Renaissance E.M.S.

Renaissance E.M.S. @ Madson Square Garden

2010-01-20T21:37:00.002-05:00

Sound Check St. Johns Basketball Game National Anthem

A Renaissance Christmas in the Bronx

2009-12-22T06:16:00.005-05:00

4th Anuual Renaissance E.M.S. Reception and Concert in Chappaqua

2009-07-18T07:59:00.006-04:00

Renaissance E.M.S. Performance at World Team Tennis Tournament Featuring Serena Williams

2009-07-18T07:35:00.004-04:00

Music on Wheels Recital Rocks DeWitt Clinton High School

2009-05-25T23:03:00.013-04:00

This year's Music on Wheels recital, held at DeWitt Clinton High School in May in front of an enthusiastic crowd of well over 1,000, featured 500 performers from the 15 schools served by Renaissance E.M.S.

Newly elected Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. welcomed everyone to the Bronx and to the performance.
America the Beautiful
Mr. Harris and his charges.
A drumming sensation!
Stand By Me . . .
. . . brought down the house!

Raeliss shines

Black & Gold Dinner Kicks off Warrior Basketball Season

2009-05-25T22:56:00.008-04:00

The Renaissance Warrior basketball season starts off each year with the Black & Gold dinner. This year's dinner featured a talk by St. John's University Coach Norm Roberts.

The Renaissance E.M.S. chorus performed the National Anthem.
Coach Q.Mr. Harris

GRAMMY SoundCheck @ The Hammerstein Ballroom

2009-05-25T22:51:00.004-04:00

GRAMMY SoundCheck invited Renaissance E.M.S. to watch violinist Andre Rieu and his orchestra rehearse at the fabled Hammerstein Ballroom in April.

GRAMMY SoundCheck @ Hard Rock Times Square

2009-05-25T22:44:00.006-04:00

Renaissance E.M.S. was invited by GRAMMY SoundCheck to watch former New York Yankee star Bernie Williams rehearse at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square in April.

Hard Rock at the New Yankee Stadium

2009-05-25T22:39:00.005-04:00

The Renaissance E.M.S. band was invited to join former New York Yankee star Bernie Williams to perform at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Stadium's opening in April.

2008-12-07T07:14:00.010-05:00

Union Square Arts Award Received by Renaissance E.M.S.

Our Executive Directors, Board members, program participants and staff attended the Union Square Awards dinner last night where Renaissance E.M.S. was one of the 17 organizations honored. "With minimal resources, these organizations are making extraordinary contributions to local neighborhoods," said Union Square Awards executive director Iris Morales. "Given the current economic situation, their work is vital to New York City."

"The Union Square Arts Award recognizes the important and leadership role played by arts and culture in creating educational opportunities, building community and promoting social change. Its purpose is to support creative and innovative programs that benefit youth and families in low-income communities throughout New York City. The goal is to identify arts projects and organizations making a significant impact and contribution to the lives of participants and their communities."

Additional recipients of the Union Square Arts Award last night are listed below.

GIRLS WRITE NOW is a creative writing and mentoring organization for high school girls that provides a safe space for girls to explore and develop their creative, independent voices, and to learn how to make healthy choices in school, career and life. www.girlswritenow.org

THE LAUNDROMAT PROJECT uses the space of local coin-ops to provide communities of color living on modest incomes with access to visual art as a tool of personal and social transformation through programs focused on visual literacy, art making and exhibition. www.laundromatproject.org

MANO A MANO: MEXICAN CULTURE WITHOUT BORDERS is dedicated to celebrating Mexican culture in the United States and promoting the understanding of Mexican traditions among immigrants, artists, educators and the general public in New York.
www.manoamano.us

MULTICULTURAL MUSIC GROUP provides direct instruction to public school students, performances, and professional development in multicultural instrumental music to promote global understanding, cultural awareness, and world music sensitivity.
www.multiculturalmusic.org

T.W.W. INC./(TALKS WITH WOLVES) provides children and young people with in-school and after school programs in writing, visual and performance arts that integrate African and Native American cultures. www.talkswithwolves.org

URBAN WORD NYC exists to ensure that New York City youth have a safe, supportive, dynamic and challenging community in which to discover their voices- through written and spoken word - and use them to express their views, strengthen self-esteem and engage in sociopolitical issues that affect them. www.urbanwordnyc.org

WILLIE MAE ROCK CAMP FOR GIRLS is dedicated to empowerment through music programs for girls and young women that promote self-expression and self-esteem and help combat racism and stereotypes by building bridges of communication and shared experience. www.williemaerockcamp.org

COOL CULTURE makes it possible for low-income families in New York to visit and explore the city’s cultural institutions for free, providing children with valuable learning experiences.
www.cool-culture.org

FREEDOM TRAIN PRODUCTIONS promotes new political theatre written by up-and-coming Black playwrights that feature Black, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender protagonists who challenge audiences to see character struggle from their perspective. www.freedomtrainproductions.org

2008-12-06T07:58:00.006-05:00

The Renaissance E.M.S. Chorus performed at the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program (http://www.harlemjuniortennis.org/) winter fundraiser on November 25 at the Harlem Armory Center.

Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins was among the Guests

The former Mayor took the time to talk with our kids.

Chappaqua Reception (and sleepover!)

2008-11-30T20:04:00.008-05:00

Renaissance E.M.S. made its third annual pilgrimage to Chappaqua, New York on July 24th and 25th for a neighborhood performance, reception and swim. This event is an annual thank you to the many Chappauqua residents who so generously give of their time and resources to Renaissance E.M.S. This year's trip was highlighted by an outdoor sleepover in tents for many of our band members (and one of our Executive Directors!). Not much sleeping but lots of fun.

Yankees Host Renaissance E.M.S.

2008-11-30T19:48:00.006-05:00

On July 21, the New York Yankees hosted Renaissance E.M.S. with a reception in the Yankee Stadium's Great Moments Room and provided a suite and an additional 100 tickets for all of us to enjoy an evening at the great park in its last season. Our vocal group and band provided entertainment for the guests at our reception. We hope to be back at the Stadium in 2009, perhaps with the opportunity for our chorus to sing the National Anthem on the field.

National Anthem at World Team Tennis Tournament

2008-07-10T22:15:00.008-04:00

The Renaissance E.M.S. chorus sang the National Anthem at a World Team Tennis tournament featuring Serena Williams and never sounded better. This was the second year in a row that the chorus appeared at a featured WTT tournament.

Music On Wheels Recital - May 30, 2008

2008-06-17T06:56:00.029-04:00

The Renaissance E.M.S. Music on Wheels program provided music education this past school year in 17 schools and after school programs in the Bronx with 26 classes each week serving over 400 students. The Music on Wheels end of the year recital at DeWitt Clinton High School included over 350 of those students who performed before an enthusiastic audience of family, friends, teachers, school principals and other guests.

First Annual Charity Golf Outing

2008-05-28T10:40:00.009-04:00

Great day of golf organized by Jeanine Nadler and Ray Cohen at the Salem Golf Course in North Salem, NY. Golf Pro Jerome Andrews, one of Golf Digest's “Top 20 Instructors Under 40”, graciously volunteered his time and talents for the entire day, including a mini-short game clinic before tee time and a driving demonstration on the 8th hole. In exchange for donations to Renaissance E.M.S., Horace Greeley High School golfer Emily Hyman took drives for our golfers on the 18th hole. The Renaissance E.M.S. band performed two sets during cocktails and dinner, and nine Horace Greeley High School students who have been tutoring Renaissance E.M.S. students on Saturdays in the Bronx were honored for their work. A great day all around.
Jerome Andrew's mini-short game clinic.
Emily Hyman teeing off for Renaissance E.M.S. on the 18th.
Board member Jerry Carr, Co-Executive Director Darren Quinlan and Rodney Watson
Alan Neuwirth, Steve Gersh, Andrew Fishman, Jerome Andrews and Renaissance E.M.S. Chairman Howard Altarescu
Raj Ali, Jack McMullan, Kevin Kelly and Doug Thornton
Clay DeGiacinto, Clay Glidewell (winner of the Longest Drive award) and Michael Cawthon (winners of the team lowest net score award)
Harvey and Andrea Berlent, Jerry Wallach and Bill Knobler
Matt and Frank Linde, Ray and Karen Cohen
Adam Stein, Brian Aronne, Rob Newborn and Matt Stein
Greg Zehner, Board member Dan Nadler, Jeanine Nadler (winner of the closest to the pin award), and John BigleyBarry Rothberg, Don Leitch and Tracy Picker
The Renaissance E.M.S. Band performed two sets . . .
. . . led by Co-Executive Director Bervin Harris, on the keyboard below.
Honors for the “Chappaqua Nine”, Jessie Nadler, Gillian Leitch, Matthew Jayson, Emily Hyman, Emily Levin, Jimmy Wu, Jeremy Lippmann, Laura McFeely and Elizabeth Albert, pictured with some of the Renaissance E.M.S. students.

