Society & Culture
Vincent James and Joann Pierdomenico are founders of the non-profit Keep Music Alive and the international music holidays Teach Music Week (March) and Kids Music Day (October). Each year, they partner with 750+ music schools and stores in over a dozen countries to offer free lessons to new students and to hold special events that benefit and celebrate kids playing music. These events include student performances, instrument petting zoos, drum and ukulele circles, and instrument donation drives. Kids Music Day Ambassadors include celebrities Julie Andrews, Jack Black, Sarah McLachlan, Kenny Loggins, Michael Feinstein, Vanessa Williams, and Pat Benatar. In 2019, they produced more than a dozen Musical Instrument Petting Zoo events with keyboards, guitars, ukuleles and dozens of different percussion instruments throughout the Philadelphia region at schools, libraries and other public spaces. They will hold their first-ever virtual instrument petting zoo on June 20 at a local library! Vincent and Joann are the authors of the 88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life book series. Each edition features more than 100 inspirational music stories from around the world, many contributed by well-known artists. They donate 80% of book sale proceeds to music education and service non-profit organizations. They are currently seeking inspirational music stories for Volume 2, to be published in November 2020. Vincent and Joann are helping to promote a virtual Make Music Day in the Philadelphia area on June 21, 2020. Founded as Le Fete de la Musique in France in 1982, it encourages musicians of all styles and abilities to put on free public performances. Info: www.keepmusicalive.org