Pro Musica proudly presents Detroit Opera Resident Artists

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 7, 2025

Contact: Melissa Bunker (586) 219-0094
marketwrite@comcast.net

Pro Musica of Detroit Presents the Detroit Opera Resident Artists

Vocal artistry and operatic brilliance by five emerging artists
Continue Pro Musica’s tradition of presenting musical excellence

DETROIT (January 7, 2025) – Opening its 99th year presenting music of excellence and a roster of the world’s acclaimed and emerging artists to Michigan audiences, Pro Musica of Detroit is honored to present the Detroit Opera Resident Artists on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. The concert stars five talented voices from the Detroit Opera in a matinee performance that features favorite arias from history’s greatest operas.

Pro Musica of Detroit presents the Detroit Opera Resident Artists will be held at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The concert program begins at 2 p.m. The Pro Musica Concert program will include some of opera’s most beloved arias and ensembles from iconic composers such as Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, Cilea, Handel and more. All members of the audience also are invited to enjoy an Afterglow with the artists following the concert.

The Detroit Opera Resident Artists are a stellar lineup of talent. The ensemble includes soprano Brianna J. Robinson, mezzo-soprano Kendra Faith Beasley, tenor River Guard, baritone Cole Bellamy, and bass-baritone Cameron Rolling. These emerging professional voices of classical opera are developing their remarkable talents under the tutelage of the Detroit Opera.

Led by renowned opera coach and pianist Nathalie Doucet, the Resident Artist Program builds on the strong foundations of the Studio Artist program founded by the late Dr. David DiChiera, founder of Michigan Opera Theatre, now Detroit Opera.

Concert tickets are $40 (plus $1.50 handling charge) for regular admission. Student tickets are $5 each (plus $1.50 handling charge). Season series (three concerts) are $100 each. For reservations and complete details, visit promusicadetroit.com.

Additional Pro Musica of Detroit concerts this season include internationally acclaimed pianist Charlie Albright, who will perform in concert on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. Guitarist Adam Levin and Mandolinist Jacob Reuvent will perform in concert Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Most Holy Trinity Church in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood.

To purchase tickets and to learn more about Pro Musica’s upcoming concerts, please visit promusicadetroit.com.

About Pro Musica of Detroit

Now in its 99th season, Pro Musica of Detroit continues its tradition of presenting music of excellence, performed by some of the most gifted artists in the world. In 1926, our first season,
Béla Bartók delivered a ten-minute talk and a piano recital of his music. Maurice Ravel played solo piano pieces, accompanied a singer performing his songs and directed an ensemble of musicians from the Detroit Symphony in his Introduction and Allegro.

The second season brought Ottorino Respighi and Arthur Honegger, the third Alexander Tansman and Sergei Prokofiev and then Dr. Ernst Toch. Future seasons were to see Aaron Copland, Henry Cowell, Paul Hindemith, Nadia Boulanger, Francis Poulenc, and Darius Milhaud. In recent seasons more American composers have appeared including George Crumb, Ned Rorem, Michael Daugherty, and William Bolcom.

These artists set a standard and a tradition that the officers and members of Pro Musica have been dedicated to maintaining for nearly a century. The 48 composers and hundreds of artists appearing for this unique concert society have ranked consistently among the finest in the world.

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Attached: Detroit Opera Resident Artists
Photo Credit: Austin Richey/Detroit Opera
Starting Top Left: Kendra Beasley, Cole Bellamy, Cameron Rolling, Brianna J. Robinson, River Guard

Get The Lead Out Detroit Coalition Encourages Testing for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 20-26, 2025

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Melissa Bunker, (586) 219-0094

Get The Lead Out Detroit Coalition Encourages Testing for
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 20-26, 2024

• Lead poisoning is 100% preventable and testing is critical to detect lead poisoning.

• Starting this year, it is the law that all children in Michigan be tested for lead poisoning between 12-months and 24-months of age.

• Exposure to lead hazards in and around the home has a lifetime impact on children – especially for those 6-years and under.

DETROIT, Oct. 15, 2024 – Get the Lead Out Detroit Coalition wants all Michigan families to test their children ages 6-and-under for the dangers posed by lead poisoning. Formed to share resources to protect children, families, and individuals from lead poisoning, the Get the Lead Out Detroit Coalition recommends testing young children and testing homes for lead.

