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Discovering History:

Teaching Wisdom Through Music

In 2020, following the tragic murder of George Floyd, Tricia Tunstall [author of "Changing Lives: Gustavo Dudamel, El Sistema, and the Transformative Power of Music"] approached Jee-Hoon Krska with a powerful idea to combat systemic racism. Tricia, a passionate piano teacher, recognized a significant gap in our education system: the lack of knowledge about music composed by Black musicians, as it is rarely taught to children at a young age.

Motivated to make a difference, Tricia embarked on a mission to address this disparity, leading to the creation of the Black Composers Series. Collaborating with Elijah Souels, a talented member of the Keys 2 Success staff, Tricia commissioned the transcription of a series of orchestral pieces by Black composers specifically for beginner students. This innovative initiative aimed to introduce children to the rich and diverse musical contributions of Black composers from an early age.

To introduce this project to a larger audience, Keys 2 Success partnered with The Discovery Orchestra to present one of these pieces - Montgomery Variations by Margaret Bonds in a wholistic way. Marcia Heard, our Board Vice President, provided a moving personal account to present the historical context of Montgomery Variations. George Marriner Maull, the Artistic Director of the Discovery Orchestra, artfully guided students through a listening tour, enabling them to appreciate the musical intricacies of the original orchestral works. Tricia, Elijah, and George participated in a panel discussion on the process of curating the Black Composers Series. Finally, Keys 2 Success students, together with three students from Ms. Tunstall's private studio, closed out the program by performing the piano ensemble transcription of Montgomery Variations.

Together, not only did we re-discover the beauty of the music, but history itself came alive in all of our minds!

Below is the transcription of Dr. Heard's speech: 

"Margaret Bonds (pictured above - bottom right) was a contemporary of members of the Harlem Renaissance. She worked with Langston Hughes and WEB DuBois, who is considered the "Father of the Pan African Movement (1940-present). She finished composing Montgomery Variations in 1963, the same year that Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech in the March on Washington.

Ms. Bonds was a contemporary of the people who engaged in sit-ins, marches, and boycotts, including the bus Boycott of 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama. She was alive during the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, that resulted in the murder of four little girls on September 15, 1963, who were friends of Angela Davis and Condoleezza Rice. 

I was 12 years old at the time, and I watched the aftermath on television.

Margaret Bonds was, like me, and the people of that era, deeply affected by the impacts of racism. She faced racism as a little girl, but especially when attending Northwestern University, and thereafter as an African American, Female Composer. The events of her life were poured into her compositions. After all, she, too, was told the lie that African Americans/Africans contributed nothing to human progress and development.

As a member of the African American intellectual and artists groups, she was a peer with James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Nana Simone, and I could go on. It is out of this milieu that Margaret Bonds composed Montgomery Variations.  

It is sadly disappointing for me to learn of Margaret Bonds only at the age of 71! But today, you have an opportunity to discover your history - American History. We have to be continual seekers of knowledge. We must continually share that knowledge, or it will be lost.

We must read, think about, and understand history - our history - in order to receive the wisdom it offers to all of us."

Uniting Communities and Celebrating Talent

This year's Spring Concert was nothing short of extraordinary as it unfolded in the beautiful setting of Pennington Court Recreation Center for the very first time. The anticipation leading up to the event was tinged with a mix of excitement and nervousness. While our dedicated teachers had been teaching at Pennington Court for years, this was the first time we were opening our doors to a wider audience—students, parents, and supporters from far and wide. It was a chance to bring together communities that had not previously known each other, and questions lingered in the air. Would everyone get along? Would friends and family even come?

Not only did our remarkable students showcase their incredible musical abilities, but the evening was also enriched by captivating performances from unexpected sources. Ahmed Ishma-el (above, top-right), the President of the Pennington Court Tenant Association, showcased his hidden talents on the saxophone, earning the admiration and applause of the crowd. Taylor Souels (above, bottom), a valued staff member, delivered a mesmerizing performance of “Rise Up” that captivated all who were present. And to everyone's surprise, Phil Bingham (above, top-left), a dedicated member of our board, took the stage with three of our young students and engaged the entire audience in an impromptu collective music-making!  

