Rex Lewis-Clack recording music at an AMB music workstation.
Rachel Flowers arranges a saxophone section using AMB adaptive technology.
In
Ray Charles' studio, Ray gives AMB student Connor Head an ear-training lesson. |
The
Academy of Music for
the Blind (AMB) is a non-profit organization (501C3) incorporated under
the laws of the State of California. AMB
is dedicated to providing music education to blind students and professionals
of all ages. We are are currently giving classes at various locations
in the greater Los Angeles area, and holding week-long Professional Workshops
throughout North America. We're looking forward to opening our doors
at our permanent facility in the Spring of 2006.
In the following paragraphs, David Pinto,
executive director of AMB,
discusses the
purpose and goals of the Academy:
There are hundreds of excellent music institutes that meet the needs of the non-disabled. AMB specifically addresses the educational, social, and physical needs of blind music students of all ages so that they can fully develop their unique talents and be prepared for integration into the workplace or other educational settings.
Four distinct but integrated curriculum levels will be provided: primary,
secondary, college, and working professional. The highly trained teaching
staff will be equipped to handle the special needs of blind and visually
impaired students, and state of the art computer work stations with the
latest in adaptive software and hardware will provide the tools necessary
for the students to keep up with their sighted peers.
Our vision is to not only be a ground breaking institute of education
for blind music students, but also to provide the example and educational
strategies that other schools of music can draw from in order to serve
the needs of their blind students.
The founding of AMB
was especially dear to Ray Charles' heart, whom I had the pleasure of
working with during the last 2 years of his life. Ray wanted his legacy
to include a thriving AMB
that would serve the needs of blind students and musicians everywhere.
Within the pages of this site you will find specific details on AMB's
curriculum, objectives, and strategies.
Sincerely,
David
Pinto
Executive Director, AMB