This week is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 20-26, 2024), a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The 2024 theme is “Bright Futures Begin Lead-Free.”

The Get the Lead Out Detroit Coalition encourages Detroit families with children six years of age and under to have their children tested every year. Unfortunately, while testing is key to early intervention – only 21% of eligible Detroit children were tested in 2021. More than 1,000 Detroit children tested in 2021 had elevated blood lead levels.

During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, the Coalition is asking community members to spread the word about the importance of testing and understanding lead poisoning risks by sharing information with friends, community, co-workers, and organizations.

There are many ways to share:

• Invite the Coalition to in person or virtual events
• Share your story with the Coalition about experiences with detection and remediation
• Send friends to the website (https://leadoutdetroit.com/) for information about testing, preventing exposure to lead paint and lead dust, resources for home repairs, and safe cleaning protocols.
• Follow the Coalition on social GetTheLeadOutDetroit on Facebook and leaddetroit on X
• Join the Coalition as a community member or representing an organization.

Lead poisoning and lead contamination are often difficult to detect, especially in the critical early years of a child’s life while the brain is developing. Lead poisoning can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, learning and behavioral problems, slow growth and development, and hearing and speech problems that can afflict them for their entire lives.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law two bi-partisan bills to help ensure all the state’s young children can be tested for lead poisoning. Starting in 2024 under Michigan’s new universal blood lead testing laws, all Michigan children must be tested for lead exposure at 12 and 24 months of age (i.e., age 1 and 2). If there is no record of a previous test, children must be tested for lead exposure between age 24 and 72 months (i.e., age 6). Physicians must make sure that the child’s blood lead test results are included in the child’s immunization certificate. Parents/legal guardians may opt out of the testing.

Lead poisoning can be detected by analyzing a single drop of blood. Should that initial test find evidence of lead poisoning, health professionals will draw blood for detailed analysis. In addition to one’s primary care physician, caregivers can contact their doctor or the Detroit Health Department at (313) 876-0133 to make an appointment.

Visitors to the LeadOutDetroit.com website will learn about the dangers of lead and how to protect family members – especially those who are pregnant and children ages 6 and under – two populations who are disproportionately affected by lead poisoning. The site has multiple resources available in English, Spanish and Arabic.

For those living in a home built before 1978, LeadOutDetroit.com connects you to State of Michigan resources to find a certified inspector or risk assessor who can be hired to check the home for lead-based paint or lead hazards. Renters can ask their landlord to have the home or apartment tested or provide renters the previous test results.

About Get the Lead Out Detroit Coalition

The Get the Lead Out Detroit Coalition was established with the support of the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation with a purpose of reducing the number of Detroit children poisoned by lead hazards in the home and in soil by identifying and executing strategies to support lead safe kids and lead safe homes for families.

The founding partners include: Building Community Value; CLEARCorps Detroit; Data Driven Detroit; Detroit Future City; Detroit Health Department; City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department; Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice; DTE Energy Efficiency Assistance Program; Enterprise Community Partners; the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation; Kids’ Health Connection; Lakeshore Legal Aid; Michigan Department of Health and Human Services – MI Lead Safe; Rocket Community Fund; and Wayne State University Center for Urban Studies – Detroit Lead Advocacy Parent Group/DLEAD.

For more information, members of the public can reach the coalition by email detroitleadcoalition@gmail.com. Members of the news media are invited to contact Melissa Bunker at (586) 219-0094.

Keeping America’s Promise to ‘Never Forget’

MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT:
Melissa Bunker / marketwrite@comcast.net / (586) 219-0094

Keeping America’s Promise to “Never Forget”

23 years after 9/11, Americans have transformed the anniversary of the
September 11 attacks into to the largest day of service in America

Hundreds of volunteers from throughout Detroit to join together in unity to pack

245,000 meals in observance of 9/11 Day, the federally-recognized September

11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, and Hunger Action Month

WHAT: On September 11, 2024, to mark the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hunger Action Month, nearly 900 volunteers from throughout the Detroit community will join together in the spirit of unity and pay tribute by helping to pack 245,000 healthy, non-perishable meals for those at risk of hunger. All the meals will be donated to Forgotten Harvest for distribution to individuals and families in need in the Detroit area. The project will be held at the Wayne State University Fieldhouse from 9 AM to 3 PM.

