Our Story Begins with Maestro Rolney Duverny
The Maestro Rolney Duverny Foundation was established to honor the life and legacy of a man whose gift for music was matched only by his generosity of spirit. Known affectionately as “Yeye,” Maestro Rolney believed that music could shape lives, build confidence, and open doors for young people from all walks of life.
Born in Côte de Fer, Haiti, Rolney began conducting choirs as a teenager—not for applause, but to bring structure and joy to young voices. After moving to the United States, he pursued formal music education and went on to teach in public schools, lead community ensembles, and mentor hundreds of students. To Maestro, music was more than an art form—it was a way to connect, to uplift, and to help others discover their own potential.
If you were lucky enough to study with Maestro Duverny, you know that he expected excellence, but he also gave it freely. He showed up early. He stayed late. He cheered the quietest student as loudly as the most talented soloist. His concerts were not just performances—they were celebrations of community, hard work, and the belief that everyone deserves a chance to shine.
Even in times of personal hardship, Maestro continued to teach, to encourage, and to lead with humility. He left an indelible mark on the people around him—not just through the music he shared, but through the lives he helped shape.
When Maestro passed away in 2024, his family, friends, and former students knew that his work needed to continue. The Maestro Rolney Duverny Foundation was founded to keep his vision alive: to make music education accessible, meaningful, and empowering for the next generation.
Today, the Foundation offers scholarships, mentorship, workshops, and performance opportunities for youth and students—especially those who may not otherwise have access to quality musical training. Through these programs, Maestro’s legacy lives on, not in name alone, but in practice.
Much has changed since Maestro first stood before a group of young singers with nothing but a piano, a pitch pipe, and belief in their potential. But the principles he built his life around—dedication, kindness, and the power of music to transform—remain at the heart of everything we do.
His legacy isn’t just remembered—it’s in motion.
And it plays on.
