My other philanthropic endeavor which I co-founded is called the Atlanta Music Project ("AMP"), which up until recently, I served as Board Chair. Its objective is to establish the first El Sistema-inspired program in an underserved community in the Metro Atlanta area. The tagline "intensive musc program for at-risk youth right in their neighborhood." What is El Sistema? The video below, about 15 minutes long, may inspire you, and may encourage you to get involved in something much more rewarding and impactful than what you may currently be doing.
After seeing Maestro Abreu receive this award live at TED 2009, I decided to help make his wish come true. On December 4, 2009, Abreu Fellow Stanford Thompson made a special presentation at the TEDxPeachtree conference in Atlanta. Invited by organizer and El Sistema supporter Al Meyers, the subject of Stanford’s talk was "What if El Sistema Was To Come To Atlanta?"
Dantes Rameau, the Abreu Fellow leading this Atlanta effort, is a young, passionate, musician who leaves a favorable impression with any new acquaintance, and I am honored to be supporting this effort.
To keep updated on the progress of the Abreu Fellows and their hope to change the landscape of music teaching for underserved communities in this country and internationally, click here.
Founded in 2010, the program now serves nearly 150 students amongst three sites, with the latest site becoming one of the first, El Sistema-influenced dedicated choral programs in the United States! Called "AMPlify," the program starts at Dunbar Elementary School for the 2012-2013 school year! Congratulations, AMP!
