The Feinbloom Supporting Foundation at the Rochester Area Community Foundation has contributed $15,000 for operations at the St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy.
The Community Arts Academy continues to grow and several hundred students of all ages currently receive instruction in choirs, piano, violin, cello, viola, organ, voice, dance and guitar.
The Feinbloom grant funded operations for the Academy budget for 2019-2020. The Feinbloom Foundation strives to support arts and culture programs for children that contribute to their ability to learn.
The Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grant making.
The Rev. James Adams, Head of School, praised the Feinbloom Foundation for supporting the Arts Academy’s mission, which is not only to provide quality instruction in music and dance, but also to strengthen the community. As an organization dedicated to creating a rich cultural environment accessible to all through lessons, classes, workshops and performances, the Arts Academy is an integral part of the Geneva community,” Father Adams said.
The Feinbloom Foundation supports programs that prevent or reduce youth violence and juvenile crime and programs for school-age children that strengthen connections with their families and communities and increase the likelihood of their success in school and beyond.
A good example is former arts academy student Changhee Lee of Waterloo who is now pursuing a doctorate of music in piano performance at the Université de Montréal. Changhee was a scholarship student at the Arts Academy, where he studied piano with Troy Slocum and organ with MaryAnn Hamilton and also sang in the Senior Choir.
Normally, the group classes and private lessons take place at the Community Arts Academy on 149 Genesee St. in Geneva, but this year learning has been offered online as well because of the COVID-19 virus. Performances are an integral part of the overall program and help students build confidence in their ability to practice, rehearse and perform in ways that recognize their potential as individuals. The Academy stresses that performances also help in the ongoing development of Geneva as a vibrant community that values the arts and education.
Students from 16 area schools in a five-county area are taking lessons from the dedicated core of instructors and staff, all of whom are professionals in their field.
Embracing its theme of “Arts for All,” the Academy is open to everyone from infants to adults and is not affiliated religiously although St. Peter’s Church sponsors and supports the Academy. More information on classes and supporting the Arts Academy is available at www.stpetersarts.org.
The annual Friends of the Arts appeal is currently under way. Donations will ensure that music and dance lessons are made available to students of all ages and abilities. Donors may mail a check to the Arts Academy at 149 Genesee St., Geneva, or donate online via this link https://stpetersarts.org/giving/be-a-friend-of-the-arts/.
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