Since its founding by Sebastian Ruth in 1997, Community MusicWorks has brought children and music together in extraordinary ways. The organization focuses on the West End, South Side, Elmwood, and Olneyville neighborhoods and has taught thousands of children to play musical instruments, appreciate music, and in the process, transform their lives. They have been challenged by the lack of permanent teaching and performance space for years, but on September 28, CMW will celebrate the opening of its own permanent home at 1326 Westminster Street complete with classrooms, auditorium, and a public café–a gathering place for music in the community. See PVD Eye Event Listing
CMW’s numbers tell of its success:
24,000 square feet is the size of the new CMW Center
4,000 scores and teaching resources located in the new CMW Center music library
3,232 individual lessons offered to students in 2023
490 ensemble and group classes offered in 2023
200 violins, violas and cellos for student use
101 students in 2023
46 grants received in 2023
28th season in 2024-25
26 CMW alums have returned in a professional capacity through the Alumni Fellowship Program
15 student public performance events in 2023
5 Guest Artists visited in 2023
Sources:
https://communitymusicworks.org/Conversation/Communication with: Director of Communications & Administration Elizabeth Cox and Honorary Board Member Karen Romer
Nini Stoddard is a proud Providence resident. After living abroad as the child of a US diplomat, she returned to the United States to attend college. She lived in Connecticut and enjoyed working as a librarian, as a director of a regional non-profit, and as a prospect researcher. Nini moved to Providence in 2006 to work at Brown University as a senior prospect researcher. Now retired, she loves local history and volunteering.
Want to comment? Click!