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The premiere week of the new education / outreach program took off full-force on Monday, October 26 and never let down until these young professionals, alumni of The Perlman Music Program, headed back to NYC on Saturday, October 31. 

During this first visit, The LK String Quartet was in residence at four middle schools and three elementary schools.  A total of 10 schools will participate over the course of this three-week program thanks to collaborative efforts of the Sarasota and Manatee School Boards with great support of PMP/Suncoast Education Consultant, Cindy Balistreri and PMP/Suncoast board member, Barbara Staton. 

Special thanks if extended to Dr. Donald Shetler, Professor Emeritus of The Eastman School of Music in sharing his knowledge in this premiere year of the PMP/Suncoast education/outreach program by providing professional evaluation of the impact of performances and in-classroom activities.

This new program is presented with full support of Toby and Itzhak Perlman and PMP faculty, The Juilliard School, Columbia University, the Sarasota and Manatee School Boards, and The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Board of Directors.  It is sponsored in part by the Knight Fund of the Manatee County Foundation, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The impact so far?  The LK String Quartet's passion for music immediately inspired students at each and every school to treat them like "rock stars."