Boston String Academy Inc
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162 Boylston Street, Suite 69 Boston, MA 02116 |
[P] (617) 7806728 [F] -- |
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www.bostonstringacademy.org [email protected] Marielisa Alvarez |
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INCORPORATED: 2014
Printable Profile (Summary / Full) EIN 46-1423890 |
LAST UPDATED: 12/17/2018 |
| Organization DBA | -- |
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| Former Names | -- |
| Organization received a competitive grant from the Boston Foundation in the past five years | No |
Summary
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Mission StatementMORE »Our mission is to provide a vibrant string program for inner-city young students, offering high quality string instrument instruction, using standards that will give them the necessary skills to build a strong foundation in their musical growth. To offer many performance opportunities, master classes, lessons and ensemble settings, which will enable students to build self-confidence, discipline, commitment, social skills, and other fundamental values essential to every child’s development. To forge social integration through music by creating a path for young people to become sensitive, responsible and creative human beings.
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Mission StatementOur mission is to provide a vibrant string program for inner-city young students, offering high quality string instrument instruction, using standards that will give them the necessary skills to build a strong foundation in their musical growth. To offer many performance opportunities, master classes, lessons and ensemble settings, which will enable students to build self-confidence, discipline, commitment, social skills, and other fundamental values essential to every child’s development. To forge social integration through music by creating a path for young people to become sensitive, responsible and creative human beings.
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Financials
| Fiscal Year | July 01, 2017 to June 30, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Projected Income | $240,973.00 |
| Projected Expense | $240,973.00 |
Programs
- String Orchestra Program
Revenue vs. Expense ($000s)
Expense Breakdown 2016 (%)
Expense Breakdown 2015 (%)
Expense Breakdown 2014 (%)
For more details regarding the organization's financial information, select the financial tab and review available comments.
Overview
Mission Statement
Background Statement
Boston String Academy (BSA) is a non-profit organization inspired by El Sistema - a very successful music education philosophy that utilizes music as a vehicle for social change - El Sistema originated in Venezuela over 40 years ago and has inspired thousands of educators around the world. We are passionate about introducing children at an early age to music and promoting a love for and engagement in music making. BSA is a social change/youth development program that uses ensemble music to enable every child to experience being an asset within her or his community.
BSA was founded in 2012 by Boston Conservatory graduates Marielisa and Mariesther Alvarez, and Taide Prieto, accomplished violinists and cellist who are also graduates of Venezuela's "El Sistema", and Peru's homologue program. In El Sistema, teachers are often former students of the program which speaks to its ability to instill humanistic connections and music learning in its students. BSA is one of the few El Sistema programs in the United States lead by Venezuelans who actually grew up and were trained in Venezuela. In 2016 co-directors, Marielisa and Mariesther Alvarez were chosen among the 100 most influential people for the Hispanic community in Massachusetts, an outstanding recognition by El Planeta's power meter.
BSA currently serves 110 children in three locations: Chinatown, Roxbury and Allston. BSA serves children in both public and parochial schools and is funded through a mix of school budget, public and private grants, as well as modest tuition payments from those parents who are able to contribute. Forty-nine percent (49%) of revenue comes from needs-based tuition.
Impact Statement
Through a rigorous audition process, 11 BSA students were selected for a national El Sistema orchestra and flown to Los Angeles for a week-long festival. Students have enjoyed the opportunity to perform for renowned conductors, including Gustavo Dudamel, Sir Simon Rattle, and Benjamin Zander, and have performed on the Esplanade with Boston Landmarks Orchestra. BSA students were accepted into the prestigious music performance programs Greenwood and Sphinx. Further, 100% of our students have been accepted into exam schools over the past three years.
In the current year BSA's goals are to increase access to quality music education in these communities and develop a teacher training strategy which includes training in string pedagogy, strengthening classroom management strategies and promoting children's prosocial behavior.
Needs Statement
As early as 24 months, children in low-income families have been found to show lags in cognitive and behavioral development compared to their peers in higher-income families. Other risk factors, such as living in a single-parent family or low parent education levels, especially when combined with poverty, can markedly decrease children's chances of education attainment, graduating high school, being employed, and avoiding teen parenthood (National Center for Children Living in Poverty Fact Sheet 2012). Many students living in poverty do not have career aspirations or realize they can work toward a career; they lack the hope that so many educators agree is critical to their future success.
