DanMeyers Oneofmyfavoritemomentsthisyearhappenedin thelead-uptothe8thgradesoloconcert ahighstressmilestoneforanystudent Sensingthe emotionsintheroom,ateacherofferedaquiet studyperiodtohelpthemdecompresspriortothe concert Instead,ourstudentsaskediftheycouldgo totheauditoriumandworkshoptheirpieceswith andforeachother.Whenanxietycouldhavedriven theminward,theyinstinctivelyturnedtowardone another.Theychosetomakeeachotherbetter, offeringfeedbackwithgenerosityandreceivingit withgrace.Thisistheheartofchambermusicand theheartofwhoweare.
Thismomentcapturedsomethingspecialabout Crowdenthisyear:acommunitythatdoesn’tjust talkaboutinclusionandcollaboration wepractice it,againandagain,bychoosingtocometogether.I witnesseditwhenourK–8andcommunity educationfacultycametogetherforprofessional developmentworkshopsfocusedonsupporting diverselearners Theseeducatorscouldhave workedseparately,buttheychosetolearntogether, tostrengthentheircollectiveabilitytowelcomeand nurtureeverystudent Watchingthemshare strategies,askquestions,andbuildoneachother's expertiseremindedmethatgreatteaching,like greatmusic-making,happensbestinensemble.
Aswepreparetowelcomeourfirst kindergartenclassthisfall,Ithinkabouthow thesefive-year-oldswillbeshapedby enteringacommunitythatsoconsistently choosescollaborationoverisolation, connectionovercompetition They'lllearn theirlettersandnumbers,butthey'llalsolearn somethingmorefundamental—thatthemost meaningfulworkhappenswhenwecreateit together.Thisimpulsetocometogether shapeseverythingwedoatCrowden,right downtoourconcerts.Everyperformance endsthesameway notjustwithapplause, butwithtablessetandthearomaof homemadedishesintheair.Themusicmay stop,butthecomingtogethercontinuesas ourcommunitysharesameal.These potlucksaren'tjustanicetradition;they'rea perfectembodimentofwhoweare Wemake beautifulmusictogether,andthenwebreak breadtogether
Inaworldthatoftenemphasizes individualachievement,ourstudentsare learningadifferentwayofbeing.They're discoveringthatcomingtogetherdoesn't diminishindividualexcellence—it amplifiesit.That'sthegiftthey'llcarry withthemlongaftertheygraduate:the deepknowledgethatthemostbeautiful thingsinlifearecreatedtogether.
FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EugeneSor EveryyearatCrowdenbringsauniquesetof studentjourneys,somesmooth,somebumpy, eachcollidingawkwardlybeforeharmoniously arrivingattheirnextdestinations These journeysmirrortheprocessfromtherehearsal roomtothestage:musicstudentsatvarious stagesofdevelopment,manymeetingforthe firsttime,aretaskedwithbringingtheirownskill setstoaprocesswhichwillultimatelyseethem presentamagnificentpieceofarttothe concertstageforhundredsofpeople.
Thankyouforbeingpartofthatfabrictoo! Yourpresenceinourcommunityensuresthat ourstudentscontinuetohavetheopportunity togrowintotheoutstandingadultstheworld needs,andforCrowdentoprovidethe educationandmusicthatmovesus.
Aswemakeourwaydeeperintothe21st century,withourbackgroundsgrowing increasinglymorediverseandtechnology becomingexponentiallymoredistracting(but alsouseful),thispastyear—likeall40years precedingit—demonstratedtheimmense valueofaCrowdeneducation.Ourgifted musicfacultyguidedstudentstoexceptional musicalperformancestimeandtimeagain, andwithinthatprocessourstudentslearned valuesbeyondthejoyofmusic.Crowden studentslearndisciplinethroughtheir practice,patience,andempathy; communicationthroughtheircollaborations; andpoise,vulnerability,andexpression throughtheirperformance,tonamejustavery fewvaluesthatarepartofCrowden’sfabric.
Anewlookforanewera Thisfall,Crowdenisunveilingaforward-looking brandidentitythathonorsourdeeprootsinchamber music Fromournewlogotoavibrantvisualstyle,the updatereflectsthespiritofourcommunity
UsetheQRcodetovisitoursiteandlearnmore!
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CROWDENSCHOOL UpClosewiththeMasters:World-ClassMusiciansatCrowden BuildingaStrongerSchoolCommunity “TeacheroftheYear:ChamberMusic”byNoelleLai,7 grade th 24-25CrowdenSchoolbytheNumbers
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DiscordonDiscord:ACantataisBorn GrowingOurReachwithUkulele FromCommunityEducationtoCrowdenSchool:AYoung Pianist’sStory
CommunityEducationbytheNumbers
MusicMinds,ScienceFutures HighSchoolandUniversityAcceptances
L E O F C O N T E N T S
UpClosewiththeMasters:World-ClassMusiciansatCrowden Thisyearwasanexceptionalyearfor masterclassesatCrowden,withmoreworld-class artistsvisitingthaneverbefore.Continuingour traditionofbringingrenownedmusicianstowork directlywithstudents,ourstudentsexperienced anextraordinaryarrayoflearningopportunities withacclaimedperformers.
WewerealsohonoredtowelcometheCavani Quartet,MadsTolling,andtheAlexanderString Quartetformasterclassesthroughouttheyear. Theseensemblesofferedinvaluableinstructionin chambermusic,focusingoncollaboration, interpretation,andgroupperformancedynamics.
Wearegratefultohaveworkedwithsuch exceptionalartistsandlookforwardtocontinuing ourpartnershipwithSanFranciscoPerformances tobringevenmoreinspiringmusiciansto Crowden
ThankstothegenerosityofSanFrancisco Performances,wehadtheprivilegeofhostingtwo internationallycelebratedviolinists:Midoriand RandallGoosby.Bothartists,nowfaculty membersatTheJuilliardSchool,areknownfor theirexquisiteperformancesandalsobeing outstandingteachers.IntheirCrowden masterclasses,theymadestudentsfeelatease whileencouragingthemtoexplorenew approachestotheirmusic.
