Pay it forward campaign for The Music Battery raises $5K

DICF provides matching grant

The talented young performers in The Music Battery drum line will soon have even more resources to take their beat to the streets, thanks to a Daniel Island effort inspired by an act of kindness.

The non-profit after school program, created by Black Tie Music Academy’s Braeden Kershner and Kris Manning, recently received a generous $5,200 gift sparked by a “GoFundMe” campaign initiated by Daniel Island resident Laura Mendola.

After Mendola’s daughter, Bryce Seibuhr, received a new piano from Black Tie Music Academy last summer, she was inspired to “pay it forward” as a way to thank Kershner and Manning for their generosity. Seibuhr, who suffers from a chronic pain condition, often played the free public piano outside BTMA at night as an escape from her illness. When Siebuhr discovered the piano broken on one of her visits, she left a note for Kershner and Manning asking if it might be possible for the piano to be fixed. The pair invited Seibuhr to the academy the next day and told her they would not only be donating a new piano to her for use in her home, but that she also would be receiving complimentary piano lessons from BTMA.

When Mendola learned about The Music Battery, she decided to launch the “GoFundMe” account to raise money for the program. Soon, she received word that the Daniel Island Community Fund (DICF) would match all donations received up to $2500. Last week, at a special concert celebrating the Music Battery’s first anniversary, the DICF presented a check to Manning and Kershner. The “GoFundMe” campaign, combined with the DICF donation, resulted in a $5200 contribution to the program.

“The Music Battery is about cooperation, self confidence, perseverance and being a part of something bigger than yourself,” said Manning. “To see the community step up and show the kids, first-hand, that it supports them through a successful fundraiser is phenomenal. What the kids are learning is reinforced through these kind folks’ actions.”

Both Mendola and Seibuhr attended the concert last week at the Ferndale Community Center in North Charleston and took part in the check presentation.

“I got a little emotional when I was speaking, and so did Bryce,” said Mendola, who praised the kids for their performance during her time at the microphone. “The talent that these kids displayed was incredible. I was really taken. Braden and Kris outdid themselves with the dedication and love they that they have for these kids and their program. I felt completely honored to have been a part of it all. It was a blessing all around.”

The Music Battery is described by its founders as “a community where under-served youth gather to collaborate and perform,” and where talents are nurtured and enveloped in a culture that promotes confidence, security, musicianship and camaraderie. The group, led by instructor DeAndre Lee, has performed at a number of local events and venues over the past year, including the North Charleston Holiday Parade, Daniel Island Fourth of July Parade, Piccolo Spoleto, and the recent “Thanks, Joe!” celebration honoring Mayor Joe Riley. For more information on the program, visit www.themusicbattery.com.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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