December 19, 2022
Video: Navidad Latina! – Project STEP Students, 2022 (8:44) Happy Holidays – A group of Project STEP parents commissioned composer and multi-instrumentalist Gonzalo Grau (originally from Venezuela) to write an orchestral arrangement of Latin American holiday songs for Project STEP students. Gonzalo wrote a beautiful (and challenging!) arrangement titled Navidad Latina! of five songs that are well known all over Latin America, […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2022
Juliet Pepe officially joins the Project sTEP team as Programs and Communications Manager. Juliet is a former Project STEP student, and a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Behavior. Her years in STEP ignited her love of music, and she now plays two instruments and […]
Read MoreJuly 25, 2022
WELCOME! – Project STEP welcomes new Board President Elisa Pepe! Elisa succeeds Diane M. Austin, who concluded her term as Board President at the end of fiscal year 2022. Elisa is Program Administrator at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) in Cambridge, MA. She joined the NBER in 2007 to administer a large Gates […]
Read MoreApril 26, 2022
Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021
Read MoreMarch 8, 2022
BOSTON, MA | TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 – Project STEP welcomes Dr. Ian Saunders as our new Artistic Director. Dr. Saunders comes to Project STEP having recently served as the Assistant Dean for Artistic and Social Change at The Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA. “… I will employ the full extent of my […]
Read MoreFebruary 18, 2022
Project STEP welcomes Josué Gonzalez as Executive Director. Josué comes to Project STEP having recently served as the Director of Education for Rockport Music. His professional career has been centered in music education, having previously served as a teacher and Program Director for the El Sistema Music Program at the Conservatory Lab Charter School in […]
Read MoreAugust 17, 2021
We are delighted to announce the appointment of two new members of the Project STEP Board of Directors, Ashleigh Gordon and Christopher Mackey. We asked Chris and Ashleigh to share what excites them most about Project STEP. “Two things excite me when I think about Project STEP. The first is the high level of care, […]
Read MoreMay 19, 2021
Dear Students, Families, Faculty, Supporters, and Friends, Thank you for helping Project STEP complete an amazing 39th season! We recently wrapped up a successful end of year Spring Recital & Parent Benefit featuring and celebrating all 57 of our students—from our very youngest, all the way up to our most experienced. While last year was a […]
Read MoreApril 21, 2021
We at Project STEP feel great relief that Derek Chauvin has been held accountable for the murder of George Floyd. We continue to mourn with the Floyd family as they deal with this horrific loss, and send our love and support to Project STEP’s own students, families, and community at this time of many emotions. […]
Read MoreFebruary 12, 2021
An update on our FOCUS program: For anyone interested in our FOCUS kindergarten program, please note that due to the ongoing pandemic, FOCUS 2021 is tentatively postponed. It will likely take place in late summer/early fall 2021, if we are able to safely meet in person at that time. We expect to have an update on […]
Read MoreFebruary 4, 2021
Boston, MA—Project STEP has been approved for a $45,000 Grants for Arts Projects award to support Core Program students in 2021-2022. Project STEP is among 1,073 projects across America totaling nearly $25 million that were selected during this first round of fiscal year 2021 funding in the Grants for Arts Projects funding category. “The National […]
Read MoreNovember 19, 2020
Dear Friends and Families of Project STEP, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I appreciate the time and space to recharge my wellness and focus on family, friends, love and think about what’s really important. To me, and I believe we share this, it’s our kids. Not just my very own (amazing) two kids, […]
Read MoreOctober 5, 2020
August 13, 2020 – Boston, MA: Project STEP welcomes Javier Caballero as the organization’s new Artistic Director. With a career in the performing arts spanning over 20 years, Mr. Caballero has worked as a performing artist, educator, and arts leader. As Project STEP’s Artistic Director, Caballero will work closely with Alyssa Lee, Executive Director, to […]
Read MoreJanuary 28, 2019
The Project STEP Board of Directors is excited to announce that Alyssa Lee has been selected as the Executive Director of Project STEP effective January 28, 2019. Upon accepting the position, Alyssa commented “I sincerely believe that cultivating a diverse field of classical musicians, reflecting the diversity of our communities, plays a vital role in our […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2018
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded $2.5 million to the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC), in a partnership consortium with Project STEP, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, the Community Music Center of Boston, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, to launch the Boston Bridge to Equity and Achievement in Music (BEAM) initiative. The BEAM […]
Read MoreSeptember 30, 2018
Sunday, September 30th, 2018 at 3pm, STEP student Isabel Garita-Chin will play the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Boston Pops at Franklin Park in Jamaica Plain. An extraordinary honor, we hope you will join us at this FREE outdoor concert.
Read MoreAugust 1, 2018
Gabriella Sanna will be leaving STEP on August 1, 2018 to take a position with Rivers School of Music. Everyone at Project STEP wishes her the best as she embarks on her next STEP. Read Gabriella’s letter to friends here.