Renaissance Warriors Black & Gold Dinner 2008

2008-05-04T16:54:00.010-04:00

We were pleased to welcome the 2008 Renaissance Warriors basketball teams and their families to our Black & Gold dinner on May 2. We thank our Guest Speaker, Fred Quartlebaum, Assistant Coach of the St. Johns University basketball team, and his colleague Billy Singleton, Director of Operations of the St. Johns University basketball team, as well as freshman standout, point guard, Malik Boothe. Their presence at our dinner and their remarks to the players and their families were greatly appreciated.
Coach Quartlebaum, a Fordham University graduate and Bronx native, providing pointers during the dinner.
Coach Singleton, also a Bronx native and a St. Johns University grad, also provided his insights to players during the dinner.

Coach Quartlebaum spoke very directly to players and parents.
Coach Singleton and St. Johns University freshman point guard Malik Boothe also offered their insights.

The Renaissance Warriors and Red Storm Coaching staffs.

The Renaissance E.M.S. chorus sang the National Anthem for us.
The Renaissance E.M.S. band and chorus also performed during dinner.
Winners of the Black & Gold dinner raffle.

Trail Blazers of Youth Programs

2008-03-31T21:06:00.005-04:00

Congratulation to our Executive Directors who were recently presented with the Trail Blazers of Youth Programs award at the 8th Annual Scholarship Luncheon of the NAACP New York State Conference and the Gloria Benfield, G&B Foundation, Inc.

The Foundation’s purpose is to raise funds to assist culturally challenged and economically disadvantaged students to pursue their dreams in the colleges and universities of their choice.

Our Executive Directors are truly Trail Blazers for the youth in our programs, we appreciate their hard work and we are honored by the award presented to them.

Rock Rwanda Battle of the Bands

2008-03-15T06:54:00.003-04:00

The Renaissance E.M.S. band recently performed in the Rock Rwanda Battle of the Bands concert at the Chatham United Methodist Church in Chatham New Jersey to raise money for Houses of Hope. The Houses of Hope program provides “financial support to the rural Shyira Hospital in Rwanda, Africa, for the creation of housing for people living with HIV/AIDS and receiving treatment at the hospital, and for their local caregivers.” For additional information about Houses of Hope and how to make a donation, go to http://www.shyira.org/houseofhope.htm

Internet Safety Training for the Band

2008-02-08T23:32:00.001-05:00

Carol Altarescu of Privo Inc. and Denise Restauri of AllyKatzz.com described social networking and safety measures recommended for teens on the Internet

Renaissance EMS Band Performance at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft

2007-12-29T23:22:00.000-05:00

Holiday Week Performance at offices of our Pro Bono Law Firm

Renaissance E.M.S. SAT Classes

2007-12-07T20:52:00.000-05:00

Our dedicated professional and student volunteers working with our Renaissance E.M.S. students diligently preparing for the SAT exams.

Saturday Music Program Recital

2007-11-17T18:15:00.000-05:00

An exciting day at 3251 Third Avenue in the Bronx as the students in the Saturday music program exhibited their skills to their very appreciative parents and siblings.

New York Yankee Jersey Raffle

2007-11-17T18:04:00.000-05:00

A good friend of Renaissance E.M.S. donated an authentic New York Yankees jersey signed by the entire Yankees team, including now former manager Joe Torre. The wonderful kids in our after school program picked the winner!

Renaissance Warriors Visit the Nets

2007-11-17T17:57:00.000-05:00

SAT Prep @ Renaissance E.M.S.

2007-11-17T17:49:00.000-05:00

AN SAT STORY . . . A BRONX TALE

2007-10-31T10:48:00.000-04:00

In early 2007, Renaissance E.M.S. (Education, Music and Sports) initiated an enhanced academic enrichment program in our South Bronx center consisting of one-on-one high school math tutoring and math SAT prep. While math and other tutoring services are routinely available in more affluent areas of the city and suburbs, and a year or more of SAT prep is almost universal, these aids to academic enrichment which lead to college admission are rare, if not non-existent, in the South Bronx. We wondered, would there be interest? Would the young musicians and athletes in our program commit the time and effort required? Could we make a difference?

