Stories

25 Years of Impact: Long-term PING! Students Showcase Potential

PING! is celebrating 25 years! The impact PING! has had on young musicians is most apparent when we talk with students who have been with PING! from 4^th through 12^th grade. These students have found such joy in being involved in music, have gained incredible confidence, and have made great strides academically, too, with all four recent PING! graduates starting college this fall. They are going to Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, and Harvard.

It is thanks to PING! donors that we can offer robust programming from elementary through high school to encourage young musicians to stay in music, and have opportunities to achieve at their highest potential, including such things as playing multiple instruments and working with younger PING! musicians. And PING! graduates are eligible for $1,000 awards from the Donna D’Oro Anderson Fund for Lifelong Music along with being able to keep their instruments. Here are the stories of the Class of 2023.

Heidi describes playing the cello as an important form of self-care. Orchestra class during the school day became a respite; she found her closest friends among those she consistently saw in orchestra; and found daily practice to be a welcome break from homework and other responsibilities.

The cello was Heidi’s instrument of choice when she signed up in fourth grade – her mom’s idea because that opportunity was not afforded to her as a daughter of immigrants. PING! provided that cello and an upgrade as Heidi grew physically, and in musical ability. Heidi said she benefitted from being part of the Mentoring Program as a middle schooler. And she has been taking private lessons to improve her skills as a high school musician.

Heidi volunteered with our PING!Pal program, which matches high school and college musicians with PING! elementary musicians.

“Mentoring has allowed me to give back, even if in a small way, and to use something I’m good at to help others,” she said. “Equal opportunity is extremely important to me, so this has been an immensely rewarding experience.”

Heidi plans to find a way to continue playing music in college.

Zakiyah noticed something early in her musical journey and wanted to take action. When she was in middle school orchestra, she could not move up from playing second violin. But, one summer, that changed when she was given the first violin part when she attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp with the help of PING!.

“During my down time, I would practice until I got everything perfect,” Zakiyah said. Attending camp had a big impact overall on Zakiyah, too. “It improved my sight-reading skills, my knowledge of music theory, my posture, and my overall confidence,” she explained.

When Zakiyah auditioned for the first violin part at school that following fall, she said her orchestra teacher felt she performed like a new musician and Zakiyah felt really proud of herself.

She took on another challenge during her junior year when she switched to viola. This required her to learn to read alto clef and she had to prepare to audition for her orchestra of choice. She worked with her music teacher and took private lessons, provided by PING!.   

“It was very stressful and frustrating at times but I value being able to be a part of the Symphony Orchestra because the music is very advanced,” Zakiyah said. “It requires me to stay focused and think very fast.”

Zakiyah has been giving back to other PING! students by being a mentor in our Mentoring program. She also attended the OPRF High School spring break trip and has been a member of the color guard in the Marching Huskies for four years. She plans to continue in color guard at college where she will be studying forensic psychology.

Christina has harnessed the spirit of giving back as a PING! mentor. She also recently attended the OPRF High School spring break trip to Memphis and New Orleans with the help of PING!, where she performed, visited historic sites and, explored with her peers.

“I love how people can express themselves in an abundance of ways with music and there are endless possibilities,” Christina said.

Christina is studying biological sciences in college and plans to continue to play her saxophone as a hobby.

Krissy has the ultimate story of pushing herself to the next level. Starting as a saxophone player, she participated in PING! Mentoring as a middle schooler. It was there that she was encouraged to push herself out of her comfort zone. She joined Marching Band in high school and soon tried out for section leader and succeeded. From there, she pushed herself to try for drum major, and succeeded again, this time in a leadership role among a very large marching band. PING! helped send her to Drum Major Camp to prepare her further for this role.

Krissy is also a self-starter, learning music theory on her own during the pandemic shut down and teaching herself flute, which PING! provided. Flute became her school band instrument, but she also learned piano and trombone earlier in her music studies. 

“Music gave me a way to express myself and further encouraged me to do greater things,” Krissy said. “I saw my confidence begin to build. Music has allowed me to be me.”

Krissy plans to study nursing in college.

(Aug. 2023)

 

Into the Zone – Multiple Instrument Playing PING! Senior Leads Marching Huskies

December 2022

While we celebrate all PING! students, we are so excited about Krissy, a PING! senior, who is a drum major in the Oak Park and River Forest High School Marching Band.