Read MoreJune 10, 2018
June 10th, 2018 at Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory | Photos by Jana Williams and Abdi Ali
Read MoreJanuary 15, 2018
On Monday, January 15, Project STEP students took part in not one, not two, but THREE Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations! In the morning, several STEP students performed at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at the Boston Convention Center, followed by two performances at the MFA’s MLK Day Open House (pictured above). We ended the day with our own […]
Read MoreJanuary 6, 2018
On January 6, Gabriel Cabezas returned for the second year in a row to share his knowledge with our students during a Saturday afternoon masterclass! Cabezas is a sought-after musician who has performed with artists ranging from America’s finest orchestras to the contemporary dance collective Duende. He is also a two-time first place Laureate of the Sphinx Competition, and […]
Read MoreNovember 20, 2017
As always, the Apple Hill String Quartet blew us away! Sending a big thank you to Lenny Matczynski, Elise Kuder, Colleen Jennings, Rupert Anthony Thompson and Mike Kelly for their inspirational playing and transformative musical guidance. Our students grow each time they see you! For more information about the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music check out […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2017
On Sunday, October 1, at 3 p.m., the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops, in partnership with the City of Boston, presented a special free concert in Boston’s Franklin Park. Before the BSO and Boston Pops took the stage, we provided some instrument demonstrations and an instrument petting zoo for curious community members, some of whom […]
Read MoreJanuary 25, 2017
Carla Haith is a school administrator. She is entering her third year Dedham Country Day School, an Independent School right outside of Boston. Prior to her work at Dedham Country School, Carla spent 13 years working at the Chestnut Hill School in a variety of roles. Carla is also a proud alumni/valedictorian and a former teacher of […]
Read MoreJanuary 20, 2017
Project STEP 8th grader Isabel won the 2016-2017 concerto competition for the Youth Repertory Orchestra at New England Conservatory, and we couldn’t be prouder! She performed Barber’s Violin Concerto with the orchestra, which includes several other Project STEP students. The NEC Prep Concerto competition is open to all ages and instruments, and is held every […]
Read MoreJanuary 16, 2017
Project STEP presented its Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Monday, January 16, 2017. This annual event is a chance for Project STEP families, staff, faculty, Board, friends, and the surrounding community to come together to honor the life and legacy of MLK Jr., and consists of ensemble performances by all Project STEP students. Continuing […]
Read MoreNovember 6, 2016
On November 6, two members of the cutting-edge, conductorless chamber orchestra A Far Cry joined our students and families at Symphony Hall to lead an inspirational masterclass. This event was part of Project STEP’s year-long residency with A Far Cry, which includes concert previews, private coachings, mentorship opportunities, and a collaborative performance opportunity. We are grateful to Miki […]
Read MoreSeptember 11, 2016
We are so proud of Project STEP 11th grader Noah, who performed with the Cape Symphony alongside one of his musical idols, Mark O’Connor! Although he primarily plays classical violin in Project STEP, Noah is also an incredible fiddler. He auditioned for the opportunity to accompany Mr. O’Connor in his performance of ‘Olympic Reel’ and was one […]
Read MoreSeptember 10, 2016
A quartet of current Project STEP students and alumni recently performed for a State Dinner with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, which honored the Prime Minister of Singapore. This was our second time at the White House since becoming one of the recipients of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards in 2014. We are […]
Read MoreSeptember 4, 2016
Dear friend and generous supporter of Project STEP, Louis H. Hamel, Jr. passed away on Sunday, September 4th. Louis was involved with Project STEP for over ten years, advocating for our mission and sharing an unyielding belief in the power of music to improve our students’ lives. After working in his father’s leather business and considering the priesthood, Louis […]
Read MoreJune 8, 2016
On Wednesday, June 8th, the Project STEP community honored the retirement of our longtime Executive Director, Mary Jaffee. During the past 11 years, Mrs. Jaffee oversaw the training of over 100 individual students in the core STEP program and more than 600 Kindergarten students in the FOCUS program! Under her direction, Project STEP has been family oriented […]
Read MoreJune 2, 2016
On Thursday, June 2nd, we officially bid farewell to our two graduating seniors, Tristan and Itsva (pictured left). Both of these students have spent much of their lives in Project STEP – Tristan for 10 years and Itsva for 12. Tristan is heading off to Bard College and Conservatory in the fall, where he will study violin performance, […]
Read MoreMay 22, 2016
On May 22nd, we held our annual Spring Recital and Parents’ Benefit, sponsored by the Gregory E. Bulger Foundation. Not only was this event the culmination of another year of work, progress, and achievement, but it was also a chance for our families and students to honor 11 years of leadership from our retiring Executive […]
Read MoreMarch 6, 2016
We were incredibly fortunate to be able to learn from the Apple Hill String Quartet and Apple Hill Director Lenny Matczynski during our final Masterclass of the year on Sunday, March 6th. Focusing on social change and conflict resolution through music, the Apple Hill Quartet performs concerts and leads chamber music workshops in areas with a history of […]
Read MoreFebruary 3, 2016
We are SO proud of Project STEP violinist Tristan for competing in the 2016 Sphinx Competition. Tristan was selected from a broad national pool of highly talented Black and Latino string players and traveled to Detroit from Feb. 3 – 7 to compete as one of just 9 semi-finalists in the Junior Division. He performed masterfully […]
