She works "tirelessly to support music and dance education for the youth of New Haven"

Luncheon to honor city educator and benefit a new scholarship

Dr. Regina M. Lilly-Warner of New Haven Public Schools, shown at right, will be honored at a luncheon at noon on Oct. 4 at Laurel View Country Club in Hamden

The event honoring Lilly-Warner, supervisor of Music, Library Media Services, and the Advanced Placement Program for the New Haven Public Schools, will benefit NHPS students through the new Dr. Regina M. Lilly-Warner Scholarship Fund at Neighborhood Music School.

Keith Kountz, anchor for WTNH News Channel 8 is master of ceremonies for the event and performers will include renowned NHPS musicians/teachers Harriet Alfred and Danielle Steele and Jonathan Berryman, NHPS and NMS faculty member William Fluker, and several NHPS students who are studying at NMS. The public is invited to attend, and tickets can be purchased by calling Neighborhood Music School at (203) 624-5189 ex. 24 or at http://www.nmsmusicschool.org/.

Dr. Patricia F. Brett, chairwoman of the luncheon, noted, "Dr. Warner has done so much to promote the value of music education within our community over the years. We are delighted to honor her request that this special event be dedicated to scholarships for New Haven Public School students at Neighborhood Music School."

The establishment of the Dr. Regina M. Lilly-Warner Scholarship Fund will make possible financial assistance for NHPS students who wish to participate in music lessons through Neighborhood Music School, but might not be able to do so otherwise.

Larry Zukof, executive director, noted, Warner "has worked tirelessly to support music and dance education for the youth of New Haven and we are all fortunate that she has aligned herself closely with NMS and other arts organizations to bring cultural resources to the NHPS community."

Lilly-Warner is a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and earned a bachelor of science degree in Music Education at Fisk University, where she graduated with honors and received a Fisk University Jubilee Singers Key. She earned a master of science degree in Guidance at the University of Bridgeport and was awarded a sixth-year diploma in Administration and Supervision from Southern Connecticut State University. In 1996, she received her doctor of education degree in Educational Administration from Columbia University’s Teachers College. She was principal of Cooperative Arts & Humanities Interdistrict Magnet High School from 1995 to 2000 when she assumed her current position. Lilly-Warner also has been the recipient of numerous awards for her work in the community and with youth in the Greater New Haven area, including the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Award, the Elm and Ivy Award, and the Patrick Daley Award of the Yale Child Study Center.

Neighborhood Music School, established in 1911, is one of the 10largest community resource centers for music and dance dedicated to providing the highest quality instruction to all, regardless of talent or ability to pay. Its 130 professional teachers provide private and ensemble instruction to 3,000 students in a year-round setting. NMS students come from all walks of life and range in age from 6 months to 80+ years. Music instruction includes classical and jazz repertoire, ethnic and folk instruments, over 100 coached ensembles, as well as numerous classes in theory, composition, and appreciation. In addition, NMS offers a broad range of dance classes, including modern, ballet, and hip-hop, along with an extensive early childhood arts program.

NMS awards over $220,000 in financial assistance and scholarships to some 350 students annually. This includes over 100 New Haven Public School students. NMS is particularly proud of its Instrumental Impact Outreach Program to several New Haven Public Schools that features a tuition-free private instruction program for band and string students specially selected by their music teacher and principal.

Photo courtesy of Harold Shapiro