According to Feeding America, more than 44 million Americans, including one in five children, are food insecure in the United States.

In its inaugural year, the Detroit Meal Pack for 9/11 Day is one of 21 large volunteer service projects being organized by the nonprofit organization “9/11 Day.”

The 9/11 Day Meal Pack Program is being sponsored nationally by the federal agency AmeriCorps, which oversees national service programs throughout the United States, and by Delta Air Lines and Reliance, Inc. Other national program sponsors include JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, Citi, Tractor Supply Co., Stifel, KBW, Western Alliance Bank, Holland & Knight, and Nestlé.

Delta Air Lines has also joined as a lead sponsor of the Detroit Meal Pack for 9/11 Day, along with Flagstar Bank, Sylvan, and Vibe Credit Union, and Merrill. Additionally, more than 20 prominent organizations from the area are helping to support the Detroit project as well.

Employees of these organizations, and others, will be among as many as 30,000 individuals nationally who are expected to volunteer at 9/11 Day Meal Packs, assembling more than 8.5 million meals for food insecure Americans.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Volunteer Shifts Start/End Time: 9 – 11 AM; 1 – 3 PM

NOTE: Spokesperson interviews may be available during early morning set-up, beginning at 8:00 AM upon request.

WHERE: Wayne State Fieldhouse; 1290 W Warren Ave, Detroit, Michigan. Volunteers park in Parking Lot 50, located at 1200 W. Warren, adjacent to the Fieldhouse. Parking in Lot 50 is free to 9/11 Day event participants.

CONTACT ON 9/11: Melissa Bunker; mbunker@campbellmarketing.com; (586) 219-0094.

WHO: The Detroit Meal Pack for 9/11 Day is being co-hosted locally by 9/11 Day, AmeriCorps, Forgotten Harvest, and Wayne State University, with support from the Commemorative Air Force. Food suppliers and meal packing logistics are being provided by Meals from the Heartland.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS: Many organizations from throughout the Detroit community plan to support and participate in the Detroit Meal Pack for 9/11 Day. These include: the Detroit Tigers, DLH Corporation, Erie Architectural Products, ROSS Controls, Brio Living Services, Malace|HR, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Motherson, Target, Daifuku North America, Class Valuation, Comcast, Aalberts, ARCH Global Holdings, SRS Raise the Roof Foundation, Ruoff Mortgage, Semperis, Vodafone and HMS.

NOTES: Volunteer spots are very limited. This is NOT a public call for volunteers. Video crews are welcome. Please note: Media and media trucks can also utilize the smaller South Parking Lot on Warren just past the Parking Lot 50 entrance.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
B-ROLL/VIDEOS: Available HERE.
National (via phone or Zoom):

● David Paine and Jay Winuk, co-founders of 9/11 Day. Contact Dominique.carver@911day.org to schedule these interviews.

In Detroit:

● Members of the Detroit community who are participating as volunteers in the project, possibly including veterans, faith, and community leaders.
● Representatives from Forgotten Harvest.

● MORE ABOUT 9/11 DAY: 9/11 Day is the nonprofit organization that worked successfully with the U.S. Congress and the President of the United States to formally establish September 11 as a “National Day of Service and Remembrance” under bi-partisan federal law. Today, that important observance, known as “9/11 Day,” has grown to become the largest day of charitable service in U.S. history. More than 30 million Americans participate annually by volunteering, supporting charities, and doing good deeds. Visit 911day.org for more information.

DAPCEP 2024 College Scholarship Winners

DAPCEP (Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program) this week awarded four students a $2500 cash scholarship towards college. Students had to have participated in at least 5 DAPCEP programs, completed community service, and be currently pursuing a post-secondary degree in a field of engineering.

