​Americans who learn to play musical instruments enjoy various benefits, including decreased stress and improved memory. When it comes to learning an instrument for the first time, experts often suggest the piano because it is a user-friendly instrument that presents chords and scales in a way that is visual and easy to understand. However, the piano was not always such an accessible instrument.

The history of the modern piano stems from late 17th century Italy and the birth of Bartolomeo Cristofori, a musician who initially preferred the harpsichord. Over time, Cristofori became aggravated by his lack of control over the instrument's volume. Around the turn of the century, the musician developed a harpsichord that lacked a plucking mechanism, replacing the component with a hammer that players manipulated with their fingers.

While Cristofori's new instrument closely resembled a modern piano, he originally classified his creation as a new type of harpsichord. His name for the device, clavicembalo col piano e forte, translates to "a harpsichord that can play soft and loud noises, which became abbreviated as "piano."

The music world immediately noted Cristofori's invention, but the piano did not immediately enter the mainstream. Organ construction specialist Gottfried Silbermann expanded on Cristofori's design over several years. In 1747, Silbermann dedicated and delivered one of his pianos to King Frederick the Great. Not long after, Johann Sebastian Bach used the piano to perform a historical composition for the king.

Johann Andreas Stein, who would ultimately become known as a major piano manufacturer, joined Silberman. Stein continued refining the piano mechanism that Cristofori invented and improved by Silbermann. Stein's piano used a system called "Viennese action," which remained popular for several decades. This new design style produced a brighter tone and a more responsive keyboard.

Silbermann's iteration of the piano drew the attention of many composers, including Mozart. The control offered by the Viennese action enthralled Mozart, who wrote and performed countless piano pieces.

By this time, multiple piano manufacturers had started developing instruments for an ever-increasing number of composers and musicians. Johann Christian Bach used one of Johannes Christoph Zumpe's hammer-action clavichords, essentially a square piano, and regarded it as the first recorded solo piano performance at a public concert. A few years later, John Broadwood introduced a piano that was more powerful but also more sensitive to touch, resulting in an instrument that closely resembles the modern-day piano. Broadwood's piano was Ludwig van Beethoven's preferred instrument.

The history of the piano changed greatly after the French Revolution in 1789. Following the conflict, public interest and demand for the instrument expanded significantly. Manufacturers individually crafted pianos at the time, but the rise in demand led to the first piano manufacturing facilities. Developers also had to produce pianos with louder volumes and longer sustains so that musicians could play them in concert halls with thousands of audience members.

The instrument changed more as a larger number of musicians began to innovate and experiment with it. For instance, the introduction of trills and rapid arpeggios led to a keyboard capable of following quick note repetition. At the start of the 19th century, manufacturers designed compact pianos so buyers could play them at home when many viewed the piano as a core instrument for Western musicians.

​According to the YMCA, maintaining a physically active lifestyle leads to a well-being score that is on average 32 percent higher than more sedentary individuals. Exercise not only improves mood through the release of adrenaline and endorphins, but also it boosts confidence by achieving milestones, such as consistently walking 10,000 steps or reaching new personal records in strength training.

Outdoor activities like cycling offer an excellent way to stay physically active while enjoying the outdoors and exploring new scenery. However, it also offers important benefits to the body as well as mental health benefits. Whether cycling alone, which offers time for introspection, or in a group, which can expand one’s social network, the activity is versatile and rewarding.

Cycling strengthens the upper respiratory system, minimizing the incidence of the common cold. Dr. David Nieman from Appalachian State University notes that regular aerobic exercise, such as cycling several times a week, can decrease the number of sick days by up to 40 percent. Similarly, Professor Tim Noakes from the University of Cape Town explains that cycling enhances the immune system by increasing the production of essential proteins and stimulating white blood cells.

People working towards weight loss need to burn more calories than they consume. Cycling burns 400 to 1,000 calories every hour, depending on the intensity of the ride and weight of the rider. It’s necessary to note that a healthy calorie-deficit diet is preferable to one that exposes the body to long-term health risks.

Beyond burning fat, cycling also builds muscle, particularly in the calves, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. Muscle tissue is leaner than fat, and individuals with more muscle mass burn calories at a higher rate, even when at rest, which makes cycling an efficient way to enhance both fitness and metabolism.

