The Joy Center for the Performing Arts
Donation protected
When I was 12 years old, my dad used to ride the bus to catch the train to work every day. He was a lawyer in downtown DC and I always used to imagine his commute downtown as an adventure. When I got older, I realized that the cool trip I imagined wasn't really what I had plotted it out to be as DC transit in the hot summer can be downright brutal.
On one hot day, while riding the bus, my father saw a flyer advertising the DC youth orchestra program. That weekend, my dad immediately took me to Calvin Coolidge High School to audition on the violin for the program. At the time, I thought I was going to be the next Hilary Hahn, but after receiving the results of my audition and learning that I would be in the same class as five-year-olds, that dream was quickly deferred.
I then went into the office, for what specific reason, I don't remember, but while browsing around, the office assistant casually told me that If I played the bass, I would get to be in the orchestra faster than usual as bass players usually move through the levels faster.
It turns out she was right! I started playing the bass, and in about a year, I was in the youth orchestra making friends and learning how to play in an orchestra.
The thing that stood out the most about my time in the DCYOP was the array of ethnicities I saw in the orchestra and in my classes. I soon realized that I was one of the few in my school who had this weekly exposure.
Being able to collaborate with friends of all colors was a dream that I didn't even know that I had. The best part was that each friend came from a completely different socioeconomic background. The program allowed children of all backgrounds to afford a high-class music program in the nation's capital.
Because of the huge impact that this program had on me and my musical progress, my dream is to replicate this in the Lansing area.
In order to put this dream into a reality, I need to raise funds from amazing supporters such as yourself who would like to give back to the community and help me create a life-changing program for many families to come.
These funds will provide the needed budget for the first three years of finances.
Here is a break down of how the funds will be used per year:
Core Administrative Staff Salary: $282,600.00
Faculty Salary: $600,000.00
Staff Salary: $119,000.00
Building Rent: $45,000.00
Electric and Water/Heat: $100,080.00
Scholarships:$6,000.00
Retained Earnings(Emergency Fund): $360,000.00
Instruments: $70,000.00
Building Maintenance: $48,000.00
Office Supplies: $10,000.00
There will be a lot that goes into getting this Academy off the ground and running and every penny will go into this process. We will need to find a building large enough to house each of the individual studios but low enough to keep rent costs down. We will also take our time to hire a well-rounded teaching staff that will make our academy competitive and ensures that each student receives world-class training.
Unlike other academies in the area, this academy will also offer art and dance in addition to music.
Because performing arts programs can usually be expensive, we will have a full-time core fundraising team that will secure donations for financial aid and performance-based scholarships. Each and every student deserves access to high-class training, and the Joy Academy of the Performing Arts will allow students to receive just that.
This academy will be groundbreaking for the Lansing area, and I cannot wait to continue to share the academy's vision with all who support the arts for many years to come.
With your help, we can knock this goal out in no time! Anything is possible, and today is the day to start helping me make that dream a reality.
On one hot day, while riding the bus, my father saw a flyer advertising the DC youth orchestra program. That weekend, my dad immediately took me to Calvin Coolidge High School to audition on the violin for the program. At the time, I thought I was going to be the next Hilary Hahn, but after receiving the results of my audition and learning that I would be in the same class as five-year-olds, that dream was quickly deferred.
I then went into the office, for what specific reason, I don't remember, but while browsing around, the office assistant casually told me that If I played the bass, I would get to be in the orchestra faster than usual as bass players usually move through the levels faster.
It turns out she was right! I started playing the bass, and in about a year, I was in the youth orchestra making friends and learning how to play in an orchestra.
The thing that stood out the most about my time in the DCYOP was the array of ethnicities I saw in the orchestra and in my classes. I soon realized that I was one of the few in my school who had this weekly exposure.
Being able to collaborate with friends of all colors was a dream that I didn't even know that I had. The best part was that each friend came from a completely different socioeconomic background. The program allowed children of all backgrounds to afford a high-class music program in the nation's capital.
Because of the huge impact that this program had on me and my musical progress, my dream is to replicate this in the Lansing area.
In order to put this dream into a reality, I need to raise funds from amazing supporters such as yourself who would like to give back to the community and help me create a life-changing program for many families to come.
These funds will provide the needed budget for the first three years of finances.
Here is a break down of how the funds will be used per year:
Core Administrative Staff Salary: $282,600.00
Faculty Salary: $600,000.00
Staff Salary: $119,000.00
Building Rent: $45,000.00
Electric and Water/Heat: $100,080.00
Scholarships:$6,000.00
Retained Earnings(Emergency Fund): $360,000.00
Instruments: $70,000.00
Building Maintenance: $48,000.00
Office Supplies: $10,000.00
There will be a lot that goes into getting this Academy off the ground and running and every penny will go into this process. We will need to find a building large enough to house each of the individual studios but low enough to keep rent costs down. We will also take our time to hire a well-rounded teaching staff that will make our academy competitive and ensures that each student receives world-class training.
Unlike other academies in the area, this academy will also offer art and dance in addition to music.
Because performing arts programs can usually be expensive, we will have a full-time core fundraising team that will secure donations for financial aid and performance-based scholarships. Each and every student deserves access to high-class training, and the Joy Academy of the Performing Arts will allow students to receive just that.
This academy will be groundbreaking for the Lansing area, and I cannot wait to continue to share the academy's vision with all who support the arts for many years to come.
With your help, we can knock this goal out in no time! Anything is possible, and today is the day to start helping me make that dream a reality.
Organizer
Jay Rol
Organizer
Lansing, MI