Crowdenhasaverynice community.Theyhelpmegrow intoapositiveandattentive personandhelpexplainthingsin waysthatIcanunderstand.NowI feellikeIcanspeakupformyselfin anassertivewayandhavean understandingofthings.Crowden isthereasonI'vegonethisfar.
MARCUSPARR,7THGRADE
BuildingaStrongerSchoolCommunity AtransformationistakingshapeatCrowden School.ThisyearTylerPowles,Crowden’sfifth gradeteacher,tookonanadditionalroleas SchoolCultureCoordinator.Hisgoalwastocreate moreconsistencyandstrongersystemsacross theschool.
Tylerbroughtrelevantexperiencetotherole.After studyingeducationatEmersonCollege,Tyler movedtoCaliforniatoteachfourthgradeat Caliber:BetaAcademyinRichmond.There,he advancedtofourthgradeTeamLeadand becamethe3-5GradeScienceProgramand CurriculumLeadwhilementoringnewteachers. HejoinedCrowdenin2021tocontinuedeveloping inquiry-basedcurriculumandsupportsocialemotionallearning.
TYLERPOWLES DEANOFSTUDENTS HEIDIMATTSON DEANOFACADEMICS BuildingSystems Tylerfocusedoncreatingclear,consistent approachestoclassroommanagementand studentsupport Heworkedwiththefaculty duringAuguststaffweekandmonthly professionaldevelopmentsessionstoalign practicesacrossclassrooms
Tylercreatedspaceforusto collaborateinawaythatfelthonest andproductive.
Hedidn’tcomeinwithallthe answers.Heaskedquestionsand helpedusbuildsystemsgrounded inrestorativepracticesthat actuallyworkforourstudentsand classrooms. It’schangedthewayIapproach challengesdaytoday.
LEAHBASSOFF,6 GRADETEACHERTH
Fiveteachersformedgroupstoworkmore closelywithTylerthroughouttheyear,meeting regularlytoreflectontheirpracticeandtrynew approaches.Thesesessionsbecamea cornerstoneofprofessionalgrowth,creating spaceforhonestconversationaboutwhatwas workingandwhatwasn't.
StudentMediation&BuddyRooms Incollaborationwithfellowfaculty,Tylerhelped launchastudentmediationprogramthat empowersstudentstoresolveconflictswith supportfromtrainedpeermediators,promoting listening,communication,andsharedproblemsolvingovertraditionaldiscipline.Reflecting Crowden’srestorativeapproachand commitmenttostudentagency,theprogram quicklybecameacorepartofschoolculture. Facultyalsopiloteda“BuddyRoom”protocol, offeringstudentsaneutralspaceinanother classroomtotakeabreakandreset.Theinitiative notonlyhelpedstudentsreturntoclassmore focusedbutalsofosteredstrongerconnections acrossgradelevelsandwillbeimplemented school-widenextyear.
wantedtobepartof, Tylernoted Theywerent justfollowingrules;theywerehelpingtoshape theculture" everyonecanthrive.
TeacheroftheYear:ChamberMusic byNoelleLai,7thgrade
Noelle,a7thgradeviolinist,wrotethisforher personalessayforher7thgradeEnglishclass.
Somepeoplesaythattheydon’tlearnmany thingsfromchambermusicthattheycanapply totheireverydaylife.I,however,havelearnedso muchnotonlyfromtheideaofchambermusic, butalsofromtheexperienceitself.Chamber musichastaughtmethevalueofteamwork, anditcontinuestogivememomentsthat inspiremetokeepplaying.Learningthefeeling ofnotbeingalone,howtocherishmoments more,andhowtounderstandand communicateemotionseasier,allremindme whychambermusicisoneofmybestteachers.
Oneofthebestthingschambermusichas givenmeisthefeelingofnotbeingaloneon stage.Sixyearsago,Iperformedmyfirst ensembleasthefirstviolinistinaquartet.I rememberthinking“Wow!Chambermusicis actuallyreallyfun!”Thatoneperformance openedmyeyestoanewformofmusicand howgreatitfeels.Knowingyourfriendsareright besideyou,playingthesameoverallpiecewith justdifferentparts,givesmeasenseofrelief thatI'mnotalone.Performingaloneshiftsallthe attentiontowardsmewhichgivesmean uneasyfeeling,ultimatelymakingmeeven moreworriedtomessup.
However,whenI'mplayingorperforming chambermusic,IrealizehowmuchcalmerIam before,during,andaftertheperformance. Experiencingbothofthesescenariosasa musiciannotonlyimprovesmyoverall techniquebutalsogrowsmyappreciationfor chambermusicandthepeoplebesideme.
Throughoutmyyearsofplayingchambermusic, I'vemadesomanyhappymemoriesthatIwishI didn’ttakeforgranted.Forexampleatmy2024 chambermusicsummercamp,myensemble wentbusking,hadfun,madejokesbutitall happenedwithintwoshortweeks.Itooksucha shorttimeforgranted,andnowIwonderif cherishingthosemomentsmoreatthetime wouldhavemadethemstickbetter.Itrulyfeltlike myselfinthosemoments.UntilIstartedthis personalessay,Ineverreallyrealizedhowmuch I’mmyselfwhileIplaychambermusic.Ifeel happy,freetoacthowIwant,andfreeof judgement.
Unfortunately,I’vealwayshadahardtime communicatingemotionsandmyselfthrough words.Ontheotherhand,whenitcomesto chambermusic,Ilearnedthatwordsaren’t
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TeacheroftheYear:ChamberMusic(continued) theonlywaytocommunicate.Usingdifferent melodies,dynamics,and/orbowtechniques canallhelpyouconnectwithothers.Thiswayo communicationhasmademelearnthatmusi istrulyanotherformoflanguage.Bygrowingu withthisnewpersonalformofcommunication I’vebeenabletoexpressemotionsthrough waysI'venevereventhoughtof,andchamber musichashelpedmegrowthat.Byputtingme inanensemblewithothers,ithasnotonly helpedmewithsocialization,butalsowith makingnewfriendsandmeetingnewpeople.
Forthesereasons,whenyou’reimmersedina funenvironmentlikechambermusic,youcan discoverthetruebeautyofnotonlyothersbut alsoofthemusic.WithoutchambermusicI wouldn’tbewhoIamnow,Iwouldneverhave knownthegreatfeelingofnotbeingalone,and wouldneverhaveknowntheimportanceof cherishingmyrealhappymoments.