​Cycling remains a versatile, low-impact, accessible aerobic exercise that offers many health benefits. Whether individuals engage in it as a casual activity, a competitive sport, or a means of transportation, cycling contributes to physical, physiological, and mental well-being.

For those seeking a weight management strategy, cycling provides an effective and enjoyable option. It helps reduce body fat, temporarily boosts metabolism, and builds muscle, which enhances the body's ability to burn calories even at rest. Regular cycling strengthens leg muscles, including the calves, glutes, hamstrings, and quads, while minimally impacting the joints. It makes it a gentle yet effective workout. Complementing cycling with exercises such as leg presses, lunges, and squats can further improve leg strength and cycling performance.

Beginners can begin cycling on a stationary bike. It allows them to adjust the intensity. Stationary bikes also serve as an alternative for individuals nursing an injury or illness. 

In addition to its physical benefits, cycling promotes mental health and brain power, easing feelings of anxiety, depression, or stress. By focusing on the road and cadence, the rider can improve concentration and awareness of the present moment. Research indicates that biking outdoors improves cognitive function and well-being for older adults. It also promotes the release of endorphins in the body, lowering stress levels and helping one feel better.

​Crafting an exceptional jazz tune involves understanding and mastering several key elements that define the genre's unique sound. To truly excel in jazz composition, one must develop a deep familiarity with jazz chords and sounds, even if they are not yet accomplished musicians. This foundational knowledge allows the composer to create music that resonates with the essence of jazz.

It’s advisable to take jazz composition education slowly, letting the information sink in, and letting one’s brain make the connections necessary to write better music. A good place to begin is to write a hook that catches the listener’s ear. A hook is a memorable melodic or rhythmic phrase that stands out, even if the rest of the song is complex or unconventional.

Beyond crafting a catchy hook, a great jazz tune requires a well-considered arrangement and groove. While jazz composition focuses on harmony, it’s easy to do more than write a good melody and neat chord. Focusing on writing the groove and arrangement ensures the output is a more enduring sound that’s appealing to listeners’ ears.

Ultimately, jazz compositions should be crafted with the listener in mind. The goal is to create music that people genuinely enjoy and want to listen to. Writing with the listener's experience at the forefront ensures that the music is both engaging and memorable.

​Born in New Orleans, jazz music has gained worldwide recognition, gracing venues such as cafes, bars, lounges, and concert halls. Legends like Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra are celebrated for their compositional skills. Understanding various compositional elements is crucial to attaining such mastery. Central to jazz is chord progression, which is the harmonic backbone of a composition. Chords, comprising multiple notes played together, come in various types, including major, minor, dominant seventh, and diminished chord. Each type offers a unique tonal quality, with some producing bright or dark sounds and others creating tension and depth.

Crafting compelling chord progressions involves selecting a key signature (distinguishing element). Musicians then explore the chords within that key before trying different chord combinations. Studying traditional progressions can inspire new ideas. Advanced players add complexity by incorporating notes beyond the basic triad (a three-note chord) or altering existing chord tones to create tension or unique qualities that evoke different emotions in the listener.

Based on the established chord progression, musicians should focus on melody creation. They can construct melodies by stringing various notes to bring the music to life. Experimenting with notes shared between chords and smoothly transitioning between melodies using common notes can enhance coherence. By studying master composers, novices can learn how to blend notes expressively and engagingly and the techniques that give a melody personality and movement.

Rhythm is essential in jazz music. The genre employs a rhythmic technique, syncopation, which allows musicians to play against expected patterns. Rhythm leads to anticipation and surprises. Jazz composers can enhance their rhythms by mastering the interaction of various instruments. For example, the bass sets the tempo, the piano adds highlights, and the drums enhance the groove. Playing contrasting rhythms simultaneously can add depth and complexity.

Improvisation, the spontaneous creation of melody, is another key compositional element. However, when applying this technique, ensuring rhythm and harmony is vital. Mastering tools such as scales, arpeggios, and guide-tones are key to effective improvisation. Scales are notes following a particular pattern to provide a tonal foundation. Arpeggios, also a series of notes, require playing in rapid succession (in ascending or descending order) but not all at once. In contrast, guide tones, typically the 3rd and 7th notes of a chord, define the harmonic structure. These tools enable artists to invent new lyrical melodic lines at the moment that complement and develop the song's form.

