Press Releases

Valley Community Homes and Harrod Homes Donate Scholarship Awards for Young Musicians

SALINAS, Calif. - Nine talented musicians from La Paz Middle School will have the opportunity to continue their musical journey this summer at the Cazadero Performing Arts Camp, thanks to a $5,000 scholarship contributed by Salinas homebuilders Valley Community Homes and Harrod Homes. The builders graciously provided support after one of the program's major sponsors recently pulled its funding.

At tonight's Board Meeting at 6 p.m., the Alisal Union School District will recognize Valley Community Homes and Harrod Homes for their contribution, as well as award the scholarships to the nine students.

Cazadero Performing Arts Camp (CazPAC), based in Berkeley, is one of Northern California's finest and most popular summer youth music programs, located in a forest of old-growth redwoods near the Russian River. In this beautiful setting, a diverse population of students ages 10-18 take part in a comprehensive music curriculum, including large and small ensemble performance and private instrumental instruction.

"Support from Valley Community Homes and Harrod Homes will assist Cazadero Performing Arts Camp in rewarding these youth for the dedication and perseverance they have shown. To most of these youth, two weeks at Cazadero will not only be the highlight of their summer, it will be one of the most positive experiences of their young lives," said Dan Santo, Member of the CazPAC Board of Directors.

In 1999 CazPAC initiated a program with the Alisal Union School District (AUSD) known as the Diversity Initiative. This program is aimed at reaching out to children from under-privileged families to help them overcome various economic, cultural, and language barriers that they face.

The Diversity Initiative was created out of a partnership with AUSD's Frank Paul Elementary School's Room 24 Band, led by Ms. Jeannie Echenique. The program works to identify and connect with public school music teachers like Ms. Echenique, and strives to recruit teachers' involvement and assistance in promoting and enhancing their students' exposure to music. The success of the Diversity Initiative is evident from the growth and advancement of the relationship between CazPAC and the Salinas students.

"In these times of limited resources, the Alisal Union School District is delighted with the support provided by Valley Community Homes and Harrod Homes to continue such worthy music programs," commented Dr. Barry Schimmel, AUSD Deputy Superintendent.

For many of the students from Salinas, the opportunity to attend CazPAC has been the major encouragement to study music and, more significantly, to remain in school. Under the guidance of inspiring professional musicians and the influence of great music, these students learn to take on significant personal challenges to become the best artist they can be.

CazPAC Executive Director David Shaw added, "The steady progress that the Salinas students have made over the first four years of this program has inspired all of us at Cazadero to seek out broader support for our Diversity Initiative."

Valley Community Homes partner Brad Smith, builder of the recently-approved Mountain Valley subdivision in East Salinas, said, "It is encouraging to provide kids with a passion for music the opportunity to improve their skills in such a constructive environment as Cazadero Performing Arts Camp."

Alisal Union School District is located at 1205 E. Market St. in Salinas. The meeting is held in the District Board Room.

For more information about Cazadero Performing Arts Camp, please visit their web site at www.cazpac.org.