InMarch,thefifthgradeclasshostedafundraisersupportingWorldCentralKitchen’sLos Angelesfirereliefefforts.Theyraised$1,000(tobedoubled),sharingfoodandspreading awarenessaboutWCK’smissiontoprovidenourishingmealsintimesofcrisis.
ACADEMICFACULTY
DiscordonDiscord:ACantataisBorn Whatdoyougetwhentwoyoungcomposers,a friendlyflamewar,andanentireDiscordserver walkintoacompositionalmindset?Youget DiscordonDiscord,acantataforgedfromdigital chaos,metafiction,andremarkableteamwork It allbegan,fittingly,online
"Theinspirationforthispiecewasaconversation intheofficialJohnAdamsYoungComposers ProgramDiscordserver,"explainsNicoleTargosz. "Whichescalatedquicklyintoasemi-elaborate roleplay or,asourcompositionteacherMatthew Cmielcalledit,'averycomicalcreativewriting duelofwits.'"
Yes—ourJohnAdamsYoungComposers ProgramhasanofficialDiscord.Ifyou'renot familiarwithDiscord,thinkofitlikeanold-school chatroom,butwaycooler.
Thisimprompturoleplayspiraledintosomething more:asprawling,semi-satiricalsagaofpower struggles,digitaldominion,andoperaticintensity, ripeformusicaladaptation NicoleTargoszand ChristianJones,bothco-authorsoftheoriginal text,realizedtheyhadnochoicebuttofinishwhat theystarted—thistime,withinstruments
TheAdultChamberMusicProgramisa joy;itsstructureisterrific—eight coachedsessionsandaconcert,and I'vealwaysreallyenjoyedgettingto knowthepeopleI'veplayedwith.
CAROLT.CHRIST FORMERUCBERKELEYCHANCELLOR& CURRENTADULTCHAMBERMUSICSTUDENT
"Sincewehadalreadyworkedtogetheronthe sourcematerial,collaboratingtoadaptitintoa cantatawastheonlyreasonablechoice,"Nicole adds.Theresultingworkbecameadeep(and occasionallyridiculous)reflectionontheir sharedexperiencesintheprogram andmusic itself."Itincorporatedmanymetafictional elements,"shenotes,"andthesheersizemeant itneededbothofustocomposeit."
Theduoapproachedtheprojectwithbothrigor andcreativity,splittingmajortasksandwriting keythemesforeachother'scharacters.They evenwoveinanodtoanearlierpiecebyJones, APurpleParachute,amusicalEastereggfor thoseintheknow."Christianusedaleitmotif associatedwiththedictatorsaying'Iwin,you lose,'"Nicolerecalls,"whichappearedinboth myariaandthefinalconfrontation.Hearingitin performancewaschilling itwasthemoment yourealizedthedictatorhadalreadylost."
Theircollaborativeprocess halfblueprint,half creativetennismatch reflectsaskillthatgoes beyondscoringnotes."Themajorityofthe collaborationwasabalancingact,"Nicolesays, "betweenmaintainingauniformstyleand gettingthethingdone."Inotherwords: structuredchaos Justlikethecantata
BothChristianandNicolearegraduatingfrom theprogramthisyearbeforeheadingtocollege ForNicole,theprogramhasleftalastingimprint "EvenwhenI'mnotactivelycomposing,"she says,"Inoticemyselfpickinguponmore musicaldetails howeverythingfitstogether, andwhyapieceiscompelling It'sawayof thinkingIdidn'tknowwaspossiblebefore"
So,what'sherfavoritemomentfromthe wholewhirlwind?"Theopeningofthefinale. It'sChristian'stheme,butwarpedintoa slightlymalevolentwaltz.That'swhenyou realize:thecharacterhasbecomewhathe soughttodestroy.Plus,it'sjustfun."
GrowingOurReachwithUkulele Thankstothegenerosityofourcommunity, Crowdenisexpandingourmusicofferingsfor studentsthisyearwithabrand-newguitar andukuleleprogram
Classicalguitarhaslongbeeninhighdemand atCrowden,butwenoticedthatmany youngerstudents’handsaren’tquitereadyfor thefullsizeandcomplexityoftheinstrument Tomeettheseyoungmusicianswherethey are,we’restartingwiththeukulele,an accessibleandversatileinstrumentperfectly suitedtodevelopingcoordination,rhythm,and musicalconfidence
Thisnewprogramisopentoeveryone whether you’repickinguptheinstrumentforthefirst timeoralreadyhavesomeexperience We’ll offerprivatelessonsforguitarandukulele,as wellasagroupBeginningUkuleleclasswhere younglearnerscanlearnandgrowtogether It’s allabouthavingfuninasupportive environment,buildingrealskills,andenjoying makingmusicwithothers
Ukuleleisthebestgatewayto classicalguitar! BETHVANDERVENNET ASSOCIATEARTISTICDIRECTOR
Crowdenintroducedtheukulelebyaddingitas anoptiontoScrape,Squawk,andBangcamp thissummer,andthestudentswereabsolutely thrilled.Theirenthusiasmandjoyinmaking musictogetherhavebeentrulyinspiring.
TheseinnovationsreflectCrowden’songoing commitmenttonurturingalifelongloveof musicbymeetingeachstudentattheirown paceandinterests.
FromCommunityEducationtoCrowdenSchool: AYoungPianist’sStory Inthequietofhisroom,Miles apianostudent inCrowden’scommunityeducationprograms hunchedoverhiscomputer,fingerspecking atthekeyswiththesameprecisionheusedat thepiano.Nooneknewwhathewasupto nothisparents,nothisteachers.Justhimand asecretmission.Hetyped:
“MynameisMiles.Iwould liketoapplytoyourschool.”
Thisdeterminedlittlepianistwasn'twaitingfor grown-upstoshapehismusicalfuture.Hewas takingchargehimself,craftinghisveryown admissionslettertoCrowdenSchoolwherehe hopedtobecomeastudent.
