LYNN — Building Bridges Through Music isn’t one of the larger after-school programs in the city, but it most definitely is making a huge difference in the lives of children and parents.
Run by the mother-daughter team of Virginia Makkers (executive director) and Doreen Murray (artistic programs director), the nonprofit’s mission is to bring together diverse communities for the purpose of increasing cultural awareness and racial harmony by using music, dance and dramatic presentation as a multicultural educational tool.
“We focus on alternative opportunities for kids that are not centered around sports,” said Murray. “We are not large. We get a lot of referrals, from the school department, (Department of Children and Families). … We don’t have many for-pay families. Some families live in shelters. Many are disadvantaged. We are a baby in the nonprofit sector and we and our grant writer, Dawn Duncan of Lynn, work hard to raise money, so we can make a difference in the lives of kids, parents and families.”
On Saturday, Building Bridges Through Music hosts its 15th annual Gospel Jazz Brunch, its signature fundraising event. It will be held in the Gannon Municipal Golf Course clubhouse from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live jazz will be presented by Anthony Grant & Friends, and past and present students will perform as well. The BBTMusic A-Sharp student band from the Groove School after-school program, which earned high praise at the recent Climate Action for Peace — United Nations International Day of Peace in Boston, will also entertain.
A brunch buffet will be prepared by Diamond Caterers, and several scholarship awards will be given to students who exemplify the meaning of community service and leadership. District Court Judge Ina Hogan, a Lynn native, will be honored for her work with families and youth. And there will be an auction and raffles.
Murray said the organization’s programs are accessible to children and adults at all socio-economic levels, primarily underserved children and youth considered to be at risk.
Murray and Makkers are relaxing in the cramped office of their new BBTM home at 93 Euclid Ave., a renovated space adjoining the Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church. They were invited to use the space by pastor Tony Bennett. Quite appropriate for a program that focuses so much on music, don’t you think?
Both have a long history of involvement with music. Makkers served as a music instructor and co-musical chorus director, with her daughter, at KIPP Academy and the Ford Community School. She is an accomplished classical and gospel pianist, and has served as minister of music at Zion Baptist Church. Her professional musical experience spans six decades.
Murray, with affection, said her mom was a music prodigy.
Murray acts as choir director for Follow Hymn Community Choir, vocal coach and an instructor of traditional West African dance at Building Bridges. She is a gospel choir workshop presenter, professional soloist, performing artist and playwright. She directs and provides vocal support for the choir for Zion Baptist Church, and has an extensive background working with at-risk children, youth and families as a former social worker, independent court investigator and family advocate.
Music and church were paramount in the Makkers household. “Every Saturday, when we were kids, my brother, George, and I had to do a half-hour of cultural music listening. One week it was Appalachian music from the ’50s and ’60s, the next it was Hawaiian music or Middle Eastern music. ‘Who else listens to this kind of music? No one!,’ we’d say. And, of course, we heard music in church every Sunday,” said Murray. “We were lucky, lucky children.”
“Music is integrated into everything we do,” said Murray. “Long before STEM was an acronym, we were STREAMing (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Music/Math).”
Murray plays music while the kids do their homework. “Music is a stress buster. I often turn on YouTube, no video just music, of children’s Broadway musicals. The kids sing along to ‘Frozen,’ but they still do their homework. Same with ‘The Lion King’; they sing along.”
On Fun Fridays, kids enjoy a special treat. Corn dogs or ice cream or pizza.
The organization has four paid staffers, and music teachers Kevin Cobb, a Berklee College of Music grad, and Colby Sherwin, a Salem State grad.
The women both said Building Bridges Through Music has received wonderful support from the city and the business community. Old Neighborhood Foods, Traditional Bread, Greater Lynn Senior Services, EDIC, Solimine Funeral Homes, Goodrich Funeral Home and Old Tyme Italian Cuisine are among the sponsors. North Shore Music Theatre, Burtons Grill, Green Tea Restaurant are among those who made raffle donations.
“And I must thank Voyiagis Tuxedo of Lynn, which gave an unexpected in-kind donation of tuxedos for our five young men who play in the band. They have been valued supporters of ours for many years,” said Murray. “Some of our students’ parents can’t afford a suit or suit jacket for their kids, so on special occasions like this, Voyiagis has always come through for us.”
Makkers said a number of former students, some who started at age 4 and stayed in the program throughout their schooldays, have kept in touch and return as alumni volunteers to help this generation of students.
Tickets, $50, at https://www.bbtmusic.org/gospeljazz. For more information, go to www.bbtmusic.org.