BSA is committed to fulfilling its mission to provide vibrant after school string programs for inner-city young students giving them the necessary skills to build a strong foundation in their musical and personal growth. BSA's pressing needs to fulfill its mission include:
1. Teaching and rehearsal space for the downtown/chinatown program.
2. Human Resources: administrative assistant, marketing developer, development expert.
3. Scholarship Fund
CEO Statement
Board Chair Statement
Geographic Area Served
City of Boston- Allston/ Brighton
City of Boston- Downtown
City of Boston- South End/Bay Village
GREATER BOSTON REGION, MA
City of Boston- Chinatown/ Leather District
Organization Categories
- Arts,Culture & Humanities - Music
- Education - Elementary & Secondary Schools
- Youth Development -
Independent research has been conducted on this organization's theory of change or on the effectiveness of this organization's program(s)
No
Programs
String Orchestra Program
Students experience group, ensemble and individual lessons on a weekly basis, masterclasses with renowned guest artists several times per year, solo and ensemble performances in different halls in Boston and other cities throughout the year. They all participate in collaborating performances with the students from our two sites for the end of the semester concerts. They also participate in collaborating activities and and performances with students from other El Sistema inspired programs in Massachusetts, such as: the Annual El Sistema Showcase, performance in Pittsfield with Kids for Harmony students, Day of Joy in Somerville, Sistema Side by Side organized by Longy School of Music, El Sistema Summer Academy, among others. Students receive daily group and orchestral instruction. In addition they all receive an individual lesson once a week. |
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| Budget | $300,000.00 |
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| Category | Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other Music |
| Population Served | K-12 (5-19 years) Minorities |
| Program Short-Term Success | Academic performance: Improvements in GPA, increased number of Honors classes in both programs and acceptances into exam schools. They show proficiency in music theory, rhythmic skills, ear training, Solfege reading and singing, music history, instrument technical skills as assessed by teachers’ observations, quizzes and survey data shows maturity in their interactions with their instructors, visiting artists and peers as assessed by teacher feedback in meetings and observations. 90% BSA attendance and punctuality, and therefore improved school attendance Parents and teachers report that children feel motivated, encouraged, proud of themselves, trusted, challenged, confident, sensitive. They behave better at home and at school. We will implement surveys to students and parents starting in the fall to document these developments. |
| Program Long-Term Success | Develop lifelong learners with multiple intelligences. Prepare students for advanced study or careers in music Strong foundation for musical growth. Students build self-confidence, discipline, persistence, and social skills. Empower children from underserved neighborhoods to become vital citizens, leaders, and agents of change. Improve academic achievement. |
| Program Success Monitored By | -- |
| Examples of Program Success | A handful of world renowned musicians have praised the artistic level of Boston String Academy students. Among these artist are Midori Goto (international concert violinist), Gustavo Dudamel (music director of Los Angeles Philharmonic), Jose Antonio Abreu (Founder of Venezuelan Youth Orchestra program better known as El Sistema), David Ying (cellist of Grammy-Award winning Ying Quartet), Lynn Chang (winner of Paganini Competition and faculty at The Boston Conservatory), Edicson Ruiz (International double bass soloist and member of the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic). |
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
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Management
| CEO/Executive Director | Ms. Marielisa Alvarez |
|---|---|
| CEO Term Start | Nov 2012 |
| CEO Email | [email protected] |
| CEO Experience | Marielisa Alvarez is a graduate of “El Sistema”, the National System of Youth and Children Orchestras of Venezuela. During her time in Venezuela she performed in several orchestras, including the Barquisimeto Youth Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and the Lara Symphony Orchestra. In addition she was featured as a soloist with orchestras and recitals organized by the Latin American Violin Academy. Ms. Alvarez has performed at festivals and master classes in countries such as Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, United States, Switzerland, Hungary, and Finland. She has studied and collaborated with members of the Berlin Philharmonic String Quartet, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Irina Muresanu, Andres Cardenes, Pamela Franck, Joseph Silverstein, and Gustavo Dudamel, among others. Her principal mentors during her violin and string pedagogy studies have been Francisco Díaz, José Francisco Del Castillo, Sophie Vilker, Rictor Noren, Mela Tenenbaum, Mimi Zweig, and Geza Szilvay. Ms. Alvarez is also faculty at Longy School of Music of Bard College and its Sistema Side by Side Series. She has been a guest speaker at Harvard University, New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music, Day to Aspire String Teacher Workshop in Boston, among others. Recently, in the Spring of 2016, Marielisa was chosen among the 100 most influential people for the Hispanic community in Massachusetts. Ms. Alvarez continues to collaborate with Venezuela by teaching in its different nucleos and summer festivals. She also collaborates with other El Sistema-inspired programs in the U.S. and abroad. Marielisa holds a Master of Music Degree and a Graduate Performance Diploma from The Boston Conservatory. As a co-director she is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic planning of the organization. Other key responsibilities include fundraising, marketing, community outreach and board development. |
