Charyn Harris selected by Council Member Jan Perry to Receive Pioneer Women Award
Los Angeles, CA - March 17, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COUNCIL MEMBER JAN PERRY SELECTS CHARYN HARRIS TO RECEIVE
THE PIONEER WOMEN AWARD AS THE HONOREE FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT # 9
March 17, 2010 � LOS ANGELES, CA � The City of Los Angeles together with Los Angeles City�s Commission on the Status of Women will honor 15 women on Friday, March 26th at Council Chambers in City Hall for their significant contributions toward improving the status of women in Los Angeles. Council Member Jan Perry selected Charyn Harris for her noticeable accomplishments in Los Angeles City's 9th Council District.
As a leading advocate and educator in the field of music, Ms. Harris has been noted for creating outstanding educational programming and opportunities for youth and serves as Conductor of Music Programs for the youth organization, A Place Called Home (APCH), which is located in the 9th Council District. An alumna of Berklee College of Music, Ms. Harris played a key role in establishing a vital partnership within Los Angeles at APCH with the Berklee City Music Network. The network is a national initiative providing inner city youth with access to music education and scholarship opportunities to attend the prestigious institution which is located in Boston, MA. Ms. Harris states, �The need for music education is critical, especially in under-served areas. These kids are just as bright as any and given the opportunity and guidance, have the potential to achieve far and beyond what is usually expected of them.� Ms. Harris has thus far facilitated scholarships for 15 South Los Angeles to attend the summer program while 2 of these students have also received full scholarships to attend Berklee.
In 2004, Ms. Harris founded the nonprofit organization, Project MuszEd. Since its inception, Project MuszEd has touched hundreds and youth and families throughout Los Angeles by providing free and low cost music instruction, instruments, cultural resources, scholarships and performance opportunities for financially under-served youth. Project MuszEd's highly acclaimed CASM program ensures that youth in need are able to continue involvement in music regardless of lack of financial resources. The mission of the program is to provide access to music education resources that cultivate personal and academic achievement regardless of socio-economic status.
About the Pioneer Women Awards
The Pioneer Women Awards were created in 1988 to recognize the accomplishments of women in the City of Los Angeles and is initiated by the Los Angeles City Council in conjunction with the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women. The award is presented annually to one woman from each of the city's 15 council districts. The award presentation is the hallmark of the city�s observance of National Women�s History Month which occurs in March.
