DEAR FRIENDS,
Ten years ago, families in Washington Heights and Inwood asked me a question that changed my life: What if our children could have access to world-class music education every single day?
Not as an afterthought. Not if they passed an audition. Every child. Every day.
That question became WHIN. And this year, I’m writing to you from our new home on 162nd Street, watching 466 students walk through doors that didn’t exist when we started.
I wish you could stand in our hallways during morning rehearsal. You’d hear first graders warming up their voices in the choir room. You’d see eighth graders carefully tuning their instruments before ensemble practice. You’d watch students who’ve been with us since kindergarten leading sectionals with the kind of focus and purpose that comes from daily practice.
This is what happens when music isn’t enrichment—it’s the engine.
When we started WHIN, we made a choice that defined everything that followed: we would build a school with no auditions, no screening, no selection. We would prove that when you give all children access to rigorous music education, excellence becomes the norm.
Ten years later, our students are proving us right every single day. Students with disabilities are exceeding district proficiency by more than six percentage points in ELA. English Language Learners are outperforming their peers.
Economically disadvantaged students are defying every expectation placed on them.
But here’s what moves me most: it’s not just the numbers. It’s watching a student who struggled to sit still in September perform at Carnegie Hall in
PHOTO: MICHAEL LEVY PHOTOGRAPHY
May. It’s seeing families attend a concert at Alice Tully Hall for the first time and realize that these stages belong to their children too. It’s hearing a parent say, “WHIN didn’t just help my daughter—it helped my whole family find stability.”
This year, through our partnership with The Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program (MAP), our students received 1,380 private lessons from world-class teaching artists. Five seventh graders earned tuition-free scholarships to Phillips Academy’s Musical Minds program. More than 90 families attended MAP performances at Carnegie Hall, many for the very first time.
These opportunities don’t happen by accident. They happen because you believe in what’s possible when we refuse to accept that talent is something children either have or don’t have. Talent is something we build—through daily practice, high expectations, and a community that shows up.
Your support has carried us from 74 students in borrowed space to 466 students in a permanent home. You’ve helped us transform a 1914 parking garage into an eight-story beacon of possibility. You’ve made it possible for us to offer after-
school programs at no cost to families, providing 48 hours of monthly enrichment that changes the trajectory of children’s lives.
As we step into our second decade, I’m asking you to stay with us. To keep believing that every child deserves access to excellence. To keep investing in a model that’s proven, durable, and built to last.
WHIN is not your average school. We are a way of being. We are active community members. We are music makers. We are WHINners. And we are just getting started.
I invite you to be part of our next chapter— where every student can step boldly onto any stage they choose, whether it’s a concert hall, a laboratory, a classroom, or a place we haven’t even imagined yet. It's your belief that makes all the difference.
With deep gratitude,
Charlie Ortiz Founder & Executive Director WHIN Music Community Charter School
WHIN MUSIC COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Charlie
Ortiz
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Paul
Goldberg
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Amy Salazar Molina PRINCIPAL
Laura Nieves ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL GRADES K-2
Margarette Hernandez ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL GRADES 3-5
Michael Drexler DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Farrah Timberg CHIEF OF STAFF
Ashley Grant ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL GRADES 6-8
PHOTO:
MUSIC AS LEARNING
What began a decade ago as a bold idea has become something rare in public education: a school that proves what’s possible when music is the engine.
WHIN is New York City’s first public charter school founded on the principles of El Sistema, Venezuela’s 50-year-old immersive music education program that views music as a fundamental human right.
At WHIN, music is not an add-on or an afterthought. It’s how students learn who they are and what they’re capable of.
Every day, students make music together. They learn how to focus, to persevere, to listen, and to lead. These habits don’t just stay in the rehearsal room. They show up in classrooms, on the playground, at home, and on the stage. Through rigorous daily orchestral and choral
practice, music becomes a catalyst for academic excellence, social mobility, and long-term opportunity. As students gain a sense of purpose and meaning through music, they build the leadership, collaboration, and daily discipline that instills a lasting work ethic.
