The DeKalb County Community Foundation is excited to announce the Sycamore Orchestra Endowment Fund. This new Designated Fund supports the needs of the Sycamore CUSD #427 orchestra program.

Orchestra teachers Ken and Amy Tonaki created the Fund to align with their desire for quality student experiences and education. Support from this Fund benefits various functions, including but not limited to, guest clinician honorariums, music event field trips, and the purchase of school instruments, technology, music, and supplies.

“It is unique for a city the size of Sycamore to have a public-school orchestra program,” said Amy Tonaki. “Over the years, the program has become a part of several community traditions. In addition, students have performed at weddings, retirement homes, and many private functions. My husband Ken and I want to see this program grow and continue to impact youth positively.”

Ken was born and raised in Lombard, IL. He earned both his undergrad and master’s degrees at NIU. He has also taught his whole career in Sycamore and is starting his 28th year in the district.

Amy was born in Danville and raised in Libertyville, IL. Her father was her high school orchestra teacher. After high school, Amy earned her degree in music education at Augustana College and her master’s degree at NIU. She has taught her whole career in Sycamore and is starting her 19th year in the district.

Ken and Amy have interwoven their lives into the Sycamore community, not only as teachers but as residents raising a family in Sycamore. Their educational philosophy is to create a safe and nurturing environment for orchestra students and to spread the love of orchestral music to the youth, their families, and the entire community.

“We are excited to partner with the Tonakis in creating an endowment that will provide supplemental financial support to the Sycamore School District’s Orchestra program for decades to come,” said Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin. “Additional donors that can help grow this Fund include orchestral music lovers in DeKalb County, families of students who have been positively influenced by the Sycamore Orchestra program, and alumni whose lives have been forever enriched by the program faculty as well as making music together with their peers.”

Donations to any Fund at the Community Foundation, including the Sycamore Orchestra Endowment Fund, can be made online or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or to discuss setting up a Fund that aligns with your charitable interests, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.

Pictured: Instructors Amy and Ken Tonaki desire to spread the love of orchestral music to the youth, their families, and the entire community.