Dental News - Anti-smoking concert held

Russian American Dental Association

Thu. 2 June 2011

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NEW YORK, NY, USA: It was an exciting few weeks for the Russian American Dental Association (RADA) since the non-profit officially kicked off its annual Oral Cancer/Tobacco Cessation Project. Since 2008, the group has held free oral cancer screenings as well as a Kids 4 Kids Anti-Smoking Drawing Contest for children in kindergarten through eighth grade in New York City.

This year, the organization expanded its programs, setting up extra oral cancer screenings in Queens and New Jersey as well as a fundraising concert that was held on April 27. Piano students from YM Studio performed at Young Musicians for a Smoke Free Planet at Jazz in the Lincoln Center to a packed room of proud parents and other attendees.

Playing at Jazz is an honor, as it is a well-known performance space that features prominent jazz and blues musicians such as Eric Clapton, Herbie Hancock and Lynda Carter. The Edward John Noble Foundation Studio consisted of talented pianists in elementary, middle and high school that wanted to display their hard work while playing for a charitable cause. The goal of the event was to inform children of the dangers of cigarette use and encourage conversation between kids and their peers.

The concert was a fundraiser, with more than $1,000 in proceeds going toward RADA’s many initiatives that seek to prevent children from smoking and support dental wellness. RADA President Dr. Rada Sumareva spearheaded the event and was happy with the results. “RADA is glad to reach out to kids and families and make them aware of how to maintain their health,” she said.

Pieces from Beethoven, Mozart, Rachmaninoff and Bach were played, just to name a few. Throughout the afternoon, the room was filled with flawlessly executed tunes that portrayed a mix of moods, from upbeat to sad and everything in between. There were different levels of expertise; with the younger kids playing shorter compositions and the middle and high school aged musicians performing longer and more complicated pieces.

It was clear that all the students, no matter what their level of proficiency, had worked hard and diligently studied their craft in order to perform pieces by some of the greatest composers of all time. Even though the audience was filled with a large amount of young children, everyone sat quietly and listened attentively throughout the show. Each pianist received enthusiastic applause and accolades.

In addition to hearing some fantastic music, the audience received last year’s Kids 4 Kids Anti-Smoking Drawing Contest booklet, which included artwork from the 2010 winners. One student, Anushka Pillay, showed the crowd her drawing for this year’s contest before performing her number.

Yelena Masotti, who owns YM Studios and teaches all of the students, was very pleased with the event. “It went quite well. Kids enjoy playing for a good cause,” she said. “The practice of and love for music can bring good to the planet.” Her students have played for Kids Against Cancer and participate in numerous competitions, but this was the first time they had collaborated with RADA.

Masotti has been giving lessons to children in the New York area for 25 years and teaches music history and musical theater. Although many of the songs performed were classical, the teacher said she “bases the music [the kids learn] on their personality.” Her goal, as an instructor, is “to try and help the kids be well-rounded.”

The event ended with an awards ceremony, and Masotti along with all of the performers, were given flowers and a certificate of achievement for their efforts. RADA set out to show the kids that they were special and wanted to award them for helping to make a difference in their community. They hope to have similar shows in the future to improve upon their already highly successful Oral Cancer/Tobacco Cessation Project.

The day before the concert on the other side of the river in New Jersey, Dr. Gwen Brown led the free screenings, where she performed tests for HPV, oral cancer and the full-range of oral pathology services for 35 patients. She worked through the day until nightfall, filling out medical records.

Brown gave her greatest efforts, just as the kids who played; the parents and families who came out and showed their support; Masotti, who trained the talented pianists; and RADA President Sumareva and the rest of her staff, who continue to make a wonderful contribution to the community.

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