WhenAdmissionsDirectorKirstenShallenberg openedhisemail,sheabsolutelymelted Here wasastudentfromcommunityeducation whohadwrittenentirelyonhisown Justpure passionformusicdrivinghimforward
"Iloveplayingmusicbecauseit'svery calming,"heshares."IfI'mhavingabad
day,Iplaypianotocalmdown.AndIlovebeing abletoperform.It'salsoveryfunwhenyougetto playwithotherpeople."
Musicfirstenteredhislifethroughsinginginhis schoolchorus."Isangwiththemforabouttwo years,"hesays,"andthenIstartedtakingpiano lessonswithmymusicteacher,Daniela.Shewas averystrictHungarianpianoteacher.Sheand MarynaResnick(hiscurrentpianoteacherat Crowden)arekindofalike.Theybothteachwith the'youstartasong,youfinishasong'method. ThefirstclassicalpieceIplayedwasaminuet."
Musiclessonshavegivenhimmorethanjust nimblefingersonthepianokeys."They'vehelped mesitthroughlongthingslikemydad'slectures," hejokes."Butalso,I'velearnedtoseethe importanceinmusic,becauseitisalanguage."
Ashegetsreadytostarthisnextadventureat CrowdenSchool,heremarks:"Idon'tknowwhat toexpect,butI'mreadytodoanythingittakes. I'mveryexcitedtostart!"
Crowden’s2025summercampsendedonahigh notewithmusic,laughter,anddiscoveryallaround.
MusicMinds,ScienceFutures LastOctober,Crowden studentsweretreatedto somethingrareand unforgettable:avisitfrom Dr KeithDoelling,an accomplished neuroscientistand CrowdenSchoolalumnus classof2003
Keithjoinedtheyearweopenedourcurrent campus,originallyplayingpianobefore switchingtoviolin,thendoublebasswhenour onlybassplayergraduated
NowbasedinParis,heinvestigatesneural rhythmsandtheirimpactonperception, memory,andattention.
Inhistalk,Keithsharedinsightsfromhis research,weavingtogethermusicand neuroscience."Yourbrainisbasicallyagiant rhythmmachine,"heexplainedtothecaptivated students,drawingparallelsbetweenthe rhythmicstructurestheypracticeinchamber musicandthewayneuronscommunicate. "Whenyouplayinaquartet you 'reliterally
ThesessionconcludedwithanengagingQ&A, wherestudentsexploredtopicsrangingfrom music'sevolutionaryhistorytotheroleof predictioninperceptionandcutting-edge neuroimagingtechniques.
ThereisthisincredibleVenndiagram, sortofacrossoverwhereit'snot scienceormusic—theyactuallyusethe sameskills.Theyhavetolookat repetitionandpracticeandfailure.You dosomething,itdoesn'twork,youdoit again.Andyouhavetowork collaboratively.Inscience,Ihavethem workwithpartners.Thereareno soloistshere.It’sverymuchlikebeing inachamberensemble,becauseeach personhasadifferentrole,andyetthe sumisgreaterthantheparts.
KARENGINSBERG 7TH&8THGRADESCIENCETEACHER
ForKeith,returningtoCrowdenrepresenteda meaningfulfull-circlemoment Hehadonce satwhereourcurrentstudentsnowsit, wrestlingwiththesamechallengingrhythms, andnowhewashelpingtheworldunderstand theconnectionsbetweenmusicandthebrain
“WhatCrowdengaveme—especially throughchambermusic—wasthisintuitive sensethatyou’reneverdoinganything alone.You'realwayslistening,adjusting, supporting.That’sabsolutelystayedwithme inscience.Youcanbeworkingonyourown experiments,butnoneofitmakessense unlessitfitsintothelargerframeworkof whatothersaredoinganddiscovering.”
Keithexemplifiesaremarkabletrendamong Crowdenalumni:thenaturalprogressionfrom collaborativemusic-makingtocareersin science.Whilemusicremainsbyfarthemost commoncareerpathforourgraduates,the sciencesclaimthesecond-largestshare a testamenttohowchambermusiccultivates thecollaborativeandanalyticalthinkingthat scientificinquirydemands.
“Crowdenplayedaformativeroleinmyjourneybysparkinganearly fascinationwithhowcontemplativepracticescanchangethewaywethink andreacttotheworldaroundus.Thatcuriosityeventuallyledmetostudy neuroscienceandhealthpsychology,whereInowresearchhowmindful activities—likeplayingmusic,creatingart,ormeditating—cansupport mentalandphysicalhealing.I'mgratefultoCrowdenfornurturingbothmy creativityandmycuriosity,whichcontinuetoguidemyworktoday.”
ROBINBLADES(CLASSOF2010)
WhenIfirstheardaboutsolidtumorcancerdetectioninblood,Ithoughtit wassciencefiction.Today,Iamworkingtomakeaffordable,non-invasive ovariancancerscreeningandearlydetectionareality.MytimeatCrowden andOberlinwasaliberalartseducation,forwhichIamincrediblygrateful. Inresearch,plasticityofthinking,meldingofmanyideasandviewpoints, andcommonsensereasoningarepowerfultoolsthataredevelopedas muchinartsandhumanitiesclassesasinscienceclassorlab.”
Alice Eastman (Class of 2010) PhD candidate in the Department of
NextSteps: HighSchool&UniversityAcceptances CLASSOF2025 RowanCrumBroxterman:MaybeckHighSchool
DamirGodden:BeniciaHighSchool
LiliaKlucsor:TheBentleySchool
HenryRomano:TheAthenianSchool
CLASSOF2021 DustinBreshears:TheJuilliardSchool
CamelliaChoo:Undeclared
JesseDistiller:EastmanSchoolofMusic
SophiaDuran:TulaneUniversity
GretaGraham:ScrippsCollege
SinaKalkan:UCLA
AllisonRose:AlbanyHighSchool
SophieRose:AlbanyHighSchool
CamilaValle:AlbanyHighSchool
Chang-MinKung:TheUniversityofChicago
DorothyNemeth:UniversityofMichigan
TrajanNim:DukeUniversity
SamuelSeetapun:RoyalCollegeofMusic (London)
KenjiSor:UniversityofColoradoBoulder
Welovehearingwhatouramazingalumniareupto!Helpusreconnectyouwith classmates, teachers, and fellow Crowden grads—just scan the QR code and shareyourstory.