Music at WHIN is a public good. We center joy and inspire action that helps build communities. We advance equity by removing barriers to excellence. In this way, music at WHIN drives lasting, systemic change.
Today, WHIN is entering its second decade—not as an experiment, but as a proven institution with staying power, purpose, and a clear path forward.
$0 2016 466
BUILT TO BELONG
Public access. No auditions. No academic screening.
At WHIN,
opportunity comes first.
WHIN is a free, public, lottery-based K-8 charter school serving a predominantly low-income, racially and culturally diverse community, including many students with disabilities and English Language Learners—students historically excluded from sustained arts education.
We made a choice that defines everything that follows: when access is universal and high expectations are the standard, excellence becomes the norm. We have built WHIN to deliver on that promise—shaping how we teach, how we set standards, and how students take responsibility for the work.
Serving a community rich with talent but historically overlooked, WHIN has proven that through its lottery-based enrollment system, high-quality music education is no longer a privilege. It can be the foundation of any child’s whole education.
This is not about selection. It’s about commitment. When we give all children access to rigorous music education and hold them to the highest standards, they rise. Every single time.
A DECADE OF GROWTH STUDENTS WE SERVE
YEAR 1 (2017-2018): 74 STUDENTS
YEAR 2: 145 STUDENTS
YEAR 3: 185 STUDENTS
YEAR 4: 216 STUDENTS
YEAR 5: 258 STUDENTS
YEAR 6: 321 STUDENTS
YEAR 7: 405 STUDENTS
YEAR 8: 441 STUDENTS
YEAR 9 (2025-2026): 466 STUDENTS
OUR COMMUNITY
79% HISPANIC OR LATINO
12% BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN
4% WHITE
1% ASIAN
1% AMERICAN INDIAN OR ALASKA NATIVE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED 24% 21%
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 88%
Entering its second decade, WHIN offers donors the rare opportunity to invest in a model that is already proven—and ready to sustain impact for generations.
ENCORE MOMENTS
Students learn that mastery isn't about natural talent— it's about showing up, doing the work, and refusing to quit. That lesson shows up in sports, in math class, in writing workshops, in science labs, and in life.
At WHIN, discipline grows out of joyful, demanding practice. And those habits carry everywhere. In choir and orchestra, students learn to express themselves while constantly refining their work—listening, adjusting, and flowing with their peers. They learn what it means to be part of an ensemble: blending their voice, owning their responsibilities, and contributing to something larger than themselves.
Through this daily work, students build focus,
persistence, and accountability. They learn how to prepare, how to recover from mistakes, and how to keep refining until the work is right. Creativity is sharpened through effort. Confidence is earned through success. These habits carry into the classroom—not because they were selected for academic achievement, but because they’ve practiced the discipline that makes achievement possible.
This is preparation for life, not just performance.
Discipline practiced daily becomes confidence carried everywhere.
WHIN STUDENTS OUTPERFORM DISTRICT PEERS (FY25 STATE ASSESSMENT)
+6.3 pts
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES GRADES 3 TO 8 OUTPERFORM DISTRICT PEERS IN ELA
+4.5 pts
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS GRADES 3 TO 8 OUTPERFORM DISTRICT PEERS IN ELA
+3.7 pts
ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS GRADES 3 TO 8 OUTPERFORM DISTRICT PEERS IN ELA
+11.7 pts
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OUTPERFORM DISTRICT PEERS IN 7TH GRADE MATH
THE SCATTERED YELLOW WINDOWS WERE DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE NOTES PLACED ON A MUSICAL STAFF
PHOTO: PAUL VU/HERE AND NOW AGENCY
BUILDING STABILITY
Mirroring the transformation happening within.
In 2024, WHIN moved into its permanent home— an eight-story transformation that reflects the work taking place inside. Located on 162nd Street, the building stands as a lasting anchor for Washington Heights and Inwood. What was once a 1914 parking garage is now a state-of-theart learning environment, designed to support teaching, rehearsal, performance, and growth for years to come.