Krissy began playing alto saxophone in 4th grade. In middle school she stretched her musical wings and added flute. “I started going about the process of learning different instruments and further educating myself on music and music theory,” Krissy said. The flute was self-taught and delivered to her by PING!.

Krissy joined PING!’s Mentoring Program during that time and said her three years in the program increased her interest in instrumental music. “It helped me form a relationship with music,” she said. “Instead of just playing, (working with a mentor) helped me break it down, understand the piece, understand how it is supposed to be played, why it is supposed to be played that way. It definitely helped me understand music a little bit better and put my foot in the door of the musical world.”  

As an Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRFHS) freshman, she joined Marching Band and went to camp with PING!’s support. By sophomore year, she was a sax section leader in the Marching Huskies. During the pandemic shutdown, Krissy continued to study music theory on her own, and practiced her instruments. When she had the chance to audition for drum major this spring, she thought, “I had a leadership role (as section leader) and wanted to go further with it and branch out.” Krissy gave it a go and succeeded, just one example of a time she pushed herself “out of her comfort zone” because of the opportunities available in instrumental music.

Krissy attended Drum Major camp in July, which PING! helped finance. Not only is this an important position musically, it’s a leadership role among her peers and boosted her confidence. “It helped me understand that I was a leader and that I had a responsibility to be sure others are doing what needs to be done.” It made her feel strong and able. And she was happy to be part of an organization that is very welcoming of everybody, she said. 

Being in music “has given her a new confidence,” Lisa said of her daughter Krissy. “She has become more responsible, especially with the drum major position; she was more empathetic and caring. She did a great job encouraging others.”     

Krissy plays flute and alto sax in the OPRFHS Wind Symphony. She began private lessons on both instruments when she started high school thanks to PING!.  

The support of PING! programs over the years “helped me take the initiative to even look for different opportunities,” Krissy said. For example, in high school, she is able to play both flute and sax on different pieces in band, unusual among high school band students. At first, especially with flute, which she had not played in a band before, “I wasn’t so confident when I was playing. I could play, but my volume was low, and I didn’t like to play out loud, and now I’m very confident when it comes to that.”   

Class of 2022 Reflects on PING! and Music Experiences

Violinist Japera has treasured having music in her life since she first started playing. “I remember my first day of orchestra class in 4th grade,” she said. “It was so fun to be learning something so foreign to me.” PING! Provided her violin, which grew along with Japera as she traveled on her musical journey, and supported her “biggest opportunity,” trips to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

Playing her violin also connects Japera with her dad. “My Dad was a lover of music,” she said. “When I chose the violin he was overjoyed because that was one of his favorite instruments. I loved playing for him and I love remembering how happy it made him to hear me play. Now that my father has passed away, music, specifically playing my violin, helps me feel closer to him and helps me feel like he’s still here with me.”

It has also opened Japera up to other arts. She credits the art of music with opening her up to drawing, painting, wheel throwing, and recently, film production. She wants to make documentaries and compose her own music for them. She plans to continue to play her violin, possibly in a community orchestra, while in college. 

Michael, an oboe player, developed leadership and other valuable skills as he grew in instrumental music. In 8^th grade, he decided to join the Oak Park and River Forest (OPRF) High School Marching Huskies. Michael took up alto sax, provided by PING!, for his marching band instrument. He continued oboe in curricular band and PING! supported private lessons on this instrument. Senior year, Michael became a Marching Huskies section leader. 

“Marching band taught me a few things, among them perseverance, leadership, role-modeling, and about friendship,” Michael said. “We spent hours in both 100-degree heat and freezing cold, perfecting our show, and the people who always kept others going were the section leaders. They brought the enthusiasm back when it seemed there was none left.”

He also served as a PING! Mentor, working with a middle school saxophone student. Michael plans to audition for the marching band Iowa State where he is attending in the fall to study computer engineering and secondary education.      

Both 2022 OPRF graduates received a $1000 award from the Donna D-Oro Anderson PING! Fund for Life Long Music. And, as long-term PING! students who plan to keep playing, Japera was given the violin she has been playing and Michael his alto sax, both gifts from PING!. 

Two Graduates Receive Award from Donna D’Oro Anderson PING! Fund for Life-Long Music

Isabela graduated from Oak Park and River Forest (OPRF) High School in May. She plays violin, something she said is part of her identity, “something very close and dear to my heart.” 

“Music is an embellished mark that is immensely valuable to me,” she said. “… Having music in my life brings me joy, peace, and clarity because it targets so many parts of the mind and body. Playing the violin has taught me to be mindful, to be disciplined, patient, and confident. To view the world as a listening ear because sometimes words aren’t enough.”