One of the students who immediately stepped up and committed himself to this new program was our basketball team captain. Andre had previously taken the SAT but needed to improve his score by a considerable amount in order to achieve his dream to get a basketball scholarship from a four-year college. The college coaches loved him, he was an outstanding player, good kid, bright and ambitious. However, NCAA rules require certain scores to get the scholarship Andre needed to attend a four-year program. After just six weeks of intense, hard work in our SAT prep program, which included a trip to Chappaqua with others in the program to take a practice exam in a realistic setting with other kids their age, and an additional visit on his own for even more focused tutoring, Andre increased his score by 150 points, a very significant achievement! However, it was, unfortunately, not enough to qualify for the scholarship at the schools he was shooting for.

While our volunteer instructors were disappointed for him, Andre and his Mom were elated by the huge improvement in his test score, which was also accompanied by improvements in his GPA. They were also overjoyed by the recognition of what Andre could achieve with hard work and were very appreciative of the effort expended on Andre’s behalf. Andre is now attending a junior college where he is playing basketball and working hard to be able to get a scholarship at the end of the two-year program. A happy ending, and a good beginning, for Andre.

Andre was truly a leader and set an example for others in our program. The result of the example he set? This fall, we have 15 dedicated, committed participants in the math SAT prep program (including the new basketball team captain) all working hard to achieve their own dreams. The instructors report that this fall’s class is fully engaged, the kids are taking responsibility for their learning and the class is infused with energy and enthusiasm. We are all very excited and proud of the effort being made.

Sincere thanks to the talented and dedicated professionals, a former honors math high school teacher and a full-time math SAT Prep tutor, who run our math tutoring and SAT prep programs. Both volunteer their precious time for several hours each Saturday to this very rewarding effort.

Kudos to our Executive Directors, Bervine Harris and Darren Quinlan, for their ability to identify and attract determined and ambitious young boys and girls who appreciate the opportunities provided by all of our programs.

Thanks as well to all of you for your continued interest and support for our programs and the young boys and girls that we serve in the South Bronx. Your continued support is essential to enable us to open doors and provide opportunities for these ambitious, hard working and very appreciative kids and to give this Bronx tale many happy endings.

Renaissance E.M.S. Recording at Royal Blue Studios

2007-10-10T12:42:00.000-04:00

With Bassist Stanley Banks and Sound Engineer Robert Honablue (Royal Blue Studios is proud to be the nation's first - and only - minority-owned audio engineering school.) Renaissance E.M.S. CD coming soon!

Nyoka on guitar

Randy, Cesare, Raeliss and Chris

Co-Executive Director Mr. Bervin Harris directing

Michelle, Karina and Nailah

Stanley Banks

Commerce Bank Honors Renaissance E.M.S.

2007-10-01T22:53:00.001-04:00

Michelle, Randy and Christina accepting a generous donation from Commerce Bank to honor Renaissance E.M.S. upon the occasion of the opening of the Bank's new Pelham Parkway branch.

Color Purple on Broadway

2007-09-17T22:56:00.001-04:00

Members of the Renaissance E.M.S. band and chorus attend Color Purple performance on Broadway as guests of Renaissance E.M.S. supporter, Carol Young of Chappaqua. Thanks Carol!

Chappaqua Reception, July 25, 2007

2007-09-03T13:10:00.001-04:00

Renaissance E.M.S. kids with Bervine Harris and Darren Quinlan (Renaissance EMS Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors) and Carol and Howard Altarescu, Chairman of the Board

Jeff Gittleman of Chappaqua talking with Andre and Al, both members of the 18 and under basketball team. Andre attended the math SAT Prep classes led by Jeff and Dan Nadler of Chappaqua this past spring.

Bervine, a member of the band and of the 14 and under basketball team, Jeff Gittleman of Chappaqua, Andre and Al, both members of the 18 and under basketball team, Alan Goodman and Tina Landsberg, both of Briarcliff Manor

Howard Altarescu. Chairman of the Board, talking with Alistair Dunn of Chappaqua and Carol Young of Mt. Kisco

Chris, a member of the band, talking with Adele Schwartz, a native of the South Bronx, who will be providing College Application guidance to the Renaissance E.M.S. kids this coming Fall

Co-Executive Director Bervine Harris and Rachel Goodman Davis

Bervine, a member of the band and of the 14 and under basketball team talking with Helen Savio of Chappaqua

Our vocalists bring down the house

Randy and Chris

National Anthem at World Team Tennis Tournament featuring Venus Williams, July 17, 2007

2007-08-18T22:38:00.000-04:00

The Renaissance E.M.S. chorus led by Co-Executive Director Bervine Harris in a stunning rendition of the National Anthem

A spirited performance at intermission brought the crowd to its feet

Thanks to NY Sportimes for the opportunity to perform at Sportime Stadium in Mamaroneck, NY