This isn’t about square footage or modern facilities. It’s about permanence. It’s about showing students and families that WHIN is here to stay—that when they walk through these doors, they are entering something secure, intentional, and built with the long view in mind.
WHIN’s growth from 74 students to 466 required space to match its ambition. Now it has it. As the school enters its second decade, this building becomes the foundation for what comes next: deeper academic programs, expanded partnerships, and clearer pathways forward for students and families.
As a free, public charter school, WHIN’s core operations are anchored by stable public funding. Philanthropy does not keep the lights on—it strengthens quality, expands opportunity, and accelerates long-term impact.
Together, this structure provides a sound foundation for continuity, growth, and excellence over time.
WHIN’s public charter status provides stable
government
funding for core operations.
Philanthropic
support elevates what we do—fueling Juilliard
partnerships,
enrichment, professional development, and the innovations that distinguish WHIN. That’s how we deliver excellence and long-term stability.
STAGE PRESENCE
STATE OF THE ART, ADA ACCESSIBLE
THEATER FEATURES FULL VIDEO AND AUDIO SET UP, OVERHEAD PROJECTOR, AND PULL OUT RISERS.
THEATER SEATING CAPACITY: 335 SEATS
A COMMUNITY CENTRIC SPACE USED FOR STUDENT CONCERTS, MUSICAL THEATER PERFORMANCES, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS
DIVIDING THESE TWO SPACES ARE TWO LAYERS OF GLASS, MAKING BOTH SIDES SOUNDPROOF. THE GLASS PARTITION MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SEE MUSIC MAKING ON A DAILY BASIS.
THE WOOD SEEN ON THE CANOPY TRAVELS THROUGH THE MAIN LOBBY AND INTO THE THEATER, SERVING AS A PHYSICAL MATERIALIZATION OF HOW MUSIC IS THE HEART OF THE SOUL OF WHO WE ARE.
A mission-built school where music is seen the moment you enter.
WHIN’s building was designed around the student experience and the work happening inside it. From the moment families walk in, the theater and stage are in view, keeping music at the center of daily life. Right away. Clean lines, light, and durable materials create a modern, highperforming environment built to support learning, rehearsals, and performances for years to come.
NUMBER OF FLOORS: 8
NUMBER OF CLASSROOMS: 26
GYM SIZE (SQ FT): 2797
CAFETERIA WITH SKYLIGHT
SOUNDPROOF MUSIC ROOMS
STUDENT CUBBIES AND INSTRUMENT CUBBIES
STUDENT AND STAFF TERRACES
TOGETHER
Our partnerships create direct pathways for students to step into new futures.
Our partnership with The Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program (MAP) has fundamentally changed what families believe is possible. Through bi-weekly private lessons, performance opportunities, and mentorship from world-class Juilliard faculty, students experience themselves as artists with a place on the world’s great stages.
This year, more than 90 WHIN families attended a MAP experience at Carnegie Hall, many for the first time seeing for themselves that
these prestigious stages are for their children too. These moments matter. They reshape a family’s sense of what’s possible. They show students that spaces like Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall aren’t distant dreams—they’re destinations. The impact extends beyond performance. Five WHIN seventh graders earned tuition-free scholarships to Phillips Academy at Andover’s Musical Minds program this year. These pathways didn’t exist for our families a decade ago. Today, they are established and accessible.
PERFORMANCES FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING PERFORMANCES AT WORLD-RENOWNED VENUES SUCH AS LINCOLN CENTER.
PHOTO: CLAUDIO PAPAPIETRO
PRIVATE LESSONS DELIVERED THROUGH WHIN’S 50/50 PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JUILLIARD MUSIC ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM (MAP)
Developed through shared expectations and steady collaboration, these partnerships are grounded in trust and continuity, strengthened over the years.
Introduced by a WHIN parent, Juilliard and WHIN connect on a shared belief: every child deserves world-class music education.