WhystartaKindergarten? Imaginea5-year-olddiscoveringthemagicof rhythmwhilelearningtoread Picturetiny handsfindingtheirfirstnotesonviolinstringsas theylearn1+1 Thisisthevisiondriving Crowden'sboldexpansionintokindergarten
Forfourdecades,Crowdenhasproven somethingrevolutionary:whenchildrenare immersedinmusicfromanearlyage,theydon't justbecomebettermusicians theybecome betterlearners,thinkers,andcommunity members Ourgraduatesconsistently outperformtheirpeers,notbecausemusicisa "niceaddition"totheireducation,butbecause musicistheireducation
We'renotsimplyscalingdown ourmiddleschoolmodel. Instead,we'recreating somethingentirelynew— akindergartenexperiencethat recognizesfive-year-oldsas capable,curiousindividuals wholearnbestthroughplay, exploration,andyes,lotsof music.
Bystartingatkindergarten,we'renotjust teachingchildrenmusic;we'reliterally shapinghowtheirbrainsdevelop Neurosciencetellsusthattheneural pathwaysformusic,language,and mathematicalthinkingareformedinthese earliestyears
Yes,thismovestrengthensourfinancial foundation,allowingustoeliminateourdeficit whileinvestinginourfuture Ourenrollment numbersaresmall,addingmoregrades allowsustoincreasethat Butmore importantly,itperfectlyalignswithAnne Crowden’soriginalvisionofmaking transformativemusiceducationaccessibleto morechildren we’resimplystartingearlier thaneverbefore
CheaunieSparks
HowdidCrowdenprepare? Whenourboardmadethehistoricdecisionto expandCrowdenSchooltostartatkindergarten, weknewwehadonechancetogetitright Wherewouldtheclassroombe?Howlongisthe schoolday?Mostimportantly,whatshoulda Crowdenkindergarten(andfirstandsecond grade)looklike?Themonthsthatfollowedwere amasterclassinstrategicplanning. We assembledacommitteeofeducationaladvisors, visitingexemplaryschoolsandinterviewing veteranelementaryeducatorsand administrators.
Ourcampusisbeingreimaginedwithspaces designedspecificallyforouryoungestlearners, completewithage-appropriateinstruments andlearningenvironments.
Mostimportantly,wefoundCheaunieSparks,an exceptionaleducatorwhosepassionforboth musicandearlychildhooddevelopment embodieseverythingwehopedforinour inauguralkindergartenteacher.
“Ilovethewonderand curiosityearlylearnersbring intotheclassroom.It’sa privilegetohelpguidetheir growthacademically, socially,andemotionally duringsuchanimportant stageintheirdevelopment. Everydaywithyoung childrenisfullofpossibility.”
CHEAUNIESPARKS KINDERGARTENACADEMICTEACHER
WhatwillKindergarten atCrowdenlooklike? KindergartenatCrowdenismadejustforfiveyear-olds.We’renotshrinkingdownmiddle school we’rebuildingsomethingnew.Wesee youngchildrenascapableandcurious,and weknowtheylearnbestthroughplay, exploration,andlotsofmusic.
Musicandmovementarepartofhowthey learnalldaylongaslearningandplaygo handinhand.Childrenexplorereading, writing,andmathinwaysthatfeelexciting andmeaningful,supportedbymusic,art, science,andplentyoftimetomovetheir bodiesandfollowtheirinterests.
Ourdaybeginswithfree-choiceplayand hands-onactivitiestohelpeaseintothe morning Aftergatheringtogetherwithsongs andgreetings,childrenenjoyablendof structuredlessonsandplayfullearning,with timeforsnacksandoutdoorrecesstorefresh andrecharge Musiciswovenintotheday, withaprimarymusicclassinthemorningand achoralclassorspecialsubjectinthe afternoon—likescience,art,ormindfulness Stories,movementbreaks,andsocialemotionallearninghelpchildrenstay connectedandcalm
BythetimewegatherforClosingCircle,our studentshavespentthedaythinking,moving, creating,andconnecting.Everydayin Crowden’sKindergartenisfilledwithjoy, imagination,music,anddiscovery.
Howwillchambermusicfitin? Ourkindergartenmusicprogramcapitalizeson thiscrucialdevelopmentalwindowwitha carefullydesignedprogressionthatbuilds musicalskillssystematically.Studentsbegin withthreeexploratorytrimesters,rotating throughvariousstringinstrumentstodiscover theirpreferences.Thisexplorationis complementedbytwice-weeklymusicand movementclassesthatestablishthe fundamentalsofsinging,rhythm,harmony, andphysicalexpression.
TheprogramwillbeledbyRebeccaReedLunn,whobringsyearsofexperiencedirecting ourSuzukiStringsprogramforchildrenas youngasthree.Herexpertiseinearly childhoodmusicaldevelopmentensuresour youngeststudentsreceiveinstructionthatis bothdevelopmentallyappropriateand musicallyrigorous.
Asstudentsadvancetofirstandsecond grade,theyselecttheirprimaryinstrument fordailyinstructionwhilecontinuingto developtheirfoundationalmusicskills.This individualizedapproachensureseachchild buildstechnicalproficiencyontheirchosen instrumentandcreatesaseamless pathwaytoanelementaryschoolmusic programbythefirstgradewherestudents joinensembles,startmusicianship,and studymusichistory.
K–2ExpansionCampaigninDevelopment Crowdenwillbelaunchingacapitalcampaign tosupporttheexpansionofourK–2program.
Thecampaignwillfocusonsecuringsignificant resourcestoaccommodatetheincreased numberofofferedgrades,expandfacilities,and implementcomprehensiveprogram improvements.Wearecurrentlyinthestrategic planningphase,seekingkeypartnersand preparingforoutreachtomajorphilanthropic leadersandfoundationswhoshareourvisionfor educationalexcellence.
