The mainstays of the Musical Arts Institute taste the Grammys

GOSHEN — Two members of the Board of Directors of the Musical Arts Institute played a role in last Sunday’s Grammy wins.

Sound engineer Leslie Ann Jones won Best Classical Album Crafted for his work with the Kronos Quartet on their release, ‘Terry Riley: Sun Rings’, while artist management professional Emily Lichter is co-manager of the band I’m with Her, which won the Grammy for Best American Roots Song. She is also the manager of band member Sarah Jarosz.

This success is nothing new for members of the institute – Jones’ win marks her fifth Grammy award, and she is also director of music recording and music at Skywalker Sound, the sound editing and recording division. musical recording from Lucasfilm. In addition to Jarosz, Lichter also manages bands such as Lake Street Dive and Northampton’s And the Kids, the latter of whom met at one of the Institute’s rock ‘n’ roll summer camps.

June Millington, artistic director and co-founder of the institute, called the recognitions “a new affirmation of what we do and what we plan to do in the future”.

The institute, which was founded to support women and girls in the music industry, offers participants the opportunity to hone their craft under the guidance of professional musicians at its summer camps, and participants perform during a free concert at the end of the programme. Millington herself was the co-founder and lead guitarist of Fanny, one of the first all-female rock bands to sign with a major record label.

“I call this place the Magic Kingdom, because when the girls come to our rock ‘n’ roll camps in the summer, it’s really a safe place for them,” Millington said. “They know it’s the Magic Kingdom, and they know it’s theirs.”

Millington said she hopes those who attend the summer camps will look to the board members as inspiration for their own musical accomplishments.

“Of course, when you have someone in front of you who is reaching a pinnacle of success in their field, it can only inspire you,” she said.

Jacquelyn Voghel can be reached at jvoghel@gazettenet.com.