Percussion Buddies launches and 10 WHIN students pair with Juilliard majors for bi-weekly mentorship virtually for a fall ending recital.
Juilliard/WHIN conceives the Private Lesson Program to boost artistic growth, strengthen academics, and bridge students into the MAP program.
Program expands to grade 2 (216 students), adds MAP events and Alice Tully/Carnegie tickets plus masterclasses and a WHIN showcase.
2019 2021 2023 2026 2020 2021 2025
WHIN students shadow MAP students on Saturdays and join monthly mentoring opportunities at Juilliard; attending rehearsals, masterclasses and showcases.
Juilliard/WHIN conceives the Private Lesson Program to boost artistic growth, strengthen academics and bridge students to MAP.
Year 1 of a 3-year pilot launches so that 3-5th graders receive bi-weekly private lessons for free from Juilliard MAP teachers four days a week.
BEYOND SUPPORT
WHIN’s in-house after-school program extends learning beyond the school day with the same excellence, structure, and joy that defines our core model.
Finding Balance: The Martinez Family
When Maria entered fourth grade, her mother Carmen was juggling two jobs.
Carmen’s hospital shift began at 4:00 p.m., leaving a long stretch after school before Maria’s grandmother could arrive. With no real place to go and little academic support during those hours, Maria began to fall behind.
WHIN’s after-school program changed that. Maria gained a consistent, supervised environment along with small-group tutoring in math and literacy. Within one semester, her reading level rose—and so did her confidence.
I used to worry constantly. Now I know Maria is safe, fed,
and learning while I work. WHIN didn’t just help my daughter; they helped my whole family find stability.
–Mrs. Martinez
Ms.
Rodriguez
believed in Luis even when we weren’t sure he had a shot. She helped us see that schools like LaGuardia could be possible for our son.
–
Opening Doors: Luis' High School Application
Eighth grader Luis had his sights set on LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts but the application process was daunting. Auditions, essays, and unfamiliar paperwork made the path forward feel out of reach for his family.
With WHIN’s support, that changed. Luis joined the after-school audition prep program , strengthening both his technique and confidence while his counselor, Ms. Rodriguez worked closely with his family to navigate each step of the process.
Offered at no cost to families, the program adds more than 48 hours of monthly academic enrichment, giving students meaningful opportunities to apply their ELA and math skills through dynamic, hands-on classes such as creative writing, chess, visual art, computerbased academic support, and project-based literacy.
Luis' Father
SOUND FOUNDATION
WHIN invests every dollar with discipline, transparency, and intention — prioritizing student success while building a sustainable future.
Looking Ahead
As WHIN enters its second decade, our focus is on strengthening the pathways to possibility for our students.
TOTAL REVENUE:
$12,838,297
• Academic excellence through arts-integrated learning
• Expanded after-school and transition support
• Staff investment & cultural partnerships
• Sustainable philanthropy to anchor WHIN in the community
FOUNDATION
$12,683,810
An Invitation to Build the Future
WHIN has reached a pivotal moment. Our students are moving beyond preparation and into opportunity. As we look toward the next decade, we seek partners who recognize WHIN as both
INSTRUCTION & STUDENT SERVICES, MUSIC PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS, AFTER-SCHOOL & ENRICHMENT, FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, FACILITIES & OPERATIONS a pipeline for musical success and a model for what public education can be when music leads. Together, we can secure the long-term pathways our students deserve.
MOVING FORWARD
As WHIN enters its second decade, the focus is clear: build on what works and go further.
WHIN’s approach works—proving what’s possible when access comes first, music is the engine of learning, and high expectations drive results.
WHIN is both a pipeline for musical excellence and a model for what public education can be when standards are high and access is universal.
Our Strategic Priorities:
STRENGTHENING ACADEMIC OUTCOMES
Develop teacher capacity through intensive coaching and implement project-based learning cycles where students demonstrate mastery through academic and artistic performances or exhibitions.
