On the evening of Sunday, April 14, the harmony of philanthropy and music will come together at the 2nd Annual Rehart Gesner Benefit Recital, spearheaded by locals Dr. Michelle Latour and Katy Morris. Aiming to be more than just a musical soirée, the event is a heartfelt endeavor to provide crucial assistance to music educators in the Clark County School District (CCSD). The duo's passion is fueled by a profound connection to their grandmothers, who played pivotal roles in nurturing their love for music.
Following the resounding success of their inaugural recital, which raised over $35,000, Latour and Morris have already granted scholarships to six deserving CCSD teachers and are poised to award more this February. The driving force behind their mission? To empower music teachers through scholarships for private voice lessons and vocal health screenings, fostering a community where educators can harmonize their passion for teaching with self-care.
“When we came up with the idea to raise money to help music teachers nurture their voices and to allow them to focus on themselves, we had no idea where it would go,” said Katy. “It became apparent when the first scholarship applications started rolling in.”
The event was an overwhelming success.
“I have been teaching three scholarship recipients,” said Michelle. “It is glaringly obvious that there is an incredible need for what we are doing.”
Additionally, they were able to partner with renowned Los Angeles-based laryngologist Dr. Reena Gupta, of The Center for Vocal Health, to give all scholarship recipients a full voice exam. The Rehart Gesner Fund paid for five music teachers to meet with Dr. Gupta for a stroboscopy to see if there were any medical issues affecting their voices.
“None of these teachers had ever had a voice exam, although they all experienced extreme vocal fatigue or even voice loss due to the high demands of their jobs. Dr. Gupta has a licensed Speech Language Pathologist on her team, Tressa Cox, so that if a scholarship recipient also needed voice therapy, they could move seamlessly from Dr. Gupta’s appointment into a session with Tressa,” said Michelle. “The level of care they received through these appointments was immeasurable. All five teachers walked away with a clear view of their vocal health and an action plan for how to use their voices in a healthy way.”
This year's benefit will include a recital featuring several of Dr. Latour’s semi-pro and professional adult students. Along with entertainment, there is a silent auction, including offerings from small, locally owned businesses and large corporations, such as a year of flower delivery from Flowers by Michelle, restaurant gift certificates, tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights game, and a two-day driving school experience at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch.
The benefit holds more significance than just one event, as it is funding education and assistance for teachers across the valley.
“As we know, teachers are known for giving everything to the classroom, so allowing them to do something for themselves seemed like a brilliant idea. The knowledge gained during voice lessons can make an impact on these teachers’ lives forever as they implement the skills learned,” said Katy.
As a student herself, Katy can only attest to how important this education is.
“I was holding onto many bad habits from years of improper use of my voice. Plus, I hadn’t used my voice for singing in almost a decade. Dr. Latour has an amazing ear for what is going on with your voice and the eye to see how your body is impacting your sound,” said Katy. “Not only has she taught me technique, but also she has encouraged me to be confident and comfortable in the sound of my voice. My own experience with Dr. Latour made it clear to me that a cause focused on music teacher’s vocal health could make a big impact on the lives of the teachers, as well as their students.”
Watching students evolve through their journeys has been an incredible honor and inspiration for Michelle.
“I love seeing the light bulb go off in their eyes when they stumble upon a new sound, or they free up a part of their voice that had previously been stuck. I am incredibly lucky to be able to sit at the piano all day and help singers discover what is possible,” said Michelle. “Private voice lessons give singers confidence in their abilities, and they often find renewed joy in singing and are so satisfied to be doing something for themselves.”
With donations from the community, they can expand upon the number of scholarships they can award to teachers for private voice lessons, in addition to continuing to offer voice exams and if needed, voice therapy with a licensed SLP. Donating to the Rehart Gesner Fund changes lives as it gives music teachers a chance to work on their craft while also learning how to care for their voices.
"Their vision to establish the Rehart Gesner Fund fills a crucial need." - Kimberly Kanitz
"Through voice lessons, I have learned how to care for my voice," Vanessa P., Elementary School Music Teacher
