The Next Chapter: INTEMPO

Impact Fairfield County’s gift “afforded us [the chance] to think big,” shared INTEMPO founder and CEO Angie Durrell.

When Impact FFC awarded INTEMPO $100K (INTEMPO’s largest gift at that time!) in 2021, we provided much more than seed funding for a new program at the organization. We gave INTEMPO the opportunity to dream and grow.Since its founding in 2011, INTEMPO has worked “to engage, educate, and enrich the lives of children by making classical and intercultural music relevant, accessible, and inclusive.” Today, through after-school, in-school, and summer camp programs, INTEMPO teaches music to over 700 young people aged 3-17, who are predominantly from an immigrant background, influencing their socioemotional and intellectual development in the process.

With Impact FFC’s support, INTEMPO launched its New Arrivals Program, which uses a research-based curriculum to help children learn English and increase their confidence through music. For the past two years, our funding has helped to educate more than 200 students annually across two Title 1 schools in Stamford and one in Norwalk.

We’re thrilled to report that starting this school year, New Arrivals is self-sustainable, having shifted to an earned revenue model, and has expanded to four schools across Fairfield County! Stamford Public Schools is now paying to participate in New Arrivals and expanded their district’s participation from two to three schools, and Norwalk Public Schools is also providing funding for their school’s inclusion in the program. 

Beyond the direct programmatic benefits, Impact FFC’s funding also gave INTEMPO a platform for growth – providing the bandwidth to build out their curriculum, capacity to hire new staff, and credibility to go after other six-figure gifts. In 2022 INTEMPO was awarded the esteemed Lewis Prize for Music – an incredible half a million dollars over four years! – becoming the first and only music program in Connecticut to receive this national award.

Looking to the future, INTEMPO is eager to extend its reach. Having recently completed a strategic plan, in the coming years, they aim to find a new, larger facility for the music school, expand their Board, and increase community awareness of the organization. In fact, three long-time Impact FFC members, two of whom are former Impact FFC Board members, have joined INTEMPO’s team: Kerith Knechtel and Pam Heckel as Board Members, and Steviann Martines as Deputy Director.

In an effort to increase visibility, earlier this year INTEMPO kicked off a new concert series, performing at venues around Fairfield County to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. For additional information on how to get involved with INTEMPO and where they’ll be performing next, don’t hesitate to reach out to info@intempo.org. Can’t wait to see where Durell and the team take INTEMPO next!