There is Nothing “Non-Profit” About Non-Profit Organizations

In 2006 I founded and continue to run Music For Everyone, a “non-profit” organization with amission to cultivate the power of music as an educational and community-building tool inLancaster County, PA. Given that I had no previous experience in this world, my learning curveover the past 18 years has been long and steep. The most …

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Music is More Than Music

Music is More Than Music. As such, its power and potential as an educational tool is unparalleled. Music is more than notesplayed and songs sung. Music is math. Music is reading. Music is language. Music is logic. Theresearch and data are clear in that children involved in music programs score higher onstandardized tests. It’s also …

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Music: The Community Impact Tool that Keeps on Giving

As the founder and executive director of a music related Community Benefit Organization (CBO), I constantly think of how to more effectively leverage the power and potential of music to impact lives and exert positive community impact. After almost eighteen years of leading MFE, I have come to appreciate that when it comes to potential …

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THE “BLACK PROBLEM”

“The way to right wrongs is to shine the light of truth upon them.”  —Ida B. Wells-Barnett Is systemic racism in our nation only a “Black problem?”  Some believe so. Politicians, social scientists, and pundits often couch the challenges racism presents in terms of “What is America going to do about its ‘Black problem?”’ Before …

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Organizational DEI: The Learning Curve Continues

Whether as an individual, business or Community Benefit Organization, it is important to periodically take an unvarnished, honest look in the mirror. Such self-reflection can reveal uncomfortable truths about yourself or your organization. We do not do that often enough. It can be quite painful when, after such honest self-examination, you find you might not …

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35 Lancaster Voices Featured in New Book Exploring the Power of Art to Strengthen Community

When John Gerdy moved to Lancaster from Dayton, Ohio, in 1998, he was less than impressed with the vibrancy of the community. Fast forward 25 years later, and Gerdy, the founder and executive director of the music education nonprofit Music for Everyone, will publish a book on Oct. 24 about Lancaster’s revitalization thanks to its …

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LIFE LESSONS FROM PAINTING: YOUR SELF PORTRAIT IS NEVER FINISHED

In 2017, I began taking painting lessons. It has been fascinating, exhilarating, challenging, and, more than anything, educational. I have a wonderful teacher. She’s encouraging and inspiring with a real sense of and ability to make the connections between painting and life. While having a competent teacher is vitally important, there are also lessons that …

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