Connecticut Music & Arts School For Economically Disadvantaged Kids Is The Latest Music Empowers Foundation Beneficiary

NEW YORK, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Music Empowers Foundation is proud to announce a $20,000 grant to the Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County. Neighborhood Studios is a multi-disciplinary school of the arts in Bridgeport, CT.  Founded in 1977, it provides music and arts education to over 1,500 talented but economically disadvantaged and special needs children.

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The Music Empowers grant will be used to fund a new program called The Community Music Project.  The project will serve to expand musical offerings at Neighborhood Studios while increasing opportunities for community performances and engaging entire families through the use of contemporary and ethnically relevant music.

"Neighborhood Studios is excited to partner with Music Empowers on the new Community Music Project," says Frank Derico, executive director of Neighborhood Studios.  "The program will provide music ensembles for the Greater Bridgeport area, including Garage Band 101, rock and pop bands for middle school students, and Latin and African music ensembles for families."

"Neighborhood Studios is a perfect match with Music Empowers' mission of supporting organizations that provide music education programs where none exist and where they are most needed," explained Andy Davis, founder of Music Empowers Foundation. "If it weren't for them, music education for Bridgeport public school children would be extremely limited."

Bridgeport, CT is one of the most economically disadvantaged cities in the United States. Over 95% of public school children qualify for free or reduced cost school lunches.

ABOUT MUSIC EMPOWERS FOUNDATION:
The Music Empowers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that provides financial support to nonprofits that offer music education programs to communities with limited or nonexistent programs.  Since its inception in early 2010, it has awarded over half a million dollars in grants to organizations such as DonorsChoose.org, Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, Little Kids Rock, Neighborhood Studios, and Artists Corps of America. For more information on Music Empowers please go to www.musicempowersfoundation.org, become a fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Contact: Andy Davis, [email protected]

SOURCE Music Empowers Foundation