A Message from Paterson Music Project Director Shanna Lin
Paterson is a thriving city full of cultural diversity, good food and resilient people, but given some of its challenges, intensive music education is not as readily available as it used to be. This is why former Wharton Arts Artistic Director, Jeff Grogan, sought to start the Paterson Music Project—to provide intensive, formal music education to students who may not typically have access to it. When Liz Moulthrop, Terrence Thornhill, and I started the pilot year of the program, we dreamt of a Paterson Youth Orchestra and knew that we would eventually expand our numbers and offerings. What we didn’t realize at the time was how deep of an impact this program would have, not only for the students, but for us as well.
Nowadays when people ask me how my kids are doing, I often have to clarify if they’re asking about my three children or my PMP students. I have personally seen so many of our students grow and develop from small children into remarkable young adults. Not only have they grown in their musical ability, but they have become each other’s closest friends and biggest supporters. I have attended many birthday parties, first communions and other family events—all moments that I feel incredibly privileged to have been a part of.
Two of the students that I have worked with the most are seniors this year. Geanelly is in the process of taking college auditions and plans to be a music teacher. Rachael has already received a full scholarship to Oberlin College for computer science. Both have become compassionate, strong, and driven young women who I am incredibly proud of.
As Geanelly recalls, “I never imagined how my third-grade decision of playing the viola would open a loving community where I have found some of my closest friends and teachers that continue to support my journey as a violist. Throughout the years at PMP, I grew up surrounded by my peers and built close connections to each of them. My favorite times to this day are the Saturday rehearsals, a place where we have known each other for years and a space to celebrate each other’s accomplishments like acceptances to festivals or colleges.
Last year, Ms. Shanna invited me to a Teaching Artist Training Institute (TATI) workshop for all the music teachers at PMP. Just the thought of being considered and invited meant so much to me. At the time, I was thinking about what I want to do in college and education was my passion. The experience at TATI made me feel welcomed and supported as an educator even though I was only in high school. PMP allowed me to further pursue my career interests, giving me an opportunity to be a PMP Youth Leader, covering classes and helping to organize events. My teachers, Ms. Shanna and Ms. Danielle have become my role models and biggest supporters.”
Rachael also fondly remembers, “Middle school was a tricky balance of maintaining perfect grades while balancing PMP and my other hobbies. When I had multiple quizzes and packets due on the same day, I did what came naturally to any pre-teen: complain. And complain I did as an exhausted Mr. Terrence, who had come from a whole school day of teaching and had two other commitments, stood in front of me and listened. But by the time the concert came, the schoolwork had long been forgotten. The concert went as expected and I had a blast performing alongside all my friends, as we swapped instruments and cracked jokes backstage. What I wasn’t expecting was Mr. Terrence asking me how the quizzes went during the dress rehearsal. Though a seemingly simple and small thing, it was something so meaningful and is a memory that always sticks out to me.
PMP is a place where the adults actually care about the students and we all are truly part of a big family. Teachers like Mr. Terrence and Ms. Shanna and countless others, despite all the responsibilities that they have, care about all their students and remember even the small and seemingly insignificant things.”
While it will be a bittersweet moment to see Geanelly and Rachael graduate from high school, they will never truly leave the program. At PMP, we have an open-door policy where any student who has been in the program is able to come back and rejoin, even just for a rehearsal or a concert. For many of our students and staff, PMP has become a second family—a place that not only provides access to formal music education, but a space of support and belonging.