| Co-CEO | Ms. Mariesther Alvarez |
| Co-CEO Term Start | Nov 2012 |
| Co-CEO Email | [email protected] |
| Co-CEO Experience | Mariesther Alvarez is a founder and co-director of the Boston String Academy, an El Sistema- inspired program which hosts an outstanding children’s string orchestra curriculum. Ms. Alvarez holds a Master of Music Degree and a Graduate Performance Diploma from The Boston Conservatory, where she was a student of Professor Rictor Noren. Previous violin instructors include Sophie Vilker, Francisco Diaz, and Jose Francisco Del Castillo. A native of Venezuela, Mariesther is a graduate of ”El Sistema”, the National System of Youth and Children Orchestras. In Venezuela, she was a member of the Lara Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. She also performed as a soloist and chamber musician at several festivals organized by the Latin American Violin Academy. Mariesther has attended a number of international festivals including the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, and the Liminka International Music Course in Finland; Prelude Music Academy in Wisconsin and Argentina; the summer violin courses provided by the Latin American Violin Academy in Venezuela. Mariesther applies a unique pedagogical approach combining different methods and techniques from her own training at El Sistema in Venezuela, studies with Rictor Noren at the Boston Conservatory, the period of study with Mimi Zweig at the String Academy of Indiana University, and with the founder of the Colourstrings method, Geza Szilvay in Hungary and Finland. In the Spring of 2016, she was chosen among the 100 most influential people for the Hispanic community in Massachusetts. Ms. Alvarez is currently faculty Longy School of Music of Bard College and its Sistema Side by Side Series. As a co-director she is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic planning of the organization. Other key responsibilities include fundraising, marketing, community outreach and board development. |
Former CEOs and Terms
| Name | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | -- |
Senior Staff
| Name | Title | Experience/Biography |
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| -- | -- | -- |
Awards
| Award | Awarding Organization | Year |
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| -- | -- | -- |
Affiliations
| Affiliation | Year |
|---|---|
| -- | -- |
| Member of state association of nonprofits? | No |
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| Name of state association | -- |
External Assessments and Accreditations
| External Assessment or Accreditation | Year |
|---|---|
| -- | -- |
Collaborations
BSA has deepened its partnerships with Gardner Pilot Academy and St. Patrick schools to provide the string orchestra program on their respective campuses. BSA continues to expand its pool of collaborating organizations every year including the Boston Conservatory, Youth and Family Enrichment Services (YOFES), Boston Children's Chorus, Kids 4 Harmony, Longy School of Music, Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Boston Cultural Council, Harvard/Allston Partnership Fund, Bravo Youth Orchestras, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, and Los Angeles Philharmonic's Take a Stand Festival. These partnerships deepen our connection with each community and strengthen our ability to provide high quality instruction and a musical foundation that is something traditionally available only to higher income students.
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
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Foundation Comments
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Staff Information
| Number of Full Time Staff | 0 |
|---|---|
| Number of Part Time Staff | 3 |
| Number of Volunteers | 6 |
| Number of Contract Staff | 5 |
| Staff Retention Rate % | -- |
Staff Demographics
| Ethnicity | African American/Black: 0 Asian American/Pacific Islander: 1 Caucasian: 1 Hispanic/Latino: 5 Native American/American Indian: 0 Other: 1 Other (if specified): -- |
|---|---|
| Gender | Female: 5 Male: 8 Not Specified 0 |
Plans & Policies
| Organization has Fundraising Plan? | Under Development |
|---|---|
| Organization has Strategic Plan? | Under Development |
| Years Strategic Plan Considers | -- |
| Management Succession Plan | Under Development |
| Business Continuity of Operations Plan | No |
| Organization Policies And Procedures | Under Development |
| Nondiscrimination Policy | Under Development |
| Whistle Blower Policy | No |
| Document Destruction Policy | -- |
| Directors and Officers Insurance Policy | Yes |
