The Mrs. G’s Music Foundation, established by Gretsch Company CFO Dinah Gretsch, recently sponsored the THA’s Got Talent contest at Thomas Heyward Academy in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Held on March 15, the competition presented performances in vocal, dance, and variety by kindergarten through twelfth grade THA students.
On hand to serve as a celebrity judge was guitar prodigy and Gretsch artist Joe Robinson—winner of the 2008 edition of Australia’s Got Talent at the age of sixteen. Robinson has since gone on to perform around the world. Rounding out the panel of judges was master drummer and Gretsch artist Stephen Ferrone (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) and Felicia Lem, a local dance instructor and THA alumnus.
In addition to judging the contest, Joe Robinson and Stephen Ferrone performed together. They were joined by a battery of THA fifth and sixth graders playing percussion instruments.
Dinah Gretsch (who served as the host for THA’s Got Talent) established the Mrs. G’s Music Foundation in 2010. Since then, the organization has funded a variety of instructional music programs, as well as seminars, workshops, and concerts by visiting artists.
“I believe that music has the power to change children’s lives for the better,” said Dinah. “If we can reach young children with that power, we can set them on a positive path for the rest of their lives.”