Students and their colleges are:

Nathaniel S. – Michigan State University
Noah C. – University of Michigan Dearborn
Michael K. – Kettering University
Not pictured: Gabrielle McC. who attends Michigan State University

All are pictured with Michelle Reaves, DAPCEP’s Executive Director

About DAPCEP

Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) is an educational 501(c)3 organization that has prepared underrepresented pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade students throughout Southeast Michigan for STEM futures since 1976. Using a standards-aligned curriculum, DAPCEP programs are designed to develop students’ school and life readiness skills such as critical thinking, creativity, confidence, communication, and collaboration. Through the generous support of partners, schools and universities, alumni, parents, and the community, DAPCEP engages 16,000 students each year. With more than 74,000 alumni, a 50-50 female-to-male student ratio and a near 100% graduation rate, DAPCEP remains one of the leading organizations of choice for maximizing youth potential for success.

For more information, visit the DAPCEP website (https://www.dapcep.org), call 313-831-3050 and follow DAPCEP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Michigan Moving Toward ‘Kin-First Culture’

May is National Foster Care Month and it’s especially significant this year for kinship families in Michigan. A new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) policy will provide a streamlined licensing process for kin. By officially approving these kinship families, the state will ultimately improve permanency outcomes.

Xavier Becerra, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, said the policy change will help families stay together and improve fairness in the child welfare system. The new policy follows the example pioneered by the Salt River Pima- Maricopa Tribe of Arizona.

The State of Michigan cites 10,000 children are in foster care, yet nearly half of those who care for them do not always get the support they need. This year, we acknowledge the importance of kin and applaud MDHHS for setting an example for other states, tribes, and territories.

According to the latest numbers, 42% of Michigan’s foster families are kin families. Kinship caregivers are extended family members including grandparents, aunts and uncles, adult brothers and sisters, family friends, and others who provide foster care.

“It is often grandparents who step up to care for a grandchild when that child’s parent can’t. We must be partners with those grandparents and support their commitment to care for the child while a parent gets back on their feet, so more children don’t end up in foster care,” Secretary Xavier Becerra said.

Previously, MDHHS’ financial support was targeted for unrelated foster caregivers. Michigan typically provides $400-$600 per month, depending on the age, and the specific level of need of a child in foster care. These funds help alleviate the impact of caring for a child in foster care. Relatives have been able to get financial support, but the process for them to become licensed and receive that support was cumbersome. This licensing process is part of the announced changes.

While financial assistance is critical, so is other support – critical knowledge that impacts the child in foster care. And that is increasing too.

Since Spaulding for Children’s founding in 1968, we have supported families. We advocate for a sibling set of four brothers to return to the care of their grandmother because we know that is where they will be successful. We support a family by helping a caregiver in college become licensed to care for her teen brother.

That support comes in many forms from training, helping families navigate the health care system, and sourcing programs and opportunities. And most of all, listening. We do this because we know that the family is the expert.

Our non‐profit is the lead agency, along with five partner agencies, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, and the Children’s Bureau to develop a new national quality improvement center to authentically engage and empower youth in foster care, especially related to permanency decisions. We are excited to be piloting this project with Michigan serving as one of the eight sites.

Today, as it becomes easier for Michigan kin to get licensed, the system has begun to change for the better. With the work of our Agency and allied child welfare professionals – and with these changes of support for kin – Michigan families will receive the support and resources they need to thrive.

– Spaulding for Children

The Super Blood Wolf Moon

Total Lunar Eclipse of 2019

During a total lunar eclipse, the shadow of the earth passes over and completely covers the face of the moon. Some sunlight passing through the earth’s atmosphere is refracted toward the moon, casting a reddish glow on the moon’s surface.

The lunar eclipse of 2019 was given the appellation “Super Blood Wolf Moon.”

“Super” refers to the moon’s apparent size. The full moon looked bigger to the eye than normal because it was near its closest approach to earth in its elliptical orbit.

“Blood” describes the moon’s apparent color during the eclipse. The tint was caused by sunlight refracted by the earth’s atmosphere, transforming the moon’s normally gray countenance.

“Wolf” is the traditional name for the full moon in January. The Old Farmer’s Almanac reported Native American and early European colonists used the term when they would hear wolves howling at night, in hunger from the scarcity of food in the long winter.

