Kretzer Piano

The Boys and Girls Club of Riviera Beach has begun a musical education program called Keyboards for Kids, which gives underprivileged children an opportunity they may never have dreamed possible. The classes are highly motivational to encourage hard work and self-worth. This program is made possible by the generous donations from the Richard B. Turner Family and the initiative of Kretzer Piano.

The purpose of the program is to give piano lessons to many children in a group setting in a new piano Lab. The lab contains nine Yamaha digital pianos and is taught by a gifted and engaging teacher, Laurie McDonald. The classes are designed to guide each child through the mastery of musical concepts, self-discipline and coordination skills required to be successful as a musician at any level. Equally important, music is used as a vehicle to build relationships with these children in a way that could change their lives forever.

Research shows a strong correlation between music education and the developmental skills that children need to become successful in life. Children who take piano lessons learn discipline, dedication, patience, coordination, sensitivity and the rewards of hard work. Piano instruction has been proven to increase a child’s ability to learn basic math, science and reading. Studies show that drug and alcohol abuse and school dropout rates decrease for children participating in piano lessons. Additionally, they also are shown to score an average of 92 points higher on SAT tests. 

Keyboards for Kids program offers exciting piano instruction to eight students at a time, working on full–sized Yamaha Clavinovas. Students are able to work independently as the teacher coaches each one privately through headsets. Then as the class is ready to perform together, they do so with accompaniments and orchestrated sound tracks. Students experience a calm escape from the daily struggles which are common to many of these children. Each student leaves the class with a sense of accomplishment and pride in his/her own effort.

Kretzer Piano recently held a musical instrument drive, collecting over twenty pianos. These instruments were delivered free of charge by D. C. Moore Piano Movers to the homes of participating students so they can enjoy the benefit of daily practice. One can only imagine the scene when the piano movers arrive at the door with a beautiful new piano. Local television stations covered several of these emotional deliveries and the story made the morning and evening news. The student and parent are asked to sign an agreement that they will stay in the piano program. If they do not, the piano is then moved to another music student’s home.

The Boys and Girls Clubs serve ages 6-18 and most of the children who come to the club are African- American. They come from very low income families who often have little consistency in their lives. 29.7% of the families have household incomes at or below $11,999 and 65.9% have household incomes at or below $29,999 compared to the estimated U. S. average income of $66,670. It has been amazing to see the way these students and their parents have responded positively to the opportunity for the weekly classes.