| State Charitable Solicitations Permit | -- |
| State Registration | -- |
Risk Management Provisions
| -- |
Reporting and Evaluations
| Management Reports to Board? | Yes |
|---|---|
| CEO Formal Evaluation and Frequency | N/A N/A |
| Senior Management Formal Evaluation and Frequency | N/A N/A |
| Non Management Formal Evaluation and Frequency | N/A N/A |
Governance
| Board Chair | Dr Erik Gregory |
|---|---|
| Board Chair Company Affiliation | Harvard Humanist Hub |
| Board Chair Term | Nov 2012 - |
| Board Co-Chair | -- |
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| Board Co-Chair Company Affiliation | -- |
| Board Co-Chair Term | - |
Board Members
| Name | Company Affiliations | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Erik Gregory | Harvard Humanist Hub | Voting |
| Gregory Karas | Mount Ida College | Voting |
| Taide Prieto | Longy School of Music | Voting |
| Maria Rodman | Boys and Girls Clubs of Farmington | Voting |
Constituent Board Members
| Name | Company Affiliations | Status |
|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | -- |
Youth Board Members
| Name | Company Affiliations | Status |
|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | -- |
Advisory Board Members
| Name | Company Affiliations | Status |
|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | -- |
Board Demographics
| Ethnicity | African American/Black: 0 Asian American/Pacific Islander: 0 Caucasian: 2 Hispanic/Latino: 2 Native American/American Indian: 0 Other: 0 Other (if specified): -- |
|---|---|
| Gender | Female: 2 Male: 2 Not Specified 0 |
Board Information
| Board Term Lengths | -- |
|---|---|
| Board Term Limits | -- |
| Board Meeting Attendance % | -- |
| Written Board Selection Criteria | Under Development |
| Written Conflict Of Interest Policy | Under Development |
| Percentage of Monetary Contributions | 50% |
| Percentage of In-Kind Contributions | 100% |
| Constituency Includes Client Representation | No |
Standing Committees
-
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CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
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Foundation Comments
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Financials
Revenue vs. Expense ($000s)
Expense Breakdown 2016 (%)
Expense Breakdown 2015 (%)
Expense Breakdown 2014 (%)
| Fiscal Year | July 01, 2017 to June 30, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Projected Income | $240,973.00 |
| Projected Expense | $240,973.00 |
| Form 990s | |
| Audit Documents | -- |
| IRS Letter of Exemption |
Prior Three Years Total Revenue and Expense Totals
| Fiscal Year | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $186,900 | $128,616 | $69,689 |
| Total Expenses | $167,793 | $110,783 | $69,684 |
Prior Three Years Revenue Sources
| Fiscal Year | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation and Corporation Contributions |
-- | -- | -- |
| Government Contributions | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Federal | -- | -- | -- |
| State | -- | -- | -- |
| Local | -- | -- | -- |
| Unspecified | -- | -- | -- |
| Individual Contributions | $44,597 | $10,613 | $14,230 |
| Indirect Public Support | -- | -- | -- |
| Earned Revenue | $142,303 | $118,003 | $55,459 |
| Investment Income, Net of Losses | -- | -- | -- |
| Membership Dues | -- | -- | -- |
| Special Events | -- | -- | -- |
| Revenue In-Kind | -- | -- | -- |
| Other | -- | -- | -- |
Prior Three Years Expense Allocations
| Fiscal Year | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Expense | $151,948 | $85,000 | $55,000 |
| Administration Expense | $15,845 | $25,783 | $14,684 |
| Fundraising Expense | -- | -- | -- |
| Payments to Affiliates | -- | -- | -- |
| Total Revenue/Total Expenses | 1.11 | 1.16 | 1.00 |
| Program Expense/Total Expenses | 91% | 77% | 79% |
| Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Prior Three Years Assets and Liabilities
| Fiscal Year | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $46,694 | $23,283 | $5,450 |
| Current Assets | $46,694 | $23,283 | $5,450 |
| Long-Term Liabilities | -- | $0 | $0 |
| Current Liabilities | $4,304 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Net Assets | $42,390 | $23,283 | $5,450 |
Prior Three Years Top Three Funding Sources
| Fiscal Year | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (Source and Amount) |
-- -- |
-- -- |
-- -- |
| 2nd (Source and Amount) |
-- -- |
-- -- |
-- -- |
| 3rd (Source and Amount) |
-- -- |
-- -- |
-- -- |
Financial Planning
| Endowment Value | -- |
|---|---|
| Spending Policy | -- |
| Percentage(If selected) | -- |
| Credit Line | No |
| Reserve Fund | Yes |
| How many months does reserve cover? | -- |
Capital Campaign
| Are you currently in a Capital Campaign? | No |
|---|---|
| Capital Campaign Purpose | -- |
| Campaign Goal | -- |
| Capital Campaign Dates | - |
| Capital Campaign Raised-to-Date Amount | -- |
| Capital Campaign Anticipated in Next 5 Years? | -- |
Short Term Solvency
| Fiscal Year | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities | 10.85 | -- | -- |
Long Term Solvency
| Fiscal Year | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term Liabilities/Total Assets | 0% | 0% | 0% |
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
Foundation Comments
Documents
Other Documents
| No Other Documents currently available. |
Impact
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