ThisinitiativewillpositionourK–2programas amodelforearlychildhoodeducation, ensuringwecanservemorefamilieswhile maintainingthehigheststandardsofmusic educationandacademics
Thisisoneofthemost effectiveagesformusical instruction.Kindergarteners haveremarkablydeveloped motorcontrolandtheiropenmindednessandlackofselfconsciousnessallowsthemto takeinnewinformationatan impressiverate.It'sonly fittingthatCrowdenhasnow expandedtoinclude Kindergarten.
REBECCAREED-LUNN KINDERGARTENMUSIC&SUZUKI TEACHER MarieSzuts,Classof1993 AsaCrowdenalumna,I'mdeeply awareoftheuniquevalueofthe CrowdenSchoolexperience Playing chambermusicisoneofthemost connectedanddynamicexperiences ofteamworkthatIcanimagine everyone listeningcarefully,comingoutofthetextureorreceding asappropriate,breathingtogether,improvisinginthe moment.Thereisalsosuchagenerosityintheactof playingtogetherandofperforming,asweofferourbest selvestooneanother,andtoanaudience Iamdelighted tojointheBoardnowinthisspiritofteamwork,andto helpensurethisnextchapteroftheSchoolissustainable, lively,andimpactful
Thankingandbiddingfarewellto... DeborahO’Grady, 15yearsnon-consecutive
Ibelieveservicetothecommunityisa vitalpartofcitizenshipandnothinghas madememoreproudthantoseethe benefitsofCrowden’sachievements I’ve servedtwotenures,onethathelpedto cementCrowden’sfuturebypurchasingtheRoseStreet campusandmorerecently,helpingmovefromourtime ofcrisistowardastableandgrowingCrowden Gettingto knowCrowden’samazingfaculty,staff,boardandbroad communityofmusiclearnersandlovers,andhelpingto growthatcommunity,hasbeenatruehonor.Bothofmy grownchildren,EmilyandSamAdams,areCrowden gradswithfondmemoriesoftheirtimethere.Andnow thenextgenerationofCrowdenkids,mygrandkids,have startedinCommunityPrograms Whatfun!Maythe forwardgrowthcontinueintothecomingdecades
AnneCademenos
AsaparticipantintheAdult ChamberMusicprogramoverthe pastseveralyearsI’vegaineda deepadmirationforCrowden’s community-wideimpact,wonderful staff,anduniqueeducationalmission. Followingalongcareerinnon-profitdevelopmentand experienceonotherboards(includingBostonYouth SymphonyOrchestra)I’mglad tooffermytimeandexpertisetotheCrowdenboard ofdirectors
DorisChen,5years MyjourneywithCrowdenstartedasan 11yearoldtakingprivatecellolessons fromMillyRosner,thengettingroped intosummermusicprogramsand severalconsecutiveCelloBashes,alltaking placeinthedark,dankchurchbasementonLeConte Fast forwardtothecurrentlocationonRose newerfacility, buildingsdetailedwithgorgeousarchitecturelettingin plentyoflight,acousticsechoinghauntingmusicthrough thehallways,andaworldclassauditoriumtoshowcase thetalentedstudentswholooktooyoungtobeableto
performatthehighleveltheydo Crowdenhas comealongway,havinggraduatedcountless talentedmusiciansandalumswhopayitforward everydaywiththeirgiftsfromthisuniquemusical upbringingandcommunity.Thereisnoschoolquite likeCrowden,andI'mgratefultohavegivenbackas aboardmember.
DonnaMcCabe,7years MydaughterEmmaandIspentfour andahalfyearsfallinginlovewith whatCrowdenrepresentedtous.It wasaplacewhereEmmawasvalued, whereshewasabletotakerisks,where shelearnedtheimportanceofdiscipline. She,andI,sawwhatdailycommitmenttolearning coulddoforaperson Shewascalledtoward excellenceineveryaspectofherbeing ByEighthGrade Emmawasnowplayingmusicatthelevelwe’dheard atthatfirstconcert SheknewmorevocabularythanI knewatherage,andshehaddiscoveredhowto manageherlife.Shebecameorganized,hard-working, andagoodfriend.SheadoredherCrowdenteachers, andsheletmeadorethemtoo.Iwasaroomparent first,thenaboardmemberforthepast7years. Crowdenhasbeenthroughalotinthese7years,but therehasn’tbeenasinglemomentwhenIregretted mydecisiontosendEmmathere,norhaveIever thoughtaboutsteppingawayfromtheBoardbeforeI hadcompletedmyterm Ihavelearnedalotfrommy timealongsideCrowden,andIknowthatI’llcontinueto growalongsideyou.Thankyouforhelpingmeraisea considerate,dedicated,andthoughtfulchild.
Crowdenbelievesthataloveofmusicshouldneverbelimitedbyfinancialcircumstances.Toensure accessforall,weoffertwoformsoffinancialsupport:tuitionassistanceandendowedscholarships.
TuitionAssistance: MeetingImmediateNeeds Ourtuitionassistanceprogramispartofour operatingbudgetandismadepossibleby generouscontributionstoTheCrowdenFund. Eachyear,weassessfamilies’financialneeds andallocateavailableresourcestohelpmake bothCrowdenSchoolandcommunityeducation accessibleacrosstheeconomicspectrum.This flexible,needs-basedapproachallowsusto upholdourcommitmenttomusicalexcellence whileservingourdiversecommunity
Yet,thesadrealityisthatdemandfortuition assistancecontinuestooutpaceavailable funding.Eachyear,wefacedifficultdecisions astheneedsexceedwhatwecancurrently provide.Meetingthisdemandincreasingly strainsouroperatingbudget—underscoring justhowvitaldonorsupportistothiseffort.
EndowedScholarships: CreatingLastingOpportunities Whiletuitionassistancemeetsimmediate needs,endowedscholarshipsoffersustained supportthroughoutastudent'sacademic journey.Thesescholarshipsareestablished throughgenerouscontributionsfrom committeddonors,whoseinitialinvestments arecarefullymanagedtogenerateongoing fundingthatsupportsstudentsyearafter year Becausetheprincipalstaysintact, endowmentscansupportstudents indefinitely However,toexpandopportunities andkeeppacewithrisingcosts,schoolsmust continueattractingnewcontributionstogrow thesefunds
Currently,Crowdenhasonlythreesmall (butgrowing)endowedscholarships—all focusedonsupportingyoungcellists.
