The Music Project is fortunate to have Bernadette Bascom as the Creative Director and founder of our project. She serves as a mentor, coach and friend to the kids in the project, with a heart of gold and the talent and professionalism to match

"Bernadette Bascom is one of Seattle's Pop Music Treasures"
Patrick McDonald
Music Critic
Seattle Times


Recently returned to the Seattle area after a 15 year career as a performer in Las Vegas, Bernadette has worked with some of the biggest names in show business - from Stevie Wonder to Elton to Tony Orlando & Dawn. A classy and energetic entertainer she gives great enthusiasm and passion to her role in the project and to those whose lives she touches.

For more information about Bernadette, visit her website.
www.bernadette
bascom.com 

Honorary Board Members



Sanjaya Malakar &
Shyamali Malakar

 We are fortunate to have the support of these two exceptional, musicians and American Idol contestants. They performed and worked closely with the students in last year's production of  "A Motown Evening" 

Click here
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF3mg53t_IU  to see a documentary video of the Motown Evening benefit performance at
the Northshore Performing Arts Center in April 2008.
It features our creative director Bernadette Bascom and American idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar and the students from the Secondary Academy for Success.  

Celebrity Spokesman and Ambassador
Theo Peoples of
The Four Tops



The Music Project Foundation is blessed to have our first Celebrity Spokesperson and Ambassador, Mr. Theo Peoples. He was the former lead singer for The Temptations, and is now the lead singer for The Four Tops.

The Music Project Foundation



Jim Geiszler
Executive Director
Bernadette Bascom
Creative Director
Vivian Philips
Sr. Advisor to the Board
Senator Rosemary McAuliffe
Chair
Gayle Stevens
Vice Chair
Patricia Hinneburg
Secretary
Rich Johnston
Treasurer

Board Members:
Eric Barnum
Vicki Perry 


Events Director
Gayle Stevens

Technical Director
Steve Smith

Art Director
Vicki Perry

Production & Visual Directors
Rose Smith
Travis Muller

Photography
Debi Trembley

Jim Geiszler
Executive Director

With 38 years behind him as an educator, Jim Geiszler has the experience and knowledge to guide "The Music Project". His skills in education compliment Bernadette Bascom's in music. They are a formidable team who are grounded in what it takes to be successful. They believe there is no shortcut except hard work and perseverance, whether it is in music or education. Jim's experience in alternative education has made him sensitive to the needs of youth who have ability, but just need a boost of confidence to help them take that step forward. It is within this framework that "The Music Project" was conceived and developed.

Music and the arts have always been an important part of Jim's life.  They provide one with the means of self-expression. The challenge is to make life meaningful and to reach for a higher stage of development. We all need to be in touch at some time in our lives with our core, with who we are and what we feel. Self esteem is a byproduct of this self-expression. 

Jim ardently believes that music performance teaches young people to conquer fear and to take risks. A little anxiety is a good thing, and something that will occur often in life. Dealing with it early and often makes it less of a problem later. Risk-taking is essential if a child is to fully develop his or her potential.