John Jay College Of Criminal Justice | The City University of New York

   

April 16, 2010, New York, NY – Caroline Stoessinger, prominent pianist and John Jay College Artist-in-Residence since 2007, received the Visionary Award of the American Dreamer Awards from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. The Awards were presented at a breakfast reception hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Fatima Shama that kicked off Immigrant Heritage Week, a weeklong celebration that runs from April 15- 21.

Caroline Stoessinger, founder and director of The Mozart Academy of New York and the Great Music for a Great City music series at John Jay College, was honored for her significant contributions to the cultural tapestry of New York City. She has been an outstanding teacher and advocate of immigrants for many years. Her organization provides high quality classical music instruction at no cost to immigrant children who have limited access to such opportunities and whose families could otherwise not afford such lessons.

The American Dreamer Awards were created to celebrate the significant accomplishments and contributions made by an individual or organization to better the lives of immigrants and immigrant communities in New York City. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs received nominations from a number of community organizations, elected officials and individuals from across the five boroughs. Stoessinger, along with four other winners, were selected from an outstanding group of candidates.

Stoessinger has brought people together through music for such diverse organizations as The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, Young Presidents’ Organization, Forum 2000 and for the Governments of South Africa, Italy, Israel and the Czech Republic. She was honored by the New York Times for her distinguished programs, received the Bravo Award from the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra for her artistic service to the community and a presidential medal from President Havel for service to his nation. Professor Stoessinger has produced many national and internationally televised programs and public events for various nations including the U.S., South Africa, Italy, Israel and the Czech Republic.

About John Jay College of Criminal Justice: An international leader in educating for justice, John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New York offers a rich liberal arts and professional studies curriculum to upwards of 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 135 nations. In teaching, scholarship and research, the College approaches justice as an applied art and science in service to society and as an ongoing conversation about fundamental human desires for fairness, equality and the rule of law. For more information, visit www.jjay.cuny.edu.