Thisscholarshipsupportsoutstandingyoungcellistsuptoage18,coveringtuitionandinstrument expenses.Recipientsareidentifiedbyfacultyfortheirexcellence,discipline,anddedicationtomusic andmaybeenrolledineitherCrowdenSchooland/orourcommunityeducationprograms.
Reflectingourlong-standingdedicationtocelloeducation,thisscholarshipoffersmeaningful supporttopromisingyoungcellistsenrolledingradesK-8atCrowdenwhodemonstrate exceptionalpotentialandastrongcommitmenttotheirmusicalgrowth
Thisscholarshipopensdoorsforchildrenwithcelloexperienceinourcommunityeducation programstojoingradesK-8.Studentsarenominatedbytheirprivatelessonteachersiftheyare well-suitedtothriveinCrowden’sdistinctivemusicalenvironment.
TuningToGrowth 2025SpringBenefitRecap Fund-a-need&event donation:$88,842 Tablesponsors&ticketssold: $34,812 Silentauctionproceeds (allitemsdonated):$18,924
Raffletickets(soldbyour students):$3,659
oucouldn’tjoinusforCrowdenSpringBenefit year,youtrulymissedanunforgettable ning!CielCreativeSpacecamealivewith aordinarymusic,vibrantenergy,and werfulgenerosity.OneofthemostjawppingmomentsofthenightwaswhenMads ng(two-timeGrammywinner)joinedour and8thgradeCrowdenstudentsonstage athrillingsamba-inspiredperformanceof StarWarsthemewitheachstudenttakinga natimprovising!
Thesilentauctionwasfulloffriendlycompetition whiletheFund-a-Needappealopenedhearts (andcheckbooks) Theevening’skeynote speaker–Dr RobertGreenberg(renowned composer,pianist,musichistorian,author,and lecturer)hadeveryonelaughingwhile remindingusall throughhumor,history,and wisdom whyCrowdencontinuestomatter
Thankstothegenerosityofourcommunity,we metourfundraisinggoalprovingonceagain thattheCrowdencommunityshowsupwhenit counts.
TheFinancialPicture Current Weather Throughthoughtfulmanagement,our expensesfor2024–25cameinunderbudget, resultinginasmaller-than-anticipateddeficit.
NextYear’s Forecast Whilewe’vemadeprogress,currentenrollment indicatesthatwemayfallshortofourrevenue goalsfor2025–26.
Volunteers BoardofTrustees
AnnEastman,Chair
MichelleKlucsor,Co-ViceChair
DeborahSpauldingGraham, Co-ViceChair
ZoeGlynn,Secretary
MikeAshton,Treasurer
AngelaArchie
DeborahO'Grady
DorisChen
DonnaEyestone
MarjanMashhadi
JunaKimMcDaid
SandyWalsh-Wilson
WhitneyWu-Chu
Third/FourthGrade:Nazlee Ranasinghe&GiladWolff
FifthGrade:ShannonGerardin& PoonehNajafi
SixthGrade:SonyaSanchez& GabrielleMoyer
SeventhGrade:LindsayNewman
EighthGrade:NaomiMarks
A/VTeam ShannonGerardin(videography andeditor)
DanHaddickandJoanna
Budnicka
MarikaBenko
AnselKlucsor
SinaKalkan
MiaStoliarchouk ToniFerencz
Andallouramazing
CrowdenSchoolparent volunteers!
OurWonderfulSupporters FoundationalGiving
AssociatedChamberMusicPlayers Foundation
CaliforniaCelloClub
ChristianHumannFoundation
PacificHarmonyFoundation
ShelbyandFrederickGansFoundation
TheCoblensFoundation
MatchedCompanyGiving
DisneyVolunteersGrantsProgram
DisneyWorldwide
GenentechInc.
GoogleMatchingGiftsProgram
KaiserPermanente
Microsoft
PayPalGivingFund
Roblox
UnitedWayBayArea
WellsFargo
GovernmentGrants
BerkeleyCivicArtsGrant
FacultyandStaff
DanMeyersandAndreaCartwright
DianeStairandSafirAhmed
DonnaWilliams
ElizabethVandervennetandTim Carless
HandeErdem
HeidiMattson
KarenGinsberg
KatherineHeaterandTheoSinger
LarryLondon
LeahDemathieu
NazleeandShamalRanasinghe
RachelDurling
StephannieTornowandKylePeterson
TylerDeVigalandNaoKubota
TylerPowles
CrowdenSchoolFamilies
AldoValleandDoraRios
AlisonandAllenRomano
BrianCoffeyandCorinneBenedek
CarlaPicchiandKurtPatzner
DanielHaddickandJoannaBudnicka
DominicandZoeGlynn
DonnaWaiLingLeeandOracioFlores
DylanJeffressandKristyMooreJeffress
GabrielleMoyerandJohnFoster
JieFangandXiYang
JoachimKainzandLindsayNewman
JodyMastroianni-AllenandKristiAllen
KemmeoParr
KirstenandGiladWolff
KrsteAsanovicandAyakoNagano LuluDavila
MarcosSaenzandKirstenShallenberg Marie-ThereseEllis
NaomiMarksandMichelleKlucsor RusselPage
Alumni AnjanineBonet(Classof1997)
CaryKoh(Classof1987)
EvieKohThibeault(Classof1995)and RussThibeault
HeleneToralba(Classof1995)
MarikoWyrick(Classof2006)
NoahBendix-Balgley(Classof1997)
OwenDalby(Classof1998)andMeena Bhasin-Dalby
SamAdams(Classof2000)andHelen Kim
SerenaWitherspoon(Classof2010)
TylerDeVigal(Classof2008)andNao Kubota
WhitneyWu-Chu(Classof2002)and RyanBerns
MajorDonors($10,000andabove)
Anonymous
AngelaM.Archie
BonnieHampton
BruceBurnam
DeborahO'GradyandJohnAdams
