In an emergency meeting held at Congregation Ezrath Israel on Sunday evening, Anastasia Solberg, director of the Music Institute of Sullivan and Ulster County (MISU), announced to a roomful of fifteen supporters that the school is in danger of closing its doors.

"I do not want to close the school because there is a need for it here," said Solberg of the school.

"The fact is that I teach and do not get paid for the teaching I do. I cannot afford to do this. I cannot live on air anymore," continued Solberg.

MISU, a 501c(3) not-for-profit music school, is located in Ulster Heights. Solberg, a violinist and teacher, formed the music school as a way of offering musical instruction in violin, viola, cello, piano, voice, and orchestral playing experiences to students of all ages and abilities.

The school has had upwards of 150 students pass through its doors since it was formed six years ago.

The High Strung Chamber Orchestra, an extension of the school also founded by Solberg, allows students to play with other musicians in an orchestral setting. The High Strung Orchestra has given free and open-to-the-public performances at St. John's Church on Market Street in Ellenville, and has also performed at other venues throughout the region. Members of the group have also donated their time to give performances at benefits for not-for-profit groups in the community.

MISU is the only school of its type in the area. Currently there is no musical instruction in stringed instruments available to students at any of the local public elementary or high schools. MISU is accepting registration for summer sessions until the end of June.

At the informal meeting Solberg expressed her frustration about the lack of support she has received from a functioning board of directors at the school. "I simply cannot do this alone any longer," Solberg continued to say.

Solberg has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy in continuing to operate the school with a limited amount of funding from grants and private donations, often paying for expenses to maintain the school out of pocket.

"I simply cannot teach enough to hold the school together and I plan to look for employment outside of this area," said Solberg.

To keep the school functioning, new board members will be needed, grant money will need to be secured, and Solberg will need more support from the community. "We have to make people aware of the musical education people can get right here," said Jim Willacker, a patron of the school.

"We have to keep it right here on the home front. People have to realize what they may lose," continued Willacker.

Willacker's wife Janet has been taking lessons at the school for the past three years.

Solberg has recently applied for two grants that would help her with the administrative ends of keeping the school running. She will be notified if she has received the grants within thirty days. If the grant money does not come through Solberg does not feel she can continue operating the school.

"The future of MISU is uncertain," said Solberg at the conclusion of the meeting.

If you would like to find out more about MISU or how you can donate to the school please contact Anastasia Solberg at (845) 647-5087 or log onto their website: http://www.misucatskills.org

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