that we already had in place.
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<div>With this in mind, we revised our mission statement "to facilitate the participation in music for people of all abilities", and the funds we hope to raise will help us to do that in the following ways:
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<li>Host monthly concerts, with a 9 piece band and full production
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<li>Develop a uniquely sensory-friendly sound and light design
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<li>Purchase the equipment needed for a sensory/break area
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<li>Hire ASL interpreters to be present at all of our events
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<li>Create materials for captioned lyrics, and Braille signage at our events
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<li>Build custom instruments to allow the audience to perform with the band
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<li>Create job opportunities for people with disabilities
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<div>We thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity, and we hope to see you making music with us at the next performance.
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<div>Gratefully,
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<div>Pete and Especially Everyone
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Steve Walsh

Valerie Chin

Gianna Credaroli

Kendall Moore

Michael Pierandri

Chris Barrett

Anonymous

Allison Berkowitz

Scott Miller

David Harrison

Thomas Riordan

Fabian M Manzur

donna murphy

Elliott Forrest

Christopher Rosa

Cecilia Camarra

Jae Choi

Especially Everyone - making music matters!

Especially Everyone - making music matters!

Still $15,277 to go. Help us build momentum.