LAST LOOK THE MASTERCLASS SOUNDS Academy students recently participated in a special masterclass with internationally renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine. The opportunity came after SOUNDS Academy founder & CEO Kirk Johnson met Pine at the Sphinx Connect Conference, an event dedicated to diversifying the stages of classical music throughout the country. Johnson had traveled to the conference as part of his 2022 Piper Fellowship and was delighted to meet Pine, who wrote a book called “Music by Black Composers” that several SOUNDS students play out of. Students were awestruck receiving personalized feedback from Pine, who “The Washington Post” calls “an exciting, boundary-defying performer.” The room was electric when Pine exclaimed, “You nailed it!” “I know that for them, being able to say, “‘When I was 12, I performed for Rachel Barton Pine’” will be a big deal and motivator for them for years to come,” Johnson said. To learn more, visit soundsacademy.org . 80 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE Photo courtesy of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust/Sharon Price

Jeri Royce President & CEO, Advance Community Melody Lewis Owner & Founder, Indigenous Community Collaborative Naquana Borrero, CFRE Director of Development and Communications, Jazz in Arizona/The Nash & Owner, Bella Vita Consulting Group Congratulations to the 2023 ATHENA Award Recipients! ATHENAs demonstrate inspiring leadership within their industry, mentor women throughout their career, and dedicate themselves to the community . Thank you to all ATHENA nominees, fi nalists, and to our recipients for your dedication to the Valley!