National Guardian Life joins statewide effort to raise visibility of the arts

­ National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) provides a $50,000 commitment to the Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) Young Performers Initiative.

­National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), located in Madison, Wisconsin, is providing a $50,000 commitment to the Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) Young Performers Initiative.

"The Young Performers Initiative creates a curriculum for all types of music – from orchestra and band to individual instrument lessons and choir. This initiative gives all teachers access to top-notch lesson plans for all students at any school in Wisconsin. With so many schools facing budgetary challenges, this unique program provides musical opportunity for students who might not otherwise have it," said Mark Solverud, President and CEO at NGL. 

Led by Public Broadcasting in Wisconsin, in partnership with the Wisconsin School of Music Association, this initiative raises the visibility of the arts and distributes cost-free standards-based educational content for Wisconsin arts educators and their students. The web resource, WisconsinPerformers.org, contains performance videos and standards-based curriculum materials to support K-12 teachers in music, choir, band, and orchestra classes.

Left to right: Jordan Siegler, Corporate & Community Development Representative WPT; Elizabeth Kirchstein, Corporate Giving Administrator, NGL; Jon Miskowski, Director of Television WPT; Megan Aley, Project Manager, Young Performers Initiative.

"Five years ago WPT launched a project to bring the talents of young performers to WPT audiences across our state. Building on that work and expanding our commitment to serving Wisconsin schools, this year WPT, in partnership with the Wisconsin School Music Association, launched a new curriculum tool for Wisconsin's music teachers – wisconsinperforms.org. National Guardian Life Insurance Company's gift is a critical investment in providing new and free resources to all of Wisconsin's arts educators," said Jon Miskowski, Director of Television at WPT.

NGL's donation will support the Young Performers Initiative through video production, content creation, website promotion and content innovation. Both students and their music educators will benefit from these high-quality educational resources.

Elizabeth Kirchstein, Corporate Giving Administrator at NGL shared her thoughts on why music education is important, "Music has the potential to impact and inspire young minds. When I was a child, I played the bassoon, clarinet and then the piano. Every time I learned a new song, I felt so proud because I achieved something. Learning an instrument helped shape me as a student and a person. Through the Young Performers Initiative, today's youth have an opportunity to learn about music, build self-esteem and feel like they are a part of something bigger."

NGL is proud to support many local nonprofit organizations. Caring for the community in which we live and work is an important part of our business.

About Wisconsin Public Television

Using the broad reach and accessibility of television and now the web to inform and inspire audiences, Wisconsin Public Television's (WPT) mission is to enrich, educate and entertain diverse audiences of children and adults through inventive use of television production and broadcast, other communication technologies and community engagement. For additional information on WPT, go to: wpt.org.

Wisconsin Public Television's Young Performers Initiative is a statewide effort to raise visibility of the arts, celebrate the creative achievements of Wisconsin youth, curate and distribute cost-free standards-based educational content for Wisconsin arts educators and their students. Learn more at: WisconsinPerforms.org.

About NGL

Since 1910, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) has been a mutual insurance company located in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group market products through independent agents. Additional information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company/

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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