A jazz composition's form, or structure, helps convey musical ideas effectively. Forms often feature sections that allow for variation within the tune while maintaining coherence. Duke Ellington's "Take the 'A' Train" exemplifies a good form, which follows an AABA structure that divides the 32-measure song into four eight-measure sections. The first sections featured identical chord progressions of two eight-bar sections (AA), a contrasting eight-bar in the third section (B), and a return to the opening theme (A) in the last. The "32-bar form" became a standard in jazz and popular music, providing a balanced melodic development and improvisation framework.

Upon mastering the fundamentals, composers can explore various jazz styles. Swing, the oldest form of jazz, is characterized by energetic rhythms and syncopated melodies. Bebop, influenced by Swing, is fast-paced and complex, employing heavy instrument use. Cool jazz is a mellow alternative to Bebop and emphasizes relaxed tempos. Free jazz abandons traditional structures and does not bind musicians to any parameters, whereas jazz fusion blends jazz elements with other genres like funk or rock.

​The Yonkers Industrial Development Agency (YIDA) is а public benefit corporation bolstering Yonkers’ global competitiveness. It supports existing businesses and attracts new ones. Its board comprises experts from diverse fields who drive its mission forward. The leadership team has experience in state assembly, city administration, economic development, government relations, marketing, and more.

YIDA’s assistance encompasses various incentives primarily focused on tax relief. It offers exemptions on state and local sales taxes, access to bond financing, and implements a Real Property Tax Abatement Program. However, state laws restrict the agency’s assistance to healthcare, senior services (housing and facilities), construction projects, existing businesses seeking to expand or modernize within Yonkers, and those relocating outside the city.

Over the past decade, YIDA has been instrumental in advancing projects across residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments in Yonkers. Notable projects include The Abbey on the Park, Park Square, Bridgewater North, Miroza Tower, Jackson Terrace, and Dayspring Commons, and span from apartment buildings, senior housing, commercial/retail developments, and industrial/manufacturing facilities. YIDA has also issued bonds to support these developments over the years.

The agency also offers crucial support during economic hardships through its State Disaster Emergency Grant and Loan Program. Non-profit corporations and small businesses with fewer than 51 employees have since benefitted from grants up to $10,000 and loans not exceeding $25,000, particularly during the pandemic, to facilitate purchasing personal protective equipment and help with other COVID-19-related needs. Those seeking assistance can contact the City of Yonkers’ Business and Development division and the Department of Planning and Development for further support.

To benefit from YIDA’s assistance, applicants must complete an application form and fill in their personal details and project specifics like costs, tax agreements or exemptions, and job creation plans. The application also requires disclosure if the project will result in the closure of other facilities in New York or involve an out-of-state employment plan. Once submitted along with supporting documents and a non-refundable fee of $600, the application undergoes a review to assess eligibility for assistance before final approval.

A preliminary approval (an inducement) confirms a project’s eligibility for incentives. Applicants or their representatives must attend IDA meetings to address any queries or requests from board members. Following inducement approval, the benefitting company/applicant can start negotiating the payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for property tax abatement. A public hearing allows community input on proposed projects before final resolution. The process concludes with a project closing, where different entities, including YIDA, applicants, and legal counsel, finalize all legal documents and establish a payment structure.

Each year, YIDA publishes а comprehensive budget report detailing its financial activities, including operating and non-operating revenues, expenditures, and changes in net assets. This report ensures transparency and accountability, evaluates performance, and guides resource management. It also informs the public about YIDA’s activities and economic impact and promotes business collaboration.

YIDA’s success is rooted in its bylaws, which define the corporation’s governance structure, the roles and powers of its leadership, and procedures for meetings, among other aspects. Article V of the bylaws, for example, outlines general operational rules, emphasizing the importance of a majority vote for agency actions. Committees assist with various tasks, such as financial auditing and governance. The bylaws also include protective measures for YIDA’s personnel (e.g., officers and employees), offering indemnification against legal challenges related to their official duties.

Besides bylaws, YIDA operates under several policies that guide its operations and decision-making processes, ensuring compliance with applicable laws. Key policies cover procurement, investment, governance, and a code of ethics.