The eclipse of January 20-21, 2019, lived up to the name. While the moon appeared larger than usual, the evening also was colder than usual with air temperatures recorded at -4˚ Fahrenheit (-20 ˚ Celsius) here in Detroit.

Designed to work at temperatures above freezing, the camera stopped working after only a few minutes in the field. A spare battery kept inside a warm jacket pocket powered the camera for a final series of exposures that yielded the image.

Families in Bloom

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Bunker

(313) 886-9074 / marketwrite@comcast.net

Spaulding for Children’s ‘Families in Bloom’ Celebrates 50 Years Building Stronger Families

‘Spaulding for Children Day’ is Saturday, April 27 in Southfield

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 3, 2019 – The Honorable Kenson J. Siver, Mayor of the City of Southfield, has officially designated Saturday, April 27, 2019 as “Spaulding for Children Day” in recognition of Spaulding for Children’s 50 years as a not-for-profit organization in service to adopted and foster children. The proclamation also heralds Families in Bloom, a free family event that celebrates the anniversary and demonstrates how strong families help build strong communities.

Families in Bloom takes place Saturday, April 27 from noon to 4 p.m. at St. John’s Banquet and Conference Center, 22001 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, Michigan, 48975. Free and open to the public of all communities, the event includes workshops for adults and activities for children. The event also honors individuals whose work and support have made Spaulding for Children an important resource for children and families. Spaulding was founded in 1968 with the goal of finding a permanent family for every child who needs one.

Four awards will be presented to commemorate the 50th anniversary. They include:

“The John and Betty Barfield Angel Award”— Mr. Barfield’s wish was for SFC to have the resources to fund 100 adoptions annually and started the Partners Endowment Campaign.
“The Robert ‘Bob’ and Marjorie Daniels Lighthouse Award” – Mr. Daniels was a charter board member and a beacon, bringing many companies and individuals to support SFC.
“The Mike Lucci Ambassador Award” – Mr. Lucci was an ambassador for the children and SFC for more than 30 years, raising over a million dollars through his annual golf outing.
“The Dave Thomas Spirit of Adoption Award” – Mr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping children get adopted. SFC continues to work with his foundation, supported by Wendy’s franchisees.

Fox 2’s Huel Perkins emcees the Families in Bloom awards ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m. Among the honorees and dignitaries in attendance will be Detroit Lion’s legend Mike Lucci.

Sponsors include Wendy’s Detroit Area Franchisees, the Michigan/Wayne County Department of Health and Human Services, Annette & Company School of Dance, and Health Alliance Plan. Joining them are Meijer’s, English Gardens, and Big Families.

Families in Bloom Timeline:

Noon to 2 p.m. – Southfield Fire Department Safety House
1 – 2 p.m. – Meet Detroit Lion’s official mascot, Roary
2 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
Noon to 2 p.m., 3-3:30 p.m. – Workshops
1 – 4 p.m. – Raffle Pulls on the Hour

Workshops:

12:30 p.m. – Spaulding for Children Presents Basics of Foster Care
1 p.m. – JVS presents Families Financial literacy
1:30 p.m. – Wellness Plan presents Puberty
3 p.m. – CARE House of Oakland County presents Keeping Kids Safe from Abuse

Activities Throughout the Day:

Author readings by Theresa Baker of “Josie’s Bedazzled Shoes” and LaTashia M. Perry of the “Kids Like Mine” series
Kids First Initiative will present activities to introduce children to the excitement of science with Richard Bell.
Ascension Providence Hospital will conduct free health checks for blood sugar, blood pressure, and Body-Mass Index (BMI).
Southfield Public Library will host readings and children’s activities.
Southfield Police will discuss public and community safety.
Southfield Parks & Recreation will distribute information about summer programs.
Southfield Fire Department will provide fire safety information and demonstrations
Annette & Company will hold dance performances and demonstrations.

In addition, other organizations and exhibitors will present resources and opportunities for families and children.

