Sigma Alpha Iota

SAI Philanthropies, INc A Person-to-Person With People-to-People T he Director of the People-to-People Project (P2P) of SAI Philanthropies, Inc. is Dr. Liana Valente. She was appointed as the fifth Director of the project in 2009 and has assisted SAI Philanthropies, Inc. with sending material assistance to those in need across the world. Heather Davis, editor of PAN PIPES, sat down with Dr. Valente and asked about her personal experiences with the People-to-People Project. PAN PIPES (PP): You're Director of the People-to-People project. Can you describe to our readers, in your own words, what your job entails? Dr. Valente (P2P): Being the director of the People-to-People Project is one of the most fulfilling jobs I have ever held. The opportunity to work with our chapters throughout the country to assist our colleagues across the globe is one that I cherish. We are able to make a real difference in the lives of musicians by sharing our love of music and our belief that music is the universal language. As director, I get to work with international logistics companies, CEOs of non-profit organizations and other leaders in the for-profit music community, as well as teachers, students, and heads of orchestras in such diverse places as Nigeria, India, Zambia, Missouri, and Ecuador. PP: What types of assistance does People-to-People give to those in need? P2P: The SAI People-to-People project offers material assistance to our colleagues in underdeveloped and developing parts of the world and in areas of the United States that are in need. This assistance takes the form of instruments, money, music scores, and accessories like music stands, valve oil and rosin. PP: Can you give us an example of people you've helped, and how? P2P: I'd be delighted to! For the past two years, the People-to-People Project has been assisting the musicians of Sinfonia por la Vida in Ecuador. The international director is National Arts Associate Dr. Albert Hunt. Dr. Hunt lives in Virginia and is able to receive donations at his home. He then arranges for all of the instruments to be taken over to Ecuador for the students in the training orchestras for Sinfonia People-to-People Director Dr. Liana Valente with instruments donated at the 2012 National Convention in Atlanta. por la Vida. The students who receive these instruments go on to become the teachers in these training orchestras. Without the generous assistance of the People-to-People Project, hundreds of people would be without instruments and unable to make a better life for themselves. PP: How can our readers help the People-to-People project? P2P: If individuals or chapters are interested in the People-to-People Project, the first step would be to contact me at Liana@omegatower. com. We can then discuss the current needs of the project, and what they can do. If anyone has materials they would like to donate to the People-to-People project, contact me to find out if your donation can be placed with musicians and teachers in need. If you know of an organization or school that needs assistance with building or rebuilding their program, please pass their contact information on to me. The People-to-People Project can then contact them personally to determine what their needs are. For more information about SAI Philanthropies, Inc. and the People-to-People Project, please visit our website at sainational.org. Dr. Valente holds academic degrees from SUNY College at Fredonia (Bachelor's of Music, Vocal Performance), the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Master's of Music, Vocal Performance), and the University of South Carolina, Columbia (Doctorate of Musical Arts, Vocal Performance). She has recently been appointed to serve on the Fund for the Advancement of Musical Arts (FAMA) Board for a 6-year term and appointed to the Southeast Regional Chair of Music in Schools in Colleges. She is an avid educator and performer and frequently is invited as a guest speaker and performer at music conventions and lecture recitals. sai-national.org SUMMER 2013 PAN PIPES 7

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