Shakespeare once said, “If music be the food of love, play on.” At the Pennsylvania Academy of Music, the students “play on,” filling the halls with beautiful harmonies in a setting where, as their motto says, “Education meets performance.”
Background
“Music soothes, music heals,” said Academy President and co-founder Michael Jamanis. “It can bring back memories, it can take you away to a different place. It's a celebration of life.” Jamanis, along with wife Francis Veri, Dean of the Academy, who originally met as students at Julliard, have led a life rich in music. After making their Lincoln Center debut in 1970, the two enjoyed an international touring career as duo-pianists.
While traveling, the two were entranced by the musical universities of the Eastern cultures. “We were impressed by the dedication, the discipline the students demonstrated,” said Veri. “We became interested in establishing a similar center where a student became a well-rounded individual studying music and experiencing life.”
This idea was further cemented by their son. “We were taking our son to New York and Philadelphia in order to further his musical education,” explained Jamanis. “We thought it would be wonderful to have a musical center in Lancaster, particularly as it is a family community in close proximity with larger cities.”
The Opening
Thus, in 1989, the Pennsylvania Academy of Music first opened its doors, then moved to its permanent home at 74 North Prince St. In June 2008, a massive renovation of the facility led to a totally modern home which includes classrooms, a recording studio, and 364 seat recital hall. Currently, the Academy offers a variety of programs, both instrumental and choral, to students ranging in both ages and abilities.
Philosophy
“Our philosophy is the development of the individual. We have some exceptional students,” said Veri. “We want our students to have a wonderful experience. Hopefully, they will all love music for the rest of their lives.”
Goals
For faculty and students, this is an exciting time for the Academy. Recently, they debuted a streaming video feed, allowing classes to be taught across the world. With a dedication to crossing cultural barriers, the Academy recently hosted some Hungarian students, and is looking forward to an exchange program with the Chinese Folk Orchestra.
In addition, there's the programs available for people at home. “Right now, we have partnered with Lancaster Mennonite High to provide our international students with an exceptional education while exploring music,” said Veri. “We are also developing a musical program for mothers and their newborns.”
“We also have a wonderful musical appreciation program for the adult community. It's amazing how many adults are still involved with music, or want to come back to it,” continued Verdi. “And finally, we pride ourselves on embracing what's going on right now stylistically in contemporary music and making it available to our students
According to Jamanis, this is only the beginning. “We're growing conceptually,” he said. “The vision just keeps getting bigger.”
Susan Beam - Currently writing for a weekly newspaper, the Columbia Ledger, in Columbia, PA, and for Lancaster County Woman.
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