About Spaulding for Children

Spaulding for Children is a national leader in developing and providing resources and training for foster and adoptive families and those who serve and support them. Started in 1968 with the belief that every child is adoptable, Spaulding brought attention to foster children with special needs. Today Spaulding provides research-based training and education for those interested in becoming adoptive and foster parents in addition to partnership projects funded through the Michigan DHHS and the Children’s Bureau and parenting and preventive support program for young women who are pregnant or young mothers between the ages of 13-24 children with risk factors for child abuse and neglect. Spaulding for Children prevention program includes assistance, coaching and mentoring for the most vulnerable parents and have achieved a significant success rate in keeping families intact.

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Spaulding for Children

16250 Northland Dr., Ste. 120

Southfield, MI 48075

www.spaulding.org

www.facebook.com/spauldingforchildren

An Eclipse Over the Nation of Poets

Planning for an extraordinary time and place.

A remarkable celestial event is coming to a very special place on July 2, 2019. For a few brief minutes of that date, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible over a portion of the Southern Hemisphere.

The eclipse and its shadow first fall upon earth a thousand miles east of New Zealand. As the moon orbits the earth at a speed faster than the earth rotates on its axis, the shadow it casts will continue eastward, stretching thousands of miles over the Pacific Ocean to make landfall about 90 minutes later, near La Serena, Chile. The shadow of totality slants across Chile and crosses into Argentina, ending a few minutes later with the setting sun in the suburbs of Buenos Aires.

For those who enjoy both science and literature, the natural phenomenon of a total solar eclipse couldn’t happen over a more energizing locale. Argentina, its people and pampas, inspired Jorge Luis Borges, whose prose did more than describe new worlds: His imagination created them.

Chile is remarkable place, a 2,653 mile stretch of Pacific Patagonian coastline. The rocky and mountainous coast provides sandy beaches and beautiful caletas – bays that shelter towns and travelers. The nation’s interior finds some of the tallest mountains, ranges and volcanoes in the world. Its fertile valleys shelter rich farmlands that help feed a nation and planet.

Chile’s skies are among the clearest on earth, making its mountains and high desert plains home to many of the world’s great astronomical observatories. The Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, the Gemini South Observatory, and La Silla European Observatory are each in the path of totality.

To those who study literature, Chile is the nation of poets. It has given the world two Nobel Prize winning authors: Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda. In addition to their national culture, both credited much inspiration to their homeland’s natural beauty.

For eclipse watchers, Chile brings a unique artistic circumstance this year. The total solar eclipse will happen about 14-degrees over the northwest horizon. If weather and camanchaca cooperate, photographers will capture some truly wonderful images from beaches, mountains, and historic places.

So it is in this unique place, home to poets and astronomers and 18 million more good people, that this writer plans to witness and chronicle the total solar eclipse of 2019. I’d also like to share how to safely observe and photograph an eclipse of the sun, so others may enjoy this wonder of nature.

Eclipses of the sun are coming to the mainland United States in 2023 and 2024. The former will be an annular solar eclipse, where the moon does not cover the entire face of the sun, leaving what appears to be a ring of fire around the lunar perimeter. The latter will be a total solar eclipse, a 100-mile wide path from Texas to a tiny corner of Michigan just north of Toledo, Ohio.

In the meantime, I’ll get started with the planning. July 2 is just around the corner. I can hardly wait.

Pro Musica of Detroit

Pro Musica of Detroit Presents Sphinx Soloists Unplugged: From Davos to Detroit

The concert stars cellist Sterling Elliott, winner of the 2019 Sphinx Competition Senior Division, and violinist Hannah White, winner of the 2015 Sphinx Competition Junior Division.

DETROIT, Feb. 21, 2019 – Continuing its 91-year tradition of presenting the finest music, Pro Musica of Detroit is proud to announce cellist Sterling Elliot and violinist Hannah White will perform a concert program entitled, “Sphinx Unplugged: From Davos to Detroit” on Friday, March 15 at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. The concert performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Cube at The Max.

The artists will perform solo works and duets that range from the Baroque to the contemporary eras. Joining the artists in the program is virtuosa pianist Yuki Mack, who will accompany them on “One Foot in the Dark,” a new work by Detroit composer Harriet Steinke among other pieces.

