irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $212KCELEBRATE! MUSIC INVITES YOUNG LEARNERS TO BECOME GLOBAL CITIZENS IN AN ACTIVE EXPLORATION OF WORLD MUSIC. BRINGS ENGAGING ENSEMBLES FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND CORRESPONDING WORKSHOPS INTO NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CULTIVATING A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE THAT NURTURES EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING. STUDENTS EXPERIENCE LIVE PERFORMANCES AND INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS WITH TEACHING ARTISTS AND LEARN ABOUT THE RICHNESS OF CULTURAL TRADITIONS, WORKS OF ART AND MUSICAL CUSTOMS.
- #2 $72KNEXTGEN MUSICIAN IS A YOUTH LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY PROGRAM, LAUNCHED IN 2022 FOR NEW YORK CITY SCHOOL TEENS. STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO EXPLORE CAREER PATHWAYS IN MUSIC AND BEYOND, THROUGH WORKSHOPS, PRIVATE LESSONS, MASTERCLASSES, PERFORMANCES, WORK-STUDY OPPORTUNITIES, AND CAREER LABS WITH CRITICAL THINKERS IN DIVERSE FIELDS OF STUDY AND EXTRAORDINARY ARTISTS, INCLUDING WORLD RENOWNED VIRTUOSO VIOLINIST MIDORI, AT NO CHARGE. TEENS SHARPEN ADVOCACY SKILLS THROUGH STORYTELLING, PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND PERSUASIVE WRITING. THE PROGRAM CULMINATES WITH A COMMUNITY PRESENTATION OF THEIR COLLABORATIVE ARTS ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN FEATURING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUSIC LEADERS.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
NEXTGen Musician
Youth leadership and advocacy program for NYC high school students that includes workshops, private lessons, masterclasses, and career labs with artists and thinkers, culminating in a community arts advocacy campaign.
Passport Series
Immersive, hands-on workshops that bring world music and cultural traditions from Japan, Africa, Latin America, and China into NYC schools, promoting global awareness and cultural understanding among K-12 students.
Professional Development Series
Training and enrichment program for teaching artists that includes peer mentoring, workshops, and observations to strengthen instructional practice and classroom engagement.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
-
Music Education and Training Programs 4 activities
- Deliver tuition-free music education programs to K-12 students in underserved NYC schoolsProvides high-quality, sequential instrumental and vocal music instruction to PreK–12 students in New York City public and charter schools with limited access to the arts, through in-school and after-school programming. Delivered 3,110 instructional hours and served 10,887 students during the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Develop music education curriculum and instructional resourcesCreates and implements tailored music education curricula used across its programs, ensuring high-quality, age-appropriate, and culturally responsive content aligned with educational goals.
- Engage community members through arts education initiativesReached 16,401 community members through music education programs and related events during the 2025–2026 program cycle, including students, families, educators, and local stakeholders.
- Partner with schools and community organizations to deliver programmingCollaborates annually with 68 schools and community partners in New York City to implement music education initiatives, expanding reach and integrating programming within existing educational environments.
-
-
Community Music Performances & Education 2 activities
- Deliver guest artist workshops and world music series programsConducts specialized workshops led by guest artists across genres and cultures, including 35 World Music Series programs in the 2025–2026 cycle. These immersive, interactive sessions engage students directly with performers and introduce diverse musical styles and traditions beyond standard curricula.
- Host interactive performances and workshops with world-class classical ensemblesBrings award-winning classical musicians into school music rooms through the Kazuko Hojo Classical Series, offering students live performances, masterclasses, instrument demonstrations, and dialogue opportunities that foster emotional connection and real-time feedback. Programming includes storytelling elements for younger audiences and close personal interactions between students and professional musicians.
-
-
Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Operate a paid youth fellowship program for high school musiciansRuns the Laraine Fischer NEXTGen Fellowship, a two-year paid apprenticeship for NYC high school students that includes weekly private music lessons, mentorship, leadership development, career exploration, masterclasses, performances, work-study opportunities, and training in public speaking and advocacy. All participants gained college admission and reported measurable growth in musical collaboration, confidence, and exposure to diverse artists.
-
-
Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Organize student recitals and concert eventsHosts public performances including 56 student recitals and 398 Celebrate! Music concerts during the 2025–2026 academic year, providing performance opportunities for students and concert experiences for over 6,700 students. The Midori Matinee program also organizes student-led recitals as culminating events of music instruction cycles.
-
-
Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 1 activity
- Provide immersive global cultural arts education through themed programsOffers hands-on workshops and performances introducing students to diverse musical traditions and cultures—including Japanese, Chinese, West African, and Latin American—through programs such as Journey to Japan, Connections to China, Adventures in Africa, and Let's Go Latin America. These include live performances, storytelling, art-making, dance, and cooking activities designed to expand students’ artistic and cultural horizons.
-
-
Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
- Provide professional development for teaching artistsOffers training and support to teaching artists through group workshops, peer mentoring, and classroom observations to enhance instructional practice and align music programming with school curricula.