Read MoreJanuary 20, 2016
Critically-acclaimed cellist Johannes Moser returned for the second year in a row to lead an inspirational masterclass for the students of Project STEP. Not only were our students able to see him perform a fiery Dvorak Cello Concerto with the Boston Symphony Orchestra earlier that week, but they were able to work with him one-on-one and ask important questions […]
Read MoreJanuary 18, 2016
On Monday, January 18th 2016, members of the Project STEP community gathered to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event included performances by students, faculty and staff, as well as a testimonial by Rev. Michael Haynes, a ministerial colleague of Dr. King’s at Twelfth Baptist Church and a grandfather to two […]
Read MoreNovember 15, 2015
We kicked off the first of three public masterclasses with an exciting visit from the Boston Cello Quartet on Sunday, November 15th. All members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, these dynamic cellists took turns listening to and coaching several groups of STEP students before ending the event with a live performance. It was an inspiring afternoon for all and […]
Read MoreNovember 10, 2015
Back by popular demand, our second FriendRaiser took place at Scholars Bistro on Tuesday, November 10th. This event is always an exciting opportunity for us to spend an evening with new friends as well as welcome back long-time supporters. Guests raised their glasses and a few dollars in support of our program and enjoyed a […]
Read MoreMay 31, 2015
Project STEP student Taylor Payne performed her Senior Recital on Sunday, May 31st. She prepared a wonderful recital including solo pieces, chamber music, and a piece written specifically for her by a Tufts composition student. Taylor will attend Ithaca College in the fall, where she will continue her studies as a music major. We are extremely proud […]
Read MoreMay 17, 2015
Last month, WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen stopped by Symphony Hall to interview past and current Project STEP students for a segment on his show, Open Studio. The episode was televised March 27th and 29th on WGBH Ch. 2, and features interviews with Executive Director Mary Jaffee, alumna Njeri Grevious, and current student Ajani Boyd (pictured […]
Read MoreMarch 27, 2015
Last month, WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen stopped by Symphony Hall to interview past and current Project STEP students for a segment on his show, Open Studio. The episode was televised March 27th and 29th on WGBH Ch. 2, and features interviews with Executive Director Mary Jaffee, alumna Njeri Grevious, and current student Ajani Boyd (pictured […]
Read MoreMarch 24, 2015
Opus Affair gathers individuals together once a month to informally network about the arts scene in Boston. Proceeds from punch purchased at the event are contributed to an arts organization chosen by the guests, and this month Project STEP was one of three featured organizations. On March 24, we competed against Apollinaire Theatre Company and The Art Connection, […]
Read MoreJanuary 25, 2015
On Sunday, January 25th, cellist Johannes Moser gave a masterclass for Project STEP held at The Boston Conservatory’s beautiful new building. Mr. Moser performed earlier in the week with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where some of our students were able to see and hear him give a fiery performance of the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto. At the […]
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2015
As an exciting kick-off to the New Year, a group of Project STEP students performed for Governor Baker’s Inauguration on January 8th, 2015. It was an incredibly exciting evening during which our students played for the Governor’s friends and family at a private dinner and then for guests in the VIP Lounge. We are honored and […]
Read MoreDecember 17, 2014
Former Project STEP Board Director and friend, Henrietta “Rita” Meyer, passed away Wednesday, December 17th, 2014. Rita was a vital and influential presence here at Project STEP (where she worked from 1992-2002), as well as a tireless advocate for the program in the wider community. We would not be where we are today at Project […]
Read MoreDecember 16, 2014
On December 16th, 2014, the Boston Globe ran an article about Project STEP in the Lifestyle section. In the article, which features several STEP students, author James Sullivan discusses the history of the program as well as our recent NAHYP award.
Read MoreDecember 1, 2014
Project STEP is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Art Works grant of $50,000 to support our talented and motivated students for the year 2015-2016.
Read MoreNovember 10, 2014
Photo by Steve E. Purcell On November 10, 2014 at the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama presented Project STEP with the prestigious National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. Project STEP student Ajani Boyd and Executive Director Mary Jaffee (pictured above) traveled to Washington to accept the award on behalf of the entire Project […]
Read MoreOctober 18, 2014
On October 18th, Project STEP and the Triple Helix Piano Trio presented their first joint benefit concert to celebrate the life and legacy of Judith Sandler, a long-time friend of the Piano Trio. All proceeds from the concert will be put towards the Judith Sandler Fund, a new scholarship initiated by Triple Helix for the students […]
Read MoreJanuary 2, 2014
Congratulations Tony, we are extremely proud! Tony played the Dvorak Cello Concerto at the beautiful Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest. Click here to view the performance.
Read MoreJanuary 1, 2014
Have you ever wondered what happens to the instruments that are no longer in use by Project STEP students? The violins pictured in this lesson were sent to a music program in El Salvador at La Escuela Parroquial de Musica (click here to learn more about the program). We sent these violins in order to recycle our […]
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