The performance marks the first Pro Musica appearance for Elliott, 1st Prize Laureate of the 2019 Sphinx Competition Senior Division, and White, Laureate of the 2015 Sphinx Competition Junior Division. The pair recently returned to compete in the 2019 Sphinx Competition, held Feb. 2 in Detroit, after a performing at the 2019 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Individual concert tickets are available for $45 for cabaret seating and $25 for theatre seating. Student tickets are free when accompanied by a paying adult.Tickets can be purchased online at promusicadetroit.com as well as by telephone through the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Box Office at (313) 576-5111.

Sterling Elliot was named First Place Laureate of the 22nd annual Sphinx Competition, held earlier this month in Detroit. In addition to the Robert Frederick Smith prize presented to the Senior Division winner, Mr. Elliot received the Audience Choice Award, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Mr. Elliot is a student at The Juilliard School and has toured with the Sphinx Virtuosi, performed as a soloist with orchestras around the country, and played as a substitute cellist with the New York Philharmonic. He also has soloed with the Cleveland Symphony, Virginia Symphony, the New World Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra and other leading ensembles.

Hannah White is a 1st Place Laureate from the Sphinx Competition 2015 Junior Division. She has been a member of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra String Orchestra, Philharmonia, and made the rare jump to Senior Symphony at age 11. She currently is a fellow at the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy, a pre-college training program for highly gifted musicians. She has performed solo with many orchestras, including the Madison Symphony, Sphinx Symphony, and the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago.

Joining Sterling and Hannah is Detroit composer Harriet Steinke. She currently organizes the Detroit Composers’ Project, a musical collaboration centered on facilitating performances of new music in the city of Detroit among area-based performers and composers.

In addition to Steinke’s One Foot in the Dark, the evening will include performances by Sterling and Hannah of pieces by J.S. Bach, Spanish cellist Gaspar Cassadó, Norwegian violinist Johann Halvorsen, Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, and Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály, whose work was performed by Béla Bartók during the very first Pro Musica of Detroit concert on Feb. 19, 1928.

Pro Musica’s Next Concert

Completing the 2018-2019 Pro Musica of Detroit concert season is the Joel Peterson Ensemble on May 10, 2019. A composer, musician, and art facilitator based in Detroit, Joel Peterson has explored and encompassed methods of music-making from traditional and popular forms to experimental and classical works. Mr. Peterson’s compositions have been performed by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Michigan Opera Theatre and New Music Detroit, which performed in 2017 for Pro Musica of Detroit. This season’s program features works by Mr. Peterson for classic chamber ensembles, including his 2011 work, Freedom of Assembly.

About Pro Musica of Detroit

Now in its 92nd season, Pro Musica of Detroit is the city’s oldest presenter of chamber music. Past artists have included some of the most well-known names in classical music including: composers Béla Bartók, Maurice Ravel, Aaron Copland, William Bolcom and Michael Daugherty; and musicians Joshua Bell, Jessye Norman, Amit Peled, Benjamin Grosvenor, and Michigan’s own emerging classical star, Ivan Moshchuk.

The Pro Musica experience represents a unique part of Detroit’s cultural heritage connecting audiences directly with musicians since 1928. With the intimate venue of The Cube, audience members are able to sit in cabaret style seating that is in close proximity to the performer. Also unique to Pro Musica is that artists are encouraged to speak directly to the audience about the works and composers they are performing. Afterwards, audience members enjoy the opportunity to mingle with the artists and other audience members at an Afterglow reception. For more information, please visit promusicadetroit.com.

Michigan Community Resources

Michigan Community Resources Presents Pro Bono Legal Service on National Day of Service

DETROIT, January 28, 2019 – Nine Michigan nonprofits are now better prepared to deliver their services after receiving pro bono financial and legal review services through a legal clinic presented by Michigan Community Resources (MCR). On January 24 MCR joined with providers in seven other cities across the nation, from San Francisco to New York and Washington D.C., to present the free legal consultations to nonprofit organizations serving children, families, and other vulnerable populations as part of a National Day of Service for pro bono legal service providers.

“This clinic is all about the power of pro bono service,” Shamyle Dobbs, Chief Executive Officer for MCR, said. “Staying on top of all processes including reporting, governance, and legal compliance can be difficult for many nonprofits due to limited resources. Having the ability to sit down with attorneys further demonstrates to donors and funders that these organizations have the financial systems in place to be in compliance and exhibit fiscal responsibility. And not all nonprofits can afford to pay the going rate for an attorney.”