-
-
Music Education Support 1 activity
- Support student access to instruments and materialsProvides instrument repair support to ensure students in music programs have access to functional instruments, removing barriers to participation in instrumental music education.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.83M
Contributions & grants$1.56M85%
Program service revenue$346K19%
Investment income$2K0%
Other revenue$-78K
expenses
Total expenses$2.01M
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising19%
Salaries & benefits$1.31M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.76M
Cash$821K
Investments$0
Liabilities$545K
Net assets$1.21M
Liquid reserves4.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -2.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARISA GELMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $220K |
| THOMAS CAWLEY | CFO | 40 | $158K |
| LUZ MACMANUS | VP OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $116K |
board members · 21
- ALAN FISCHER — DIRECTOR
- CHRIS RIGGS — DIRECTOR (THRU 06/25)
- CRAIG PANTER — DIRECTOR
- ELANA SLOBODIEN — DIRECTOR
- FERNANDA UBATUBA — DIRECTOR (THRU 06/25)
- GEETA SHARMA MD — DIRECTOR
- HEIDI ARONIN — DIRECTOR
- HIROSHI KAWANO — DIRECTOR
- HOWARD SENDROVITZ — CHAIR
- JENNIFER HANLEY — DIRECTOR
- MAKIKO TANAKA — DIRECTOR
- MANDY DEFILIPPO — DIRECTOR
- MARC RICHTER — SECRETARY
- MARCELO TAU — DIRECTOR (THRU 01/25)
- MARILYN COHEN — VICE CHAIR/TREASURER
- MEGAN JAKEL — DIRECTOR
- MIDORI GOTO — DIRECTOR
- PETER GLASER — DIRECTOR
- SETSU GOTO — DIRECTOR
- WHITAKER IRVIN JR — DIRECTOR
- YUKA HASHIMOTO — DIRECTOR
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Board of Directors Network — Governing body providing strategic leadership, governance, and fundraising support.
- Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Recognized for leadership in supporting arts programs; works with Midori & Friends through public funding mechanisms.
- Kazuko Hojo Partner — Namesake and likely collaborator or supporter of the Classical Music Series.
- Kazuko Hojo Partner — Supports the Kazuko Hojo Classical Series, which brings classical music ensembles to schools.
- Laraine Fischer Partner — Funder and namesake of the NEXTGen Fellowship, a paid leadership and artistry program for NYC high school musicians.
- Lotos Foundation Funder — Supports the Laraine Fischer NEXTGen Fellowship.
- MUFG Funder — Funder of the Journey to Japan program
- Midori Partner — World-renowned violinist and founder whose vision established the organization.
- Morgan Stanley Funder — Supports the Laraine Fischer NEXTGen Fellowship.
- NYC Cultural Development Fund Government — Provides funding support for the NEXTGen program.
- New York City Council Government — Provides public funding through discretionary appropriations and CASA & Initiative grants for cultural after-school programs.
- New York City Department of Education Government — Collaborates with the NYC Department of Education by aligning programs with its Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts.
- PS 127K Partner — School partner that has collaborated with Midori and Friends teaching artists.
- PS 48Q Partner — School site where Midori & Friends presented a performance and arts education program.
- PS 66Q Partner — Partner school where Midori & Friends delivers music instruction and supports student development.
- PS 748K Partner — School partner that hosted ARKAI concert for afterschool students.
- World Renowned Virtuoso Violinist Midori Partner — Participates in the NextGen Musician program by leading career labs and masterclasses for NYC high school students.
- Young Professionals Board Network — Group of young professionals aged 25–35 who fundraise, raise awareness, and support governance.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artist-Led, Participatory Learning Modelmethodology: integrated_performance-education_modelBy integrating live performances, masterclasses, and interactive workshops led by professional musicians, students experience immersive, hands-on learning that deepens engagement and makes music careers feel attainable because direct exposure to role models bridges aspiration and identity.
- Culturally Responsive and Curriculum-Integrated Arts Educationmethodology: culturally-responsive-arts-educationBy aligning culturally diverse music programs with school curricula and state standards, and embedding them in academic subjects, the organization ensures educational coherence and relevance because integration increases accessibility, supports language development, and reinforces learning across disciplines.
- Family and Community Engagement Through Cultural Learningmethodology: family-engaged cultural educationBy extending music and cultural education into family and community contexts through take-home activities and inclusive design, the organization deepens global awareness and sustains engagement because learning is reinforced when it connects to students’ home lives and cultural identities.
- Music Education as a Catalyst for Youth Developmentmethodology: music-education-for-youth-developmentBy providing accessible, sequential music education rooted in cultural diversity and artistic excellence, the organization fosters confidence, self-expression, and personal transformation in young people because sustained creative engagement supports identity development and builds foundational life skills.
- Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement Through the Artsmethodology: youth-leadership-through-artsBy combining music training with leadership development and advocacy opportunities, the organization prepares teens for future success in music and beyond because integrating artistic, civic, and communication skills fosters agency and real-world readiness.