Music & Education Program for Disadvantaged Youths

We are happy to announce that we have a new Maestro for the Music For Canoa Orchestra, Arthur de Majorlandia. There are currently 15 youth enrolled in the orchestra. The new Maestro is going to bring a fresh start to this area of the program. Finding a new Maestro for the band was an important step for the continuation of the program since it was request made by the beneficiaries of the program.

There are many committed members who want to grow as a musician and they work hard to achieve that goal by practicing every day. Marisa, 14, plays the clarinet and states that she "wants to become a skilled musician. "I come to the classroom even in the days we do not have class because I want to be ahead and practice as much as possible". Marisa embodies the spirit of Music For Canoa with her passion for learning and music.

Waldir's guitar and bass lessons are going strong as well. There are currently six kids receiving guitar lessons in the program and another three youth receiving bass lessons.

Finally, we want to thank Mayumi, our Project Director in Brazil who has worked hard to keep Music For Canoa alive and well over the last six years. She works closely with the youth of Canoa and responds to the needs of the community in her ever-resourceful way.  We are very thankful to have people like Mayumi guiding our program.

After discussing the need to attract younger students with Maestro Adriano and Mayumi Suzuki in December, we now have 15 regular students between the age of 8 and 12 attending weekly band class. The next generation is now enrolled and we expect big things from them.

One promising young student by the name Lazaro, when asked by Mayumi why he joined Music For Canoa, responded, ” I never get much out of school, it’s not because I don’t go, ‘cause I do and I like it, but it’s because I can’t read or write very well. When I first heard the instruments and heard all the noise I was frightened and at the same time very interested. Now I’m the first to come to the music room. I love this class. One day, I will play at a party for everyone to hear!!!" Lazaro's response reaffirms our mission to build confidence in young people through music and allow them to dream big.

Music For Canoa is alive and well. Thank you to all who have supported the program over the past years and we look forward to seeing the progress of the new generation of Music For Canoa musicians!