President's Message
In 1997, Jim Paul, Dee Wells and Dorothy Klotzman established the Academy of Music Northwest to provide intensive music studies for gifted young musicians. By 2011, their mission was conducted in five different locations, which were quickly outgrown by increasing enrollments. Our former location, was unable to facilitate our continuing pattern of growth beyond 2011-12. When that property was sold, an intensive search led us to our fine new location at the Woodinville Montessori School in Bothell, 1 block off I-405 at Exit 24. See Locations page.
With a strong enrollment averaging 125 students, and many more waiting to get in, the Academy’s work is complimented by eight fine concert pianos, six electronic keyboards, an estimable music score library, and array of children’s instruments, recording and listening electronics and a large library of music texts, reference works, CD’s, videos and music anthologies. Every class/rehearsal room is equipped with an excellent piano and fine, staff-lined music white-boards where superb classes, rehearsals and master classes occur weekly.
We are eager to find our own permanent Academy home: a huge physical and financial effort. But where will we find our major donors? It is my hope and expectation that they live here among us, and that the Academy will eventually be the beneficiaries of those who care about classical music performance and music education, and who want to invest in the future of Americas’ next generation of teachers and seasoned performers, composers and conductors.
Let me tell you about the City of Edmonds renaissance. Rick Steves, Edmonds based travel writer and public broadcasting host, who announced he will donate $1million to the Edmonds Center for the Arts. By his own admission, he is giving the tax cuts he received from the Bush Tax Cuts back to his community, and he challenges the wealthy to do the same. “We’re in a wealthy community, but where’s the money?” he asks. Steves wants his donation to be a challenge to others in the area to consider investing in the cultural events of the community. He describes it as a civic duty for businessmen like himself, who’ve directly benefited from our vibrant communities, to do their fair share.
At our numerous concerts, benefits and recitals presented by Academy students, alumni and guests, audiences are very often amazed at the maturity and elegance of performances presented by our young artist-musicians. Such enrichment is priceless. A successful career in classical music must begin in childhood and continue non-stop into adulthood. The Academy’s job is to provide that opportunity for regional young artists in their pursuit of excellence.
Help us celebrate the uniqueness of our vibrant student community of performers, composers and conductors. Help us to grow. Sustain us in our period of wider service to our beloved northwest
Our hope is that the community which we serve with distinction will find it appropriate to give something back in return. Support of the arts and music education is good business. Thank you to all of you have been faithful supporters, and welcome to all new supporters of the only preparatory music program producing graduates at this level in the Pacific Northwest.
President