EdnaLeeWarneckeandJamesMarks
EdwardArensandSallieArens
HelenMeyerandJohnMeyer
JoanBladesandWesleyBoyd
LindaRosenandStephenRosen
MonicaandStephenSpaulding(in memoriam)
SustainingDonors($1,000–$9,999)
AlexanderandRitaWalsh-Wilson
AmelieDeFontenayandJohnStenzel
AndrewGrahamandDeborah SpauldingGraham
AnnandJackEastman
ArezooFakouriandDougYokoyama
BlaineDevine
BrianJamesandShariqYosufzai
BruceMcCubbreyandJuneWiley
ClaireLiuandRobCromwell
DouglasMacLaughlin
ElizabethSorandFrankSor(in memoriam)
EmersonandSaraDuBois
FranKrieger-Lowitz
GustavoHoughtonandSaraWilson
IdaBraun(inmemoriam)
JamesBloom
JaneHammond
JoanBalter
JohnDanielson
JonathanPinesandReutPines
LizaandMichaelDalby
LizVarnhagen
LoisDeDomenico
MarjanMashhadiandMatthewSpecter MarthaJones
MikeAshton
NoahKahnandVictoriaLeonard
PhoebeKwanandRalphLeighton RobinsonBrownandSarahSatterlee
S.YoungLeeandYasamanLee
SukeyLilienthalandDavidRoe
ShirleyCovington
VictorRauchandIngridMadsen WilliamPerry
Donors($1–$999)
AmyHiragaandPeterWyrick
AnneCademenos
AnthonyMartinandRosaMartin
BetsyandIvanDitmars
BillSaphirandMelissaSaphir
BillTaylor
BolineStrandandJohnRamirez BurnsMacdonald
CaraandTimHoxie
CarlBoe
CarloMorgantiniandCristiana GuiducciCarolRobertson
CarolStair
CathyYeh
ChristopherBrann
CraigStairandKathyStair
CrystalandLindsayChan
DarrylCarbonaroandJonathan Moscone
DavidBellmanandIngridBellman
DavidGoldstein
DeborahEnelow
DorothyLee
EugeneChelberg
FranHillandLarryFrost
FredKonkelandKathyKaspar
GaryFoltz
GeoffreyBiddleandJaneGottesman
GillianEorwyn
GregoryLutz
GunillaHaegerstrom-Portnoyand
RobertPortnoy
HeleneToralba
HenryFieldandLesslyWikleField
HollyHartleyandOscarAnderson
JackieRosensonandAndrewGerson
JamesJonesandNaomiCytron
JamesParrishSmith
JanetGarvinandBobShumaker
JanetWeinstein
JasmineTangandWeiKoh
JoanCartwright
JudithBloom
JulietWelch
JunaMcDaid
KarenFiske
KarenJarrett
KathleenHenschelandJohnDewes
KathrynandWilliamDumas
KentYoung
KreheandKatherineRitter
LauraReynolds
LaurenLempert
LindaWalls
LinneaChristiani
LisaTaylor
LynneTan
MarianAthertonandJohnReager
MarkSchwartz
MaryannD'OnofrioandMoriAchen
MaryLynnMillerandRaymond
Meister
MarySarahKlise
MarySavoieStevens
MelbaDangerfield
MelissaArchie
NadiaLiu
NancyBissell
NatashaBeeryandWilliamMcCoy
PeterEwell
PeterJaffeandJaneJaffe
RandyFisher
RebeccaYoungandWhitmanPoling
RissaCoplan
RobertClearandBarbaraJudd
SandraJenningsandShinjiEshima
ShannonEdelstone
SharonaBarzilay
ShantiMoorjani
SharonJacobs
SharonSeim
ShmuelKatzandSophiaKessinger
SuzanneRossi
SpencerTyrus
StanleyandWendyReynolds
TimothyEvans
TimothySmith
TomandIrisStone
ToshiTakeuchiandYonchuJenkins
TraudelPrussin
VirginiaRoe
VitaYee
WayneHeiserandAnthoniaRoller
In-KindDonors AbbottFoote
AlexanderandRitaWalsh-Wilson
AmericanConservatoryTheater
AnnandJackEastman
Babette
BayAreaBrainSpa
BenchmarkPizzeria
BerkeleyRepertoryTheatre
BerkeleySymphony
Birba
BlueWatersKayaking
BrocCellars
CalAthletics
CaraandTimHoxie
Cheeseboard
DasheCellars
DianeStairandSafirAhmed
DominicandZoeGlynn
Donkey&GoatWinery
EmersonandSaraDuBois
Envelop
FiveLittleMonkeys
GaiaYogaStudio
GiannaAbondolo
Hipline
KirstenandGiladWolff
LeslieandJayIfshin
MarieVeronique
Marie-ThereseEllis
MarketHall
MollyHonegger
NoeMusic
OaklandSymphony
OaklandTheaterProject
PerspireSaunaStudio
Pixar
RebootFloat&CryoSpa
RichardFestinger
RiversofQiAcupuncture
Roblox
SukeyLilienthalandDavidRoe
HonoraryandMemorialGifts
InHonorofAlexD'Ambrosio KentYoung
InHonorofBonnieHampton
BurnsMacdonald
DavidandIngridBellman
FranHill
GaryFoltz
HollyHartley
LarryLondon
LaurenLempert
MartyWestby
RebeccaYoung
SharonJacobs
SukeyLilienthalandDavidRoe
WilliamHorwich
InHonorofBrigetteMancini WilliamHorwich
InHonorofClassof2024-2025 KarenGinsberg
InHonorofDorisChen
ShannonEdelstone
InHonorofGailCovington
ShirleyCovington
InHonorofJoanBalter FranKrieger-Lowitz
InHonorofRachelDurling AnthonyandRosaMartin
InHonorofRobertGreenberg
BillTaylor
InHonorofSandyWalsh-Wilson OwenDalbyandMeenaBhasin-Dalby TomandIrisStone
InHonorofSukeyLilienthal Anonymous
InMemoryofAnneCrowden
StephenandLindaRosen
WendyandStanleyReynolds
InMemoryofEllaFerencz RachelDurling
InMemoryofElizabethBirnbaum TheDurfeeFoundation
InMemoryofFioreMarcheschi AgnesMarcheschi
InMemoryofMariaDanielson HeidiMattson
JanetGarvinandBobShumaker
SukeyLilienthalandDavidRoe
InHonorofDeborahO’Grady ShelbyandFrederickGansFoundation