EXPANDING ENRICHMENT & HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITIONS
Increase after-school opportunities focused on high-impact activities like competitive sports, robotics, advanced tutoring, creative writing, and chamber music groups.
The years ahead focus on strengthening academic outcomes, expanding reach, and extending this proven impact.
Public funding keeps the lights on. Your philanthropic support is what changes the trajectory of our students’ lives.
INVESTING IN FACULTY & CULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS
Increase access to professional development for staff, including partnerships with local colleges and universities for degree advancement programs.
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE PHILANTHROPY
Launch a fundraising campaign targeting individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors to ensure WHIN remains a cultural anchor for Washington Heights and Inwood.
WHIN is grateful to the following individuals who have supported our mission since 2016:
Arnold Adlin, Puja Ahluwalia, Susan Akana, Robert Allen, Robin Allstadt, Karen and Lawrence Altschul, Paul Appelbaum, Janis Arno, Ronald Aroesty, Emiliya Bagdasarian, Joshua Bederman, Anita Beeber, Anthony BelliveauFlores, Steven Bloom, Susan Bloom, Eric Booth, Vincent Brancato, Hunter Brown, Jennifer Camhi, Rob Cantave, Rochelle Castellano, Margaret Chapman, Stephen Chase, Bob Cohen, Harvey Cohen, Valerie Colville, Peter Compo, Mary Corbelli, Karlene Cowan, Adria Crutchfield, Elisabeth Dalfen, Paige Daly Deblasi, Karen Daniels, Greg and Audrey David, Jon David, Sidney David, Jane Davis, Steve Deblasi, Peggy Dezwirek, Chris Dippilito, Thomas Donato, Karen Drezner, Bryan Dunn, Yini Eaddy, Sherman Edmiston, Mark Ellman, Allison Charney Epstein, Lawrence Fanfair, Mia Fazio, Jeff Fields, Doug Fitch, Donna Flaccavento, Fe Florimon, Madeleine Fowler, Lucas Franken, Margaret and Eric Friedberg, Arnold and Isabele Friedman, Steven Friedman, Dan Froehlich, John Gamba, Belkis Garcia, John Gatsos, Ivan and Linda Gefen, Lev Gelfer, Annemiek Gersten, Stephen Gilman, Nicole Gioia, Barbara Glasser, Paul Goldberg, Garry Golden, Jane Goldstein, Mary Golfman Litwin, Mark and Ellie Gordon, David Gracia, Marlene Grad, Stuart and Paula Graff, Roger Granet, Enid Grant, Carrie Grassi, Ronni and Ralph Grebow, Bob Green, Jonathan Green, Leonard Green, Lois Green, Michael Green, Linda Greene, Marisa Greene, Henry Greenidge, Janet Greenman, Ann Greg, Sara Grillo, Michael Grin, Victoria Grin, Iris Grover, Kenneth Grover, Melnick Harold, David Heller, Estelle Heller, Felice Heller, Mike Herman, Deborah Herschel, Joyce Hoch, Bridget Holmes, Amelia Holstrom, Jamie Hooper, Patrick Houlahan, Doug Hughes, Robin Hummel, Richard Huyhn, Annie Huynh, Un Sil Hwang, Sardar Imran, Cynthia Ivanick, Raymond Janeczek, Lauren Jonas, Lanilyn Kabir, Julian Kaiser, Karen Kalina, Anessa Karney, Loki Karuna, Kim and Elliot Katz, David Kaufthal, Jonathan Kay, Ellyn Kessler, Shewar Khan, Gerry and Lyla Klein, Toni Klimowicz, Ethan Kline, Marina