Changing Lives
“Through its extraordinary dedication to nurturing our city’s young virtuosos, Midori & Friends helps this administration provide public school students with quality arts education. We are grateful for their efforts to help our children learn, grow, and achieve their dreams.”
– Michael R. Bloomberg
From Our Partners
“Midori & Friends changes lives. Their substantive programs bring the beauty and joy of music to thousands of our city’s children who would not otherwise have access to music education, and expand students’ knowledge and skills. Equally important, the programs nurture students as young people; they develop students’ curiosity, their self-confidence, and their pride in their own abilities.
– David Janes, Director of Foundation Grants, United-States Japan Foundation
From Our Principals
“The teachers from Midori & Friends came in with such passion for music that it was contagious for our students…One of our students started out the school year on the path to dropping out. In my heart, I believe that the music program and the Midori teachers saved him from this fate.”
– Caron Pinkus, Principal, Landmark High School
“Our test scores are quite high in ELA and math and I believe much of this is due to the excitement children feel when coming to school. Of course our academic teaching should be exciting but our arts programs also motivate our students. They love coming to school – and not just because of math and reading. Celebrating our academic success is a celebration of a well-rounded student. Our students eagerly go to band, violin, brass, or woodwind classes. Our concerts are always to capacity crowds. The correlation between music and high test scores is no coincidence.”
– Sibylle Ajwani, Principal, P.S. 229, Woodside, Queens
From Our Parents
“During a recent performance, I was delighted to see my daughter and her Midori friends stand up and cheer for each act. It was endearing to see them honor the performance of each musician, and to do so with such genuine conviction and camaraderie.”
– Visumuzi Sibanda, Parent, P.S. 180, Harlem
From Our Teachers
“We are so proud of the achievements and growth that our students have made because of your dedication to enriching the lives of children through music…We can’t believe the growth they have been able to show. It is truly amazing to see what they can do. Thank you, Midori & Friends, for bringing this program to our school. You have enriched our children not only with music instruction, but with an emphasis on character development.”
– Donna Lennon, Library Teacher, P.S. 4, Washington Heights
From Our Students
“It was Midori & Friends that put the very first idea of playing the trumpet in my head…gave me my first instrument…taught me how to read music…and got me excited to go to school in the morning. Learning how to play an instrument changed my life. It gave me something special, something that not everyone can do. Today, I”m a student at City College, working toward a degree in Computer Engineering, which keeps me pretty busy. But still, I know I’m a trumpet player. That will never change.”
– Bancroft Sparkes, Alumnus, P.S. 160, Jamaica, Queens
“Dear Midori, Thank you for bringing your program to our school… Music makes me feel like a beautiful butterfly fluttering in the sky, sitting on fluffy clouds seeing the world around me.”
– Tiffani, 2nd grade, P.S. 91, Glendale, Queens