Her years with PING! exposed her to mentors who influenced her to continue practicing, get better, and play passionately. 

“Thanks to Sophia and Sharad’s teaching efforts I was able to travel with my orchestra to Budapest, Austria, and the Czech Republic for spring break,” Isabela said. “I never would have imagined traveling to the other side of the world sharing my passion with my peers at such an early stage in life. If it weren’t for PING!’s great support I don’t think I would have expanded my musical education. I wouldn’t have become the well-rounded, open-minded, and social person I am today.”

Isabela plans to continue making music in college. 

Also, an OPRF graduate and violinist, Kaleigh said she likes to feel the rhythm when she plays and that, even if she makes a mistake while playing, she can always recover.

“Music has enriched me because it has made me realize, like the violin, if your note is flat, it only takes moving your finger up an inch to sound in tune,” she said. “In life, you’re going to make mistakes and things may lead you off your path, but with fine tuning and a little adjustment, you can be back on track.”

Kaleigh’s chosen path is creative writing for college.  

Each graduate received $1,000 to use toward their college expenses.   

A Family Trio of Musicians

Valerie and Blake, parents to three young musicians, Grayson, Lennon, and Dylan, have appreciated all PING! has offered – from musical enrichment opportunities, to instruments, to the mentoring program, to opportunities for band trips and music camps – to support their children’s aspirations of playing and participating in their schools’ bands and orchestra at a level equal to their peers.  

For Grayson, a 5th grader at Oak Park District 97, listening to music was always a favorite pastime. When he was finally able to start learning to make music himself, learning to play the double bass last year made him happy, especially while he plucks the strings and learns new skills like what he’s working on now – changing between notes quickly.

Also learning music in the family household is Dylan, who is in 8th grade, and plays the euphonium. Dylan has formed friendships through his years in band and has been benefitting from the PING! mentorship program since 6th grade, where he connects every other week with a student musician from Oak Park and River Forest High School for lessons, practice and guidance.

Valerie and Blake also believe it is beneficial for Grayson, Lennon, and Dylan to be involved with music. Besides citing the studies that show how playing an instrument is beneficial to young, developing minds, Valerie said “music can be challenging and sometimes they struggle, but that builds important strengths and character.”

PING! Celebrates Its 2020 OPRF Graduating Seniors

This spring, four PING! students graduated from OPRF High School. They all played instrumental music from 4th grade through 12th grade and are now heading off to college. The PING! board of directors could not be prouder of these young people and all they’ve accomplished. Here are their stories.

Perahje Cannon

Perahje says his family’s house has always been an “arts and music house” filled with music, art, and dance. When Perahje started music in 4th grade, he chose the alto sax because he got a sound out of it right away and he liked the way the reed vibrated in his mouth.

With help from PING! he took private lessons from Chris Weller for many years and moved from the OPRF Concert Band up to the Wind Ensemble. He’s made a lot of friends in band and orchestra. “I get pleasure from music,” he says. “It has expanded my horizons…and made me realize that I won’t be good at anything unless I practice and work at it.”

He has been accepted at several colleges and plans to major in business in the fall. His message to PING! donors: “Playing music opens doors for a lot of students who can’t afford it, and the opportunities are not only in music. They are also academic and social and after school activities.”

Sarah Pilditch

Sarah switched from violin to clarinet in 5th grade. She loved playing in the band every day when she got to middle school and participated in the PING! mentoring program. Having a mentor gave her individual time with more focus on what she needed to learn, and she looked up to her mentor, Rachel.

She decided that she wanted to play in the OPRF high school marching band after she was chosen in 8th grade to be the drum major in the annual District 97 Ethnic Fest parade. She has been a Marching Huskie all four years and has loved it. She’s made good friends and has had lots of opportunities like competitions and the trip to Disney World. She’s also been the clarinet section leader for two years. “Being a section leader means you have to have patience, solve problems, and manage your group.”

Sarah has been in the Wind Ensemble for three years. Private lessons through PING helped her with auditions and focusing on her music. She likes “having music in my life” and hopes to play in college where she plans to study nursing. Her message to PING donors: “Thank you for making it possible for me to have a choice to be in music. The cost would have been too much for my family. Without mentoring and lessons, I probably would not have stayed in music so long.” Her advice to young musicians is to stick with it. “It will be rewarding and you will be so glad that music is in your life.”