The night didn't end with the final note of music, but rather, it transitioned seamlessly into a celebration of unity and joy. As the concert drew to a close, we all gathered to share a communal dinner, further fostering connections and nurturing newfound friendships. The mood was infectious, and the energy spilled out into the courtyard, where a DJ took charge, turning the space into a vibrant dance floor for the students. Laughter, smiles, and pure delight filled the air, weaving together an unforgettable tapestry of love and togetherness.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our supporters, volunteers, interns, staff, and board members who made this event such a resounding success. The Spring Concert at Pennington Court served as a testament to the transformative power of music, transcending boundaries and bringing people together in a celebration of talent and shared humanity. It was a night to remember, and we look forward to creating more unforgettable moments in the future as we continue to nurture and uplift our vibrant community through the universal language of music.

Our Newest Site:

Newark's 14th Avenue School

This spring, an exciting connection was forged as Mr. Parker, a familiar face from Pennington Court, introduced us to the principal of 14th Avenue School, Mr. Armando Cepero. Not only is Mr. Parker dedicated to the Pennington Court community, but he also serves as a substitute teacher at 14th Avenue School—an exceptional Newark Public School specializing in providing education for Pre-K through 8th grade students with special needs. Once again, the dynamic partnership of ACCA Creates and Keys 2 Success came together, extending their programming to a new corner of Newark.

In just four short weeks, twelve young students embraced the challenge and accomplished extraordinary feats. They committed Langston Hughes' powerful poem, "I, Too," to memory, learning to sing the iconic anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing." But the excitement didn't stop there—these talented individuals also showcased their musical prowess, performing their unique rendition of the "William Tell Overture" on keyboards and percussion instruments. To further elevate their performance, they seamlessly incorporated a step routine and a heartfelt chant celebrating their beloved city, "Newark, the City I Love." Well Done Everyone!

Introducing Piano Bus 2.0

What started as a vague intuition that we needed to bring music lessons out to the children during the pandemic has taken shape over the course of three years. We have learned to hold classes in spaces where no classroom, or even electricity, exists. Hundreds of students flood into our programs each summer as the Piano Bus brings instruments and music lessons to outdoor places with the help of rented vehicles.

However, at the end of each summer, when the weather turned cold, the Piano Bus would cease to operate because finding available indoor spaces to teach in is a prolonged and fickle process. Therefore, music lessons would not continue in many neighborhoods.

We needed to create a new solution. We soon realized that having a portable all-weather structure to teach in would be crucial to our mission. And so, the vision for Piano Bus 2.0 was born – a mobile music classroom that could reach more children in their own neighborhoods and provide consistent lessons throughout the year. Piano Bus 2.0 would consist of a customized trailer that would function as a mobile classroom. It would be towed by a minivan, which will also be used to transport staff and volunteers.

Thanks to your incredible support, we have raised enough funds this year to purchase a minivan. In addition, we are excited to announce that last month, The Hyde and Watson Foundation gave us a significant grant that allows us to purchase a trailer. With this new addition, Piano Bus 2.0 is finally coming to life!

The Piano Bus 2.0 represents a significant milestone in our journey to make music education accessible to all. It will allow us to expand our reach and impact, reaching even more children with piano lessons!

And They Are Off!

While goodbyes are hard, we are super proud of our graduating class of Interns and Urban Fellows. Thank you for everything you've done for Keys 2 Success. Go forth and make our world a better place!

We have asked our seniors to write reflections on their time at Keys 2 Success which we will publish in next month's newsletter. So stay tuned!

Thank you!

Questions? Contact us today (908) 280-8969, or through our website