(PATERSON, NJ) -- The award-winning Paterson Music Project (PMP), a program of the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, has launched a new partnership with the John P. Holland Charter School to serve 230 students with specialized music instruction. Through this new music initiative, PMP teaching artists will provide general music classes to 172 students in grades 1 and 2 once a week during the school day and after school instruction in violin, cello, clarinet, and saxophone to 64 students in grades 3-8 three times a week.

"Having a music program in our school will help build both confidence and creativity in our students. The Paterson Music Project can help them realize their unlimited potential," said Dr. Heru Keonte, John P. Holland Charter School Principal.

Said Paterson Music Project Director Elizabeth Moulthrop, "We are thrilled to announce the new partnership between the Paterson Music Project and John P. Holland Charter School. This is an opportunity for more students from Paterson to have access to high quality musical training and extracurricular activities. The students are so excited to get started on their instruments. They were beaming with joy and anticipation on the first day of class as they tried out different instruments and chose the one they wanted to study for the year."

The Paterson Music Project (PMP) is a program of the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts that empowers children to achieve their full potential through the joyful pursuit of musical excellence. Inspired by the global El Sistema movement, PMP uses music education as a vehicle for social change in its home city of Paterson.

PMP provides tuition-free musical training to students throughout Paterson after school and on weekends. Students study a primary instrument and participate in ensemble practice, instrumental sectionals, and private lessons three times a week. Students perform frequently for the community.

PMP launched its first site at the Community Charter School (CCSP) of Paterson in January 2013 with 32 second graders and has since added a new class of students each year. Currently PMP hosts a central music site at Paterson School 16 and students from over 15 public schools study music after school and on weekends at this central site. Most recently, PMP has partnered with John P. Holland Charter School and serves over 350 students in grades 1-12 citywide.

The Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts is New Jersey’s largest non-profit performing arts education organization serving over 1,500 students of all ages and abilities through a range of classes and ensembles including the 15 ensembles of the New Jersey Youth Symphony which serve 500 students in grades 3 - 12. Beginning with Pathways classes for the very young, the Performing Arts School offers 500 private lessons and group classes each week, ensuring there is something for everyone.