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Marianne Drake, left, chief advancement officer of institutional advancement at MCLA; MCLA President Mary K. Grant; Thomas Leavitt, MountainOne president and CEO; and Kelli Kozak, assistant vice president and community development officer at MountainOne.

MountainOne Gift of $100K Sponsors Scholars Program

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —  MountainOne has given a gift of $100,000 to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to be used to create a scholars program.

President and CEO Thomas Leavitt said the MountainOne Community Development Scholars Program is designed to provide internship opportunities for MCLA students to work with qualified not-for-profit organizations to further community development initiatives in the areas that bank serves, including the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, Rockland, Quincy, Scituate and Danvers.

"We know the value of partnering with the next generation of leaders in spearheading real change. MCLA students have talent, energy and a fresh perspective, and we need to help them put that to use in our local communities," Leavitt said.

MCLA President Mary Grant said the college was appreciative of the gift from a strong and longtime community partner.


"It is exciting to now have this new collaboration with MountainOne that not only helps to prepare our students for careers but will provide energy and talent to the nonprofit sector that plays a key role in our extended communities," she said.

Internships provide valuable experience for students as they apply classroom knowledge to practical experience, said Monica Joslin, MCLA dean of academic affairs.

"In addition, internships provide incredible networking opportunities with professionals in the field," Joslin said. "Combining an internship experience with a liberal arts education is highly attractive to employers and gives students an competitive advantage as they apply for employment. We are grateful to MountainOne for their gift and dedication to community development."

Student selection for participation in the MountainOne Community Development Scholars Program will be based upon academic standing. MCLA will determine appropriate organizations to partner with in the administration of the program, and also will administer the funding, implementation and selection process.


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Spring Jazz Ensemble Concert At Simon's Rock

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— The annual Bard College at Simon's Rock Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert begins Friday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m. 
 
Conducted by Professor of Music, Electronic Arts, and Cultural Studies John Myers, the concert will include new arrangements of pieces by artists such as Thelonius Monk, Johnny Mandel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and others, as well as the debut of John Myers' original composition "Lifeline." 
 
Along with student players, the concert will also include faculty guest artists Allan Dean on trumpet, Pete Toigo on bass, and the voice of emeritus faculty guest artist Bill Dunbar.
 
"My students are multi-talented, not just in music, but in other disciplines as well, including physics, linguistics, and mathematics. Our drummer, Yonah Sadeh, is already an award-winning filmmaker, and both of our guitarists are performing composers with online followers," said Myers.
 
Among those student performers are David Bronshvayg on violin, Damien Brown on trumpet, Tzedek Fishman on piano/keyboard, Megan Hackett on guitar and providing vocals, Zoia Levit on accordion, Paul Rose on piano, keyboard, and vocals, Maayan Rosenberg on clarinet, Yonah Sadeh on drums, Bohdan Lastochkin on guitar, and Ace Thompson on bass.
 
"One of the many special features of the Simon's Rock Jazz Ensemble is that I create my own original arrangements of all the music, shaped by the abilities and personalities of the players. Another feature is our unusual instrumentation, which this semester includes accordion and violin as well as the more traditional jazz instruments," said Myers.
 
On performing Myers' personal composition at the upcoming concert, he also said, "My composition "Lifeline" uses three levels of 7: 7/8, 7/4, and 7/2. The students enjoy the challenge of playing in these kinds of meters, and I supply one of my own pieces every semester."
 
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