The Finest! Performance
Foundation, Inc. Presents:
Did you know...
Did you know…
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“A UCLA study concluded that students involved in the arts tend to have higher
academic performance and better standardized test scores -- nearly 100 points
better on the SAT”
“Students taking courses in music performance and music appreciation scored
higher in the SAT than students with no arts participation. Music performance
students scored 53 points higher on the verbal and 39 points higher on the
math. Music appreciation students scored 61 points higher on the verbal and 42
points higher on the math.”
“Students who learned about melodies and rhythm in music scored an average
of 16 percent higher on reading performance tests.”
“Studying theater can be a great starting point for careers such as teaching,
law, and politics, not to mention broadcasting and performing. And the ability to
speak confidently in front of a group is a boon for any career.”
"If they're worried about their test scores and want a way to get them higher,
they need to give kids more arts, not less," says Tom Horne, Arizona's state
superintendent of public instruction. "There's lots of evidence that kids
immersed in the arts do better on their academic tests."
"When you think about the purposes of education, there are three," Horne says.
"We're preparing kids for jobs. We're preparing them to be citizens. And we're
teaching them to be human beings who can enjoy the deeper forms of beauty.
The third is as important as the other two."
Did you know…
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According to Americans for the Arts, “young artists, when compared to
their peers, perform community service and participate in youth groups
more than four times as often. Children engaged in arts activities an
average of nine hours a week are also less likely to engage in
delinquent or truant behavior.”
According to the Children's Music Workshop, “brain studies show the
development of more extensive neural connections in musicians than in
those that do not receive a music education, and there is a relationship
between the study of music and improvement in math and in spatialtemporal relationships.”
“In a letter to state and local superintendents, Secretary of Education
Rod Paige said that cutting arts is ‘disturbing and just plain wrong.’ "
“The U.S. Department of Education recommends the arts to collegebound middle and junior high school students asserting, ‘Many colleges
view participation in the arts and music as valuable experience that
broadens students’ understanding and appreciation of the world
around them.’ ”
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"The arts are one of the six subject areas in which the College Board
recognizes as essential in order to thrive in college.”
“The arts produce jobs, generating an estimated $37 billion with a
return of $3.4 billion in federal income taxes.”
“Lewis Thomas, physician and biologist, found that music majors
comprise the highest percentage of accepted medical students at
66%.”
“Research made between music and intelligence concluded that music
training is far greater than computer instruction in improving children’s
abstract reasoning skills.”
“Researchers in Leipzig discovered through the use of brain scans that
musicians had larger planum temporale, the region of the brain
associated with reading skills. Also, musicians had a thicker corpus
callosum, the nerve fibers that connect the two halves of the brain.”
According to Robert E. Allen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
AT&T Corporation, “A grounding in the arts will help our children to
see; to bring a uniquely human perspective to science and technology.
In short, it will help them as they grow smarter to also grow wiser.”
Did you know…
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According to Richard W. Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education, “…arts education in
music, theater, dance and the visual arts is one of the most creative ways we
have to find the gold that is buried just beneath the surface. They (children)
have an enthusiasm for life, a spark of creativity, and vivid imaginations that
need training...training that prepares them to become confident young men and
women…The creativity of the arts and the joy of music should be central to the
education of every American child.”
“Music is Beating Computers at Enhancing Early Childhood Development. Music
training, specifically piano instruction, is far superior to computer instruction in
dramatically enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills necessary for learning
math and science. Learning music at an early age causes long-term
enhancement of spatial-temporal reasoning.” (Source: Frances Rauscher, Ph.D.,
Gordon Shaw, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, 1997)
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“Music Enhances Linguistic Skills. Music -- specifically song -- is one of the best
training grounds for babies learning to recognize the tones that add up to
spoken language.” (Source Sandra Trehubn, University of Toronto, 1997)
“Music Is One of Our Greatest Economic Exports. The arts are an economic plus
-- second only to aerospace as our most lucrative national export."
“Teacher Expertise in Music is a Critical Factor in Student Learning. Research
indicates that teachers of all subjects -- including music -- who are more
experienced and educated are more effective in the classroom. Consequently,
students learn more from them.”
Our Artistic Director Extraordinaire:
Kashi-Tara
Training
•Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from
Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA
•Concentration: Journalism and Broadcasting
•Attended The New School of Performing Arts in New
York, NY
•Concentration: Acting
•Artistic Director of The Finest! Youth
Performance Troupe (1989-present)
•Over 22 years of experience in DC
Metro area performing arts
Our Artistic Director Extraordinaire:
Kashi-Tara
Relevant Experience
Role
Location/Affiliate
Kazaam
Actor
Walt Disney Films
Space Jams
Soundtrack/Singer
Atlantic Records
Background Singer/Salt N Pepa
NBC
1 Woman Show
Actor
Arena Stage, DC
Ma Raineys Black Bottom
Dussy Mae
Arena Stage, DC
Living Stage
Resident Company
Arena Stage/Outreach
Secrets
Actor
Kaiser Perm./Outreach
Lillith Fair
Singer
VA, TN, NC
Atlantic Records (Group Name: KEI)
Singer
Atlantic Records
A Change Gon’ Come
Writer/Director/Choreographer
Community Theatre
The Café
Writer/Director/Choreographer
Community Theatre
Film:
Television:
David Letterman Show
Theatre:
Singer:
Writer:
Brief history and mission of the
organization
Our Mission
The Finest! Performance Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to the positive character and talent development of
youth, their families, and the community at large. We take pride in our work and strive for the highest
levels of integrity and professionalism. We value accountability and a commitment to serve the artistic
needs of our youth and families through the mediums of arts and humanities. We support and encourage
creativity and innovation in both performance and study. We hold cultural awareness, respect, and
appreciation in highest regard.
