The Steinway Society signature music education program for disadvantage children is serving some 240 elementary school youngsters in 13 locations in Central Florida in 2024 under guidance of Education Director Sylvia Ferguson. The Society provides on-going weekly lessons on electronic pianos in sessions running multiple weeks in most locations – several thousand lessons a year. Student have the opportunity to perform in recitals at the end of the session to show their new skills.
“The education program is the most important service the Society provides. We know music training improves all-around mental and developmental skills in children,” said Steinway founder and President Gary Grimes.
Locations include: Smith Neighborhood Center; New Image Youth Center; Grand Ave. Neighborhood Center; Bridge to Independence; Shiloh Baptist Church; College Park Community Center; Engelwood Neighborhood Community Center; Silver Pines Academy; Spring Lake. Elementary School; Casselberry Elementary; Winter Springs Elementary; Lake Orienta Elementary School; Midway Safe Harbor; and Red Bug Elementary School.
The Society commissions an annual program impact report which measures student cognitive and grade improvements by those who take its music lessons. The report outlined how student performance improved almost universally not only in music skills, but academic skills in math and English, as well as developmental improvement.
Parental feedback inclued comments such as: ““We are loving the program and are excited to see his talents and abilities grow” and “I love the piano program. It gives opportunities that these kids would never get otherwise,” from parents of third graders, and “Learning a musical instrument builds morals and shows perseverance” from a parent of a 4th grader.
Education Director Sylvia Ferguson with students at a spring recital.
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