Kolesnik, Aaron Kotick, Heidi and David Krauss, Ruta Krawczyk, Roberta and Arnie Krumholz, Mary Lampson, Pavel Latash, Adele and Herman Lebersfeld, Stephen Lee, Steve and Maddy Lee, Carolann and Steven Leffler, Lawrence Lerner, Heather Les, Richard Lethin, Miriam Leuchter, Jeffrey Levine, Caitlin Lewis, Pamela Lewis, Doreen Lilienfeld, Jeff Lima, Abe Littenberg, Joseph Littenberg, Bethia Liu, Gay Lokash, Elaine Ruiz Lopez, Omar Lopez, Beth Lugara, Lindsey Lynch, Joan and Ed Mahler, Rebecca Mai, Lori and Timon Malloy, Richard Mannoia, Helen and Carl Marbach, Jack Marine, Jessica Martinez, William Mentlik, Dale Merken, Laura Jean Meyers, Jeremy Milan, Rita and Robert Miller, Rebecca Moffett, Heidi Morales, Brian Moran, Elizabeth Moulthrop, Amy Mulderry, Robert and Andi Munzer, Sarah Najarian, Alexander Natanzon, Jon Nelson, Melissa Ngan, Vaughn Nichols, Richard Nierenberg, Tandis Nili, Lois Nix, Ivonne Norman, Lee Ann Norman, Francine Oberst, Rachel Orban, Kristina Orlanes, Charlie Ortiz, John and Janet Ortiz, Steven Ortiz, David Oshinsky, Donald Ostrow, Carmel Owen, Cody Owens, Richard Padulo, Anthony Paolone, Roshel Pasos, Linda Podietz, Adam Pollock, Dave Poritzky, Vicki and David Portman, Geri Pozner, Andrea Profili, Dina Pruzansky, Mildred Ramos, Allan Reine, Michael Reynolds, Dorothy Robinson, Yomil Rosas, Rachel Rosin, Evan Ross, Howard Ross, Julie and Andrew Rubinstein, Katy Rubin, Katy Rubin-Weinstein, Edward and Arlene Ruff, Art Samberg, Becky Samberg, Joe Samberg, Sandy Samberg, Laura Samberg Faino, Karen Sander, Jacobo Sasson, Al and Marcia Schmier, Jeffery and Stephanie Schreider, Lynn Schronbaun, Richard and Elissa Schwartz, Tyler Scott, Maddy and Arthur Seeman, Michael Seeve, Igor Segal, David Shakarchi, Olivia and Gerry Shapiro, Cynthia Sheitelman, Hasnain Sial, Susan Simon, Alex Sinelnikov, Alina Sinelnikov, Cristi Smith, Diane-Kiernan Smith, Jonathan Smith, Terence Smith, Melissa Sposato, Weston Sprott, Marc Sprung, Michael Steinberg, Julie Steinberg Rubenstein, Richard and Audrey Stoller, Clifford Strong, Rada Sumareva, Andrew Snyder, Ryan Szainwald, Jay Takefman, Lawrence Tamburri, Roger Tilles, Erin Topham, Kathleen Treacy, Hong Truong, Nicole Tyler, Grant Underwood, Desiree Vazquez Barlatt, Usman Waheed, Farrah Waldman, Marian Waldman, Katie Warnock, Thomas Weise, Roy Wepner, Don and Barbara Werner, William Wheeler, Anne and Art Wichman, Jerold Wichtel, Art and Riki Winston, Curtis Winter, Karen Winter, Tanya Witek, Amanda Wolfe, Lijing Wu, Eli Yamin, Lori Zabar, Michael Zaitsev, Misha Zaitsev, Calvin Zarin, Linda Zeltner, Julia Zilberquit.
Shewar Khan CHAIR
Josh Bederman TREASURER
Cynthia Ivanick
SECRETARY
Gregory Bell MEMBER
Greg David MEMBER
Bob Green MEMBER
Jonathan Smith MEMBER
Reveal to our children the beauty of music, and music shall reveal… the beauty of life.
Make possibility real. Donate at whinmusic.org/donate or scan the QR code below.
WHIN Music Community Charter School
528 W 162nd Street
New York, NY 10032
(646) 970-4815
www.whinmusic.org giving@whinmusic.org
— José Antonio Abreu (El Sistema)