Just in Time for the Holidays, Loida Lewis Gives the Gift of Music to the Harlem School of the Arts
NEW YORK (PRWEB) December 24, 2014 -- The Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) is delighted announce and accept the generous donation of the grand Steinway piano owned by the late Mr. Reginald F Lewis, legendary American Businessman in 1990s. Lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, Chairman, CEO, husband, and father had a great love of music. The instrument, originally from the family’s duplex Fifth Avenue apartment, was generously restored by Steinway where a dedication plaque was added.
An intimate transfer ceremony took place at HSA on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 11am at the Harlem School of the Arts, 645 Saint Nicholas Avenue, New York, New York 10030. On hand were Harlem School of the Arts Board Chair, Charles J. Hamilton, Jr. Esq., Major Scurlock, HSA Piano & Percussion Chair, Karen Beluson of Steinway, Ms. Loida Lewis and her immediate family members, including Leslie Lewis, Christina Lewis Halpern, Dan Halpern and her grandchildren. The entire family played a mini concert performance to celebrate the occasion, which just happened to coincide with Ms. Lewis’ birthday.
With this generous gift, Harlem School of the Arts adds an 11th Steinway piano to its newly acquired collection worth over $500,000 generously donated from the Manhattan Borough Presidents Office in Summer 2014 as part of a capital grant to replace School’s aging collection of grand pianos that were in poor condition, many of which were over 50 years old and beyond their useful life as playable instruments. The School’s ultimate goal is to become an All Steinway Institution to enhance its music program for generations of young talented musicians to come.
“With this generous gift from the Reginald F. Lewis Family, the children of Harlem School of the Arts will be able to study at the highest levels on a quality instrument. There will be no barriers such as inadequate equipment to stop them from achieving their dreams. We are deeply grateful to Ms. Lewis who has been a great friend to the school.” – Yvette L. Campbell, President & CEO
“The Harlem School of the Arts is deeply indebted to the Lewis Family for their generosity and caring for the artistic mission of our school. HSA’s students will be the beneficiaries of this generosity for years to come. We are expected that the spirit of the Lewis Family is infused in this marvelous gift." - Mr. Charles J. Hamilton Jr., Esq Harlem School of the Arts, Chairman of the Board
About Harlem School of the Arts:
For nearly a half-century, the Harlem School of the Arts has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of young people through world-class training in the arts. HSA’s mission empowers young people mainly from under-served communities in Harlem to find and develop the artist and citizen within themselves. HSA’s environment teaches discipline, stimulates creativity, builds self-confidence and adds a dimension of beauty to the lives of each student. HSA annually serves nearly 4,000 children through on-site instruction and its vital partnerships with NYC schools. HSA stands apart among the premier arts institutions in New York City, as the sole provider of quality arts education in 4 distinct disciplines – music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. HSA boasts an impressive alumni base of Tony-award winning actors, celebrated operatic voices and jazz musicians, visual artists, dancers, and inspired citizens who cite HSA as the platform from which they launched careers in law, business and other professional fields. For more information about Harlem School of the Arts, visit http://www.HSAnyc.org.
Byron McCray, Harlem School of the Arts, http://www.hsanyc.org, 12129264100 Ext: 335, [email protected]
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