Regulatory and other legal burdens make it challenging for nonprofit managers to assess their financial transparency and fiscal oversight procedures. The clinic was developed collaboratively by Exponentum™, a national network of business law pro bono providers including MCR, to help nonprofits improve their financial transparency and related compliance practices.

Nonprofit clinic participants each received counsel from highly skilled attorneys providing their services pro bono. A total of 20 attorneys from firms including Miller Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C., Butzel Long, Dykema, General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. provided assistance to the nine participating nonprofits. Attorneys from some of the oldest and most well-established firms in Michigan worked collaboratively with General Motors and Ford Motor lawyers to provide trusted guidance and support to a dynamic group of participants using the Nonprofit Financial Reporting and Tax-exempt Compliance Assessment Tool, developed by Exponentum.

Lack of knowledge and lack of resources can be the two greatest barriers to nonprofits being legally compliant, Kirsten Pederson, Corporate Counsel at General Motors said. Pederson and Ryan Warsh, Attorney at Miller Canfield provided pro bono counsel to Latisha Johnson of MECCA Development CDC and worked with Johnson to complete the compliance assessment tool on behalf of MECCA Development.

Working with the pro bono attorneys “helped me get through some of the concerns that I had to know that moving forward, I’m doing everything right,” Daniel Washington of the nonprofit Original Creativity said, “everything from filing my taxes to making sure that I have my bylaws really tight and right so that there’s no question or concern moving forward.”

In addition to pro bono legal counsel, representatives from Apparatus Solutions and UHY, LLP, presented a lunchtime workshop for 11 nonprofits that dove deeper into financial practices that can be critical for nonprofits. Representatives from Apparatus and UHY also volunteered their time.

The clinic was hosted by Co.act Detroit and was made possible by funding from the Access to Justice Fund of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. An additional grant from the Association of Corporate Counsel provided food and other support. The clinic could not have been accomplished without the generous commitment to pro bono service of the attorneys and other professionals involved. The clinic demonstrates the many ways MCR leverages the support of volunteer attorneys to provide transactional legal services to qualified nonprofits.

There was a great deal of interest in the clinic and more organizations applied than were able to be scheduled. Future programs for nonprofits scheduled by MCR include workshops on real property issues faced by nonprofits in partnership with the Real Property Section of the State Bar of Michigan; other legal and organizational guidance workshops (topics and dates TBA); and a series of workshops providing legal and journalistic guidance on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in partnership with the Detroit Free Press in the summer. There will be other legal compliance clinics announced through the year. These are in addition to MCR ‘s regular Legal Pro Bono Referral Program, direct legal services, and Office Hours programs. Details are available at www.mi-community.org.

About Michigan Community Resources

Michigan Community Resources provides a comprehensive array of consulting and organizational capacity building services for nonprofit and community organizations in Southeast Michigan, with distinct services available statewide. MCR is the only organization of this kind in the state that supports and empowers community organizations through pro bono legal and organizational capacity building services. Since its founding in 1998, MCR has provided more than $16 million in free legal assistance to more than 1,200 nonprofits throughout Michigan. Each year, MCR serves 400 nonprofit organizations across all MCR programs. In turn, each organization serves countless others as they deliver on their missions.

MCR participates in the Access to Justice Campaign and encourages support through the ATJ Fund. The ATJ Campaign is a collaborative centralized campaign, administered by the Michigan State Bar Foundation in partnership with the State Bar of Michigan, to increase resources for seven regional and eight statewide civil legal aid programs in Michigan. For more information, please visit www.mi-community.org.

About Exponentum

Exponentum™ is a national network of business law pro bono providers dedicated to improving the quality of life in low-income and disadvantaged communities by expanding the availability and quality of pro bono business legal services for nonprofits that serve those communities. Exponentum partners with law firms and corporations to implement national responses to challenges faced by the nonprofit sector by delivering expert legal assistance and educational programs to nonprofits.Members serve geographic regions throughout the United States and share a goal of making nonprofits more effective in serving their communities. More information is available at www.exponentum.org.

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