WHAT IS THE PRIMAVERA FUND?
“When you are part of The Primavera Fund, you have everything.”
Many talented young musicians cannot afford the extracurricular education needed to succeed. Recognizing that Philadelphia has many excellent music programs, we provide the missing piece: direct funding to students and families, as well as guidance for how to best use that funding. As the old joke says, before you can get to Carnegie Hall (or Curtis or The Philadelphia Orchestra), you need to practice, practice, practice. You also need to be taught by the best, have an instrument that works, and receive expert guidance. Ms. Segal and Mr. Bean have developed The Primavera Fund into a fully funded, pre-collegiate music education access program for students in grades 5-12. Our Artists are chosen through an annual competitive audition process. Keeping our roster small allows us to invest fully, both financially and personally, in every Artist.
The biggest thing that sets us apart is the expert mentoring we provide. With a combined 35+ years of experience, Rachel and Kenny have worked in almost every aspect of music making and as teachers. They have worked with classical, pop, jazz, hip-hop, and world music artists, have taught at summer camps and universities, and have both directed youth orchestras and coached chamber music. They have worked in the USA and abroad, and know the field in unique and complementary ways to one another, which enables us to give real world advice and guidance that is tailored to each Artist and their musical interests.
HOW WAS THE PRIMAVERA FUND FOUNDED?
Founder Rachel Segal grew up in Philadelphia and had an international career as a professional violinist. Her family was upper middle class and it was not difficult for them to pay for her music education. In her private teaching experience, she noticed that the vast majority of her students also came from affluent families and she realized that financially disadvantaged students with a passion for music are unlikely to be able to pay for the years of lessons and extra curricular activities needed to win a music school audition. She knew that the path to professionalism was already challenging, and socio-economic factors present an outsized barrier to young musicians with passion, but not privilege.
Co-Founder Kenneth Bean grew up in West Baltimore, and auditioned and was accepted to the Baltimore School for the Arts on the trumpet. He later won a full scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory and found a pathway to professionalism, but not without many obstacles sacrifices that affluent families just do not have to make. Mr. Bean had worked in Philadelphia’s musical education institutions for a decade and when Ms. Segal asked him to help found The Norman Holland-Hull Instrument Library, he was excited to help provide opportunities he had very much needed as a young musician.
WHAT DOES THE PRIMAVERA FUND PROVIDE?
The Primavera Fund provides expert mentorship, 100% funding of all relevant music education activities, and the use of a professional-grade instrument from The Norman Holland Hull Instrument Library. Each Primavera Artist receives the following at no cost to them or their family:
Tangible Support Includes:
Weekly private lessons
Weekly youth orchestra and chamber music
Intensive summer music programs
Theory and composition
Recordings for college and competition auditions
Accompanists for rehearsals, performances, and recording sessions
Trial lessons with potential college teachers
Travel locally, to summer programs, and college auditions
Supplies such as strings and sheet music
Professional photos
Intangible Support Includes:
Being there for every Artist without judgment
Being available to parents and teachers to discuss plans and challenges
Introducing our Artists to teachers at potential colleges
Working behind the scenes to make sure our Artists are getting the most out of their programs