A Toronto-area family business has pledged a generous donation to support Jazz 4 Kids, the monthly educational concert series run by JAZZ.FM91.
The holding company of Joseph Kreiner Real Estate Limited of Richmond Hill, Ont., is donating $30,000 to help fund the program, which has been running since 2007.
The brokerage was founded by the late Joseph Kreiner in 1961, and the business continues under the leadership of Heidi Kreiner-Ley, one of three daughters of Joseph and Ria Kreiner.
“Joseph would be happy and grateful that he can share what Canada provided his family: the opportunity for a good life and the wonderful results of the hard work that was always who he was,” said Heidi Kreiner-Ley, president of the brokerage. “I know our dear mother Ria is very proud of her husband Joe and the beautiful family and life he provided, and she is happy to pay it forward to the kids at JAZZ.FM91, for the love of music.”
Taking place in the Long & McQuade Performance Hall at JAZZ.FM91, Jazz 4 Kids provides a unique, fun-filled cultural experience for elementary- and middle-school students in the Greater Toronto Area.
Children enjoy interactive concerts by outstanding professional musicians from a range of cultural backgrounds who encourage and inspire creativity through music and foster an appreciation for musical arts. Each year almost 1,000 kids come through our doors to experience live music and learn about the magic of radio. That’s more than 10,000 young people engaging in live music education since Jazz 4 Kids started in 2007.
“It’s a program we’re really, really excited about and proud of, but also one that always needs resources,” said music director and on-air host Brad Barker. “That’s why we celebrate [this] support of the Jazz 4 Kids program.”
Originally from Austria, Joseph and Ria Kreiner got married shortly after immigrating to Canada in the early 1950s. They had three daughters — Evelyn, Heidi and Lisa — and Joseph worked several jobs as a butcher to make ends meet. But then he found his niche in real estate, earning salesman of the month after just the first month working in his first sales job, before founding his own brokerage in 1961. Heidi joined the company at age 19, and they worked together for 42 years, managing the family investments and the development of many properties in the York region and outlying areas.
Joseph and Ria celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in November, 2017. Sadly, Joseph passed away in March, 2019.
“With his and Ria’s spirit of giving and love of children, we are proud to provide this donation of $30,000 for the Jazz 4 Kids program,” said Heidi Kreiner-Ley.
Evelyn Kreiner added that she personally supports JAZZ.FM91 because of the non-profit radio station’s dedication to supporting the local music community.
“For quite a long time, my husband Paul and I would go to live jazz concerts all over the city. When he was not able to continue, I missed being at events, so I started coming down to JAZZ.FM91 … and I felt that I had found a place where I could continue to enjoy live music,” she said. “The big thing is all the community work that JAZZ.FM91 does for local artists. I know artists need all the support that they can get.”
The Jazz 4 Kids teaching artists are all award-winning performers and composers, as well as experienced educators. With a breadth of knowledge and skills in presenting material about music and culture to children, these artists present engaging workshops that feature performance, demonstration, interaction and audience participation.
Following the workshop, students receive a tour of the radio station, including the recordings library, programming department, production studios and broadcast technology room. Students learn about a variety of concepts including journalism, communication, broadcasting, technology, radio history and careers related to music and radio. Participants have a chance to meet radio personalities and learn about the skills required to host a radio show.
For more information and testimonials on the Jazz 4 Kids program, go to jazz.fm/jazz4kids.