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Our History
Founded in 1989, The Finest! is one of the few performing arts programs in Montgomery County, Maryland
focused on empowering the low-to-moderate income community through theatrical performances, music
and dance. The Finest! was founded by residents of Rockville, Maryland as an after-school program based
on the needs of the local community for a program which would provide a creative outlet for the youth.
Initially, The Finest! focused on:
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Empowering youth with knowledge of self through music and
dance
Educating youth and keeping them out of the streets
Assisting families by instilling moral values in our youth and
building confidence through creative expression
With a limited budget funded primarily through the City of Rockville and annual membership dues paid by
members of the organization, The Finest’s! efforts were addressed exclusively by volunteers. This allowed
parents to become active in the organization and thus, reinforce at home the lessons learned from our
programs. While there are other non-profit organizations in the area, no other organization in Montgomery
County, Maryland focuses on empowerment of the low-to-moderate income area families through dance
and theatrical performances. Therefore, The Finest! satisfies a great need in the local community.
Detailed description of the program
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Present Activities
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The Finest! Performance Foundation, Inc. is an organization of performing arts programs consisting of both
adults and children from the local community. Various groups within the organization perform theatrical
dances and step routines throughout the year. There are currently four main programs:
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Parade Marching Wildcats!
 An award-winning explosion of exciting drums, pompoms, flags, banners, steppers, and dancers.
Selected participants for each squad are placed into units based on talent level, age and experience.
Drum squad instruments are assigned based on rhythmic abilities. This program operates March
through November every year.
I.M.P.A.C.T.!
 Inspiring, Mentoring, Positive, Activists, Called Teens! Consists of middle and high school age teens
who explore and tackle real world issues in a theatrical setting; fostering thought-provoking audience
discussion while building resiliency skills. Performances and presentations are audience interactive
and tailored to any age group. Students are taught theatrical, leadership and facilitation skills. Issues
such as identifying and channeling emotions, conflict resolution and anger management are
addressed. Performances occur throughout the year.
Discovery Kidz!
 This program engages energetic youth ages 7 to 12 who dance and act; discovering hidden gifts and
bringing them to the stage. Particular emphasis is placed on building self-confidence and self-esteem,
along with working on presentation skills and dramatic interpretation. This program is conducted
throughout Montgomery County, Maryland during the school year (September – June), and during
summer camp times.
The “Finest! Theatrical Performance” Program
 Theatrical performances are written (in some cases), choreographed, directed and produced by the
Artistic Director and adult volunteers. Both adults and children audition for roles and are selected
based on talent, experience and skill-set. Performances are of both scripted and non-scripted works;
and are generally presented in Rockville, Maryland and in other venues in or around the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area. Performances occur throughout the year.
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Key affiliates
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Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc. (CASE)
VisArts of Rockville
Elk's Lodges of Maryland
City of Rockville
Maryland National Park and Planning Commission
Montgomery County Collaboration Council
Sister City Corporation
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Additional Details
o How the local community will benefit from the program
o Our community has benefitted from The Finest! programs for 23 years by
giving hundreds of children a creative & artistic way to express themselves,
develop communication skills, teamwork, a disciplined work ethic and a
positive self image. It is evident that those who lack proper decision making
tools early in life frequently face more difficult circumstances. Due to public
education funding cutbacks for the arts results in increasing the challenges
teens face and reduce their opportunities to develop into well-rounded and
productive adults.
o Methodology for measuring and evaluating program success
o Evaluation of the program is usually done through four primary methods:
o 1) Surveys and evaluations taken on-line or written in-person at performances
before and/or after the program
o 2) Retention & referrals from participants
o 3) Ticket sales/Number of requests for performances
o 4) Educational milestones reached (i.e. graduation rates, report cards, progress
reports, etc.)
o Description of promotional plans for the program or event
We will promote our events through mailings, announcements at
performances, disbursement of fliers at schools, word of mouth and online
through the following websites:
 www.indiegogo.com/touch-hearts-through-theatre-arts
 www.fracturedatlas.org/donate/4781
 www.Facebook.com/thefinestperformance
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Works cited
http://www.education.com/magazine/article
/What_Drama_Education_Can_Teach/
http://www.ehow.com/list_7365360_statistic
s-importance-art-musicprograms.html#ixzz1meWhKVz6
http://www.edutopia.org/arts-musiccurriculum-child-development
http://www.livestrong.com/article/169614how-do-fine-arts-help-children/
http://www2.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initi
ative/updates/040826.html
http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/ad
vocacy/factsandstatistics.html