Julian Bradford

Julian started playing trombone in 4th grade. After a session with a high school mentor at a PING! Elementary Workshop, he knew he wanted to participate in mentoring in middle school. His two PING! mentors, Griffin Meadors and Jane Jozefowicz, were “both great mentors and are the main reason that I continued with music into high school. I looked up to them and thought, I can do that too.” Julian’s mom, Lori, says that “Jane literally changed his life. She told him that she thought he was gifted in music and that gave him confidence.” Julian also served as a PING! mentor and encouraged his young students to stick with music.

Julian played in the marching band and jazz ensemble in high school. In junior year, he decided to focus on classical music and joined the Chicago Youth Orchestra Academy with tuition assistance from PING!. “Classical music is fun to play. There is a lot of emotion to it.” Julian’s mom says, “Julian IS music. Music at the high school became his home. It gave him confidence and a path forward.”

Julian is now participating in the Merit School of Music Conservatory in Chicago. He loves that everyone there is serious about music and chooses to be there. He is grateful to PING!: “I found a passion in music and made lots of friends. I have had opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.”

Sydney Odesanya

Sydney played piano, violin, and trumpet before settling on the alto sax. In 8th grade she participated in the PING! mentoring program. Her two mentors, Maya and DeeDee, made her music experience special. “I learned new skills, and they gave me advice about life, like how to adjust in high school and encouraged me to join marching band. Having them as friends gave me a head start in 9th grade.” Sydney has been “paying it forward” by serving as a PING! mentor herself.

Jazz is a passion for her. She’s played in the jazz ensemble all four years at OPRFHS and likes that the group is so tight. She also played in the OPRFHS Marching Band all four years and the Wind Ensemble for three years. She’s loved the challenges of auditioning for these groups. Having private lessons through PING! has made a difference in her playing. “My private teacher is my favorite person. He is big on the Chicago jazz scene. I have to work hard in his class.”

Sydney plans to major in psychology at Howard University in the fall. She wants to take her PING! instrument with her so she can play in groups there. She’s grateful that PING has given her a passion for music. Her advice to 4th and 5th graders just starting out: If playing an instrument brings you joy, if you like it…”shoot for the
stars.”

PING! Sisters Thrive with Opportunities

For one Oak Park family, opportunities supported by PING! have been game changers. Two sisters received scholarships to attend Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan, prompting both girls to explore their potential.    

Jentille, an 8th grader who plays flute, was “focused and eager to try new skills” and “really improved her posture in class,” according to her camp band director. Jentille was already working on posture—so important to musicians—with her PING! mentor, an Oak Park & River Forest High School student who comes to Jentille’s middle school throughout the school year to provide free lessons.  “Tech and sectionals were an opportunity to focus on my instrument,” Jentille said of her camp experience. “It helped me a lot on the flute. They told me I am ready for a more intermediate-level flute.” This fall, PING! was there, putting that step-up instrument into Jentille’s hands.

Jentille’s sister, Japera, is a sophomore and plays violin in Concert Orchestra. “I like to play the violin, and the sounds I can make have changed over the years,” Japera said. “I can do more with it. I can play more variety.” Japera also said she improved at camp. “I feel I got better at violin. I am getting better vibrato now, and before, that was hard.” Japera previously received lessons from a PING! mentor in middle school. After camp, she said she was ready for more advanced lessons. Now, with PING!’s help, Japera takes private lessons for the first time from a professional teacher.

PING!’s Mentors & Mentees Learn from Each Other

Hailie Donald, a 6th grader at Roosevelt Middle School, and her mentor, Grace Ledogar, have enjoyed their year together. Hailie says, “Grace is the best. She helps me a lot. With her help, I am now in the advanced band.” Grace responds, “I admire Hailie’s enthusiasm, motivation, and hard work. She learns quickly and practices. Seeing her grow and develop motivates me.” They enjoy playing duets together, and this summer Hailie is graduating to an advanced flute which Grace will help her master. The flute has opened up a world of creativity for Hailie. In addition to band, she also plays in the Recorder Band and participated in the musical Grease and the school’s solo competition.

Grace is a junior at OPRFHS and joined mentoring as a way to share her love of music. She is a Co-Chair of the High School Mentor Committee and is positive about her mentoring experience. “I have gained life experience like how to communicate, build relationships and understand how I can make a difference.” Hailie and Grace feel they are lucky to be able to experience and express themselves through music and both appreciate PING!’s role in helping to make it happen.