Testimonials From Grant Awardees

by Cara L. Cipollone, a teenage award-winner

…On May 18, 1990, I was at a NYSSA All-County audition and, thanks to you, The Mark Brent Dolinsky Memorial Foundation, and a few short days of hard practicing, I obtained an overall status of 92%. You see, Thursday, May 3, 1990, only 15 days before my audition, I was not prepared to show for it. I was not ready as I hadn’t even chosen a piece for my solo. I lost confidence in my drumming and was all set to give up, when I was presented with your award. That night I decided that if my band and orchestra instructor, along with your organization, had confidence in me, then so should I…I hope that your son Mark had as much fun playing his trumpet as I do my drums. I try to show as much enthusiasm and support for my musical peers and groups as I can and it’s a magnificent surprise to be rewarded for this….

by Jennifer Chadeayne, a teenage award-winner

…My name is Jennifer Chadeayne and I am thirteen years old. I have been dancing since I was two. In all my eleven years of dancing this is my first time winning a scholarship. I would like to thank you for making it possible. The scholarship means a lot to me. My dream is to become a dancer and dance teacher and hopefully this will help. The scholarship will help my parents out a lot financially since they only have to pay for two classes instead of five…This proved to me that I can accomplish anything I set out to do even if I don’t think I can do it…

by Michelle Levister Bozeman

I'm proud to say that music has and always will be part of my life. After leaving White Plains, I studied violin performance at the Northwestern University School of Music. In the 90's, I moved to Richmond, Virginia and worked as an Information Technology consultant. Eventually, I joined the Richmond Philharmonic and remained with them until 1999. After accepting a position with Microsoft, I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and joined the Charlotte Repertory Orchestra, now called the Charlotte Civic Orchestra. Most recently I joined the Orchestra's Board of Directors and became their Chief Technical Advisor, developing their website and managing fundraising and sponsorship.

While working with our orchestra, I realize how fortunate I was to have been a foundation scholarship recipient. I received a quality music education not available to most children. I met some wonderful people while serving on the Foundation Advisory Board. As a teenager, it was important to have such positive influences in my life. That's why I am so happy to hear that the foundation is continuing its work. I also recognize how difficult it is to ran a non-profit organization. I commend you for your continued dedication and enthusiasm.

So, as I'm working to raise funds for the Charlotte Civic Orchestra and asking my community to support us, I realize that it's time for me to give back to the foundation that supported me many years ago. Enclosed is my check.

by Kimberly Wood, a teenage award-winner who also became a Foundation volunteer

…I am extremely honored to have been chosen to receive this year’s Mark Brent Dolinsky Memorial Foundation Music Award. It was a very pleasant surprise, and I cannot tell you how much my confidence in my playing has increased upon receiving such a prestigious award…I play three instruments [clarinet, drums and saxophone]…I’ve been attending the Westchester Summer Music Center for about four years now, and I plan to use this money to help pay for my lessons there, as well as music supplies…

by John G. Murphy, former Director of Friends of Karen, writing on behalf of the families who received tickets to a holiday program, families experiencing the tragedy of a child with terminal illness

…The one word that seemed to be on everyone’s lips after the Nutcracker Ballet performances was “wonderful!!”…I have to share the story of one of the children who attended…One little girl had told her mother that she really wanted to see a ballet…After the performance they were so grateful for a wonderful time out from sickness and heartbreak. Your performance – your gift – will probably be the last opportunity for the ballet so important to that little girl. She is not expected to make it…

Testimonial From A Member of the Board of Directors

by Elly Kopmar

…My greatest source of pride, however, is in the continuing number of teenagers who join the Foundation Board and add immeasurably to the realization of our goals. Many are recipients of Foundation scholarships or awards. Inspired by the work we do, they offer their time and services to the Foundation. And so – as I like to think of it – they complete our circle of giving. Their enthusiastic reports about the Foundation influence other students to join us as Board members. As teenagers themselves, they are acutely sensitive to the special needs of many adolescent groups in our community, such as HERO, Friends of Karen, and The Westchester Behavioral Institute, whose disadvantages we address. The dedication of our young Board members is to be lauded as the most fitting tribute to the work we do…

Testimonial From A Donor Organization

by Wendy Dale, Faculty Advisor to S.E.E.D., on behalf of seven student Officers

…In the past several years The Mark Brent Dolinsky Memorial Foundation has done many wonderful things for our students. The initiatives that have been undertaken to aid our community have been great. S.E.E.D., or Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity, is a group that meets at White Plains High School weekly. It serves as an open forum for high school students to discuss controversial issues of race and tolerance…Each year we vote upon a foundation to which we would like to donate money and this year we decided that we wanted to donate to your Foundation. The money we give is raised through fundraisers that we do throughout the school year such as the selling of food/candy, washing cars…our group hopes that it can further help your Foundation grow so that it may continue to do good things in our community…