The Elville Center Spring 2021 Update – Helping Music Education Be a Part of Every Child’s World of Possibility

May 28, 2021 · 10 min read

By: Jeffrey D. Stauffer – Executive Director – Elville Center for the Creative Arts, Inc.

“Music enhances the education of our children by helping them to make connections and broadening the depth with which they think and feel. If we are to hope for a society of culturally literate people, music must be a vital part of our children’s education.” – Yo-Yo Ma

As the Elville Center for the Creative Arts approaches its six-year anniversary in June, the foundation of its mission remains the same as we work to “Make a Musical Difference in the Lives of Children” each day by providing them the opportunity to learn music theory and application, experience cultural events related to the musical and creative arts, and to use music and the promotion of music-related activities to transcend social and economic divisions. The Elville Center partners with school music programs and local businesses to give the gift of music to children of all ages who want to participate in music but don’t have the means to do so on their own. The Elville Center refurbishes donated musical instruments, purchases new instruments for programs, provides rental instruments, offers support to develop music programs, partners with professional symphonies and other organizations to fund music education initiatives, and much more.

Due to COVID, now more than ever the support of interested clients and community members like you is critical to the Elville Center’s continued ability to keep music alive, and in many cases, help restore music to schools and the thousands of student musicians in Maryland that aren’t afforded the opportunities they desire to participate in music. School music programs are being defunded, and countless programs in existence don’t have the necessities to function properly to give student musicians the experiences they deserve in music education. Teachers do not have their own money to pour into their programs to pay for needed equipment, supplies, and instruments. With COVID having affected schools since early 2020, music programs have been deemphasized even more with music teachers having to find creative ways to offer music remotely and in person. As schools prepare for full-time in person learning in the fall, the Elville Center is being counted on to support our school music partners so they are fully prepared for a successful fall semester.

Since our last update, the Elville Center has been busy strengthening current relationships and building new ones as we work to assist as many music programs and student musicians as possible. Some of our stories are below. And to reiterate – these stories would not be possible without donations from people like you who support organizations like the Elville Center!

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Sponsorship and Educational Initiative

For a fifth consecutive season, the Elville Center is continuing its support as a major sponsor of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, a professional orchestra in Annapolis based in the historic Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. Last year, the Center’s sponsorship paid for the bus transportation and tickets for 625 children, all from Title 1 schools, to attend the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Concerts for Schoolchildren. The Symphony performs annual music education concerts for more than 2,600 elementary schoolchildren from Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Taking place during the school day, these educational performances expose students to symphonic music in a theater setting, regardless of their socio-economic status. The Symphony strives to introduce elementary schoolchildren to live music performed by a professional orchestra; to teach students about the four instrument families; to engage young listeners with multi-media elements, such as theater, dance, magic or puppetry; and to reinforce that music is fun and accessible.

Continuing our funding for this ASO’s music education initiative is our largest and arguably most important venture of the year, as it positively affects so many underprivileged students and directly fulfills our mission to give children the opportunity to experience cultural events related to music they never would have experienced otherwise.

The Annapolis Symphony Academy

As an offshoot to our relationship with the ASO, the Elville Center was recently introduced to the Annapolis Symphony Academy. Led by Founder and Director Netanel Draiblate, the Academy’s mission is to provide a high-level music education to students of all cultural and economic backgrounds, while addressing the under-representation of minority musicians in the classical music field.

According to the Academy’s “Model for Diversity” on its website, “Half of the Annapolis Symphony Academy student body is comprised of underrepresented minorities (in today's U.S. orchestras) in a model that emphasizes interaction and mutual respect. Regardless of a student's cultural background, and through the incredible generosity of our donors, the Academy awards up to fifty percent of its annual tuition revenue in need-based scholarships. We believe this model provides a truly diverse student body, as it merges two overlapping, yet nonidentical, concepts of equality onto one program. Students are selected for the program strictly based on merit as well as their drive to learn and become better musicians.”

Beginning in June, the Elville Center will be providing high-level donated refurbished musical instruments of all kinds to support the Academy’s mission and student musicians as they pursue their musical dreams in through this groundbreaking educational opportunity.

Wiley H. Bates Middle School

The Elville Center continues to partner with its good friends at Bates Middle School, led by Director of Bands Dr. Maximus Vanderbeek and Orchestral Program Director Ms. Kirsten Taylor. This longstanding partnership is important as the instruments and equipment we provide Dr. Vanderbeek are divided among Bates Middle’s feeder elementary schools, expanding our reach to hundreds of additional student musicians in Anne Arundel County. Along with our continuing monthly financial support of its guest artist/student teacher program, over the past several months the Elville Center has provided Bates with over 20 instruments for the school’s large band program and Performing Visual Arts Program, and has begun to offer instruments to its orchestral program as well. A beautiful cello, a long-sought euphonium and tuba, violins, trumpets, flutes, and a rare cornet with a remarkable sound are now in the hands of Bates’ student musicians as music resonates through its halls in preparation for its next performance.

The Elville Center also orchestrated the delivery of a fine Roland KR-7 digital piano to Bates in May, which was donated to the charity by a former music instructor at Loyola University. While pianos are not typically something we delve into at the charity, when there is a need from one of our partners and an opportunity presents itself, the Elville Center will make it happen!

REACH! Partnership

In one of our most important endeavors to date, this April the Elville Center reconnected with the REACH! Partnership, a Baltimore City charter school whose band program is in its relative infancy; however, this does not mean the dreams and desire to enhance its students’ lives with music education is not there – because it is with wholehearted enthusiasm! Hard work has been poured into the school’s band and choral programs over the past three years as they continue to grow in scope and sound each year. The Elville Center recognizes this and wants to be part of the movement that is REACH! Partnership Music! With the assistance of the school’s remarkable Community Engagement Coordinator, Ms. Rhonda McKinney, the Elville Center delivered a large donation of instruments and supplies to the school, which included a five-piece Tama swingstar and ride drum set with high hat and crash symbols; a Peavy amp; three Fender guitars with attachments for the amp; two trumpets; two clarinets and a flute. In May, the Elville Center received information regarding how it can support the school’s choral program as well, so our donation to the school as the fall semester begins will include support for not only the band but that program as well.

Mr. Dick Clark, band director at the school, remarked, "Music is the soundtrack of Life! "When music programs were removed from schools as part of the curriculum or even as an extracurricular activity, we lost that soundtrack from our students. We missed that sound of creativity of art through various instruments and even in voice. It has always been the dream and desire of my principal, Dr. James Gresham, to have a music program at our school where we can bring that sound back to life! Thanks to Mr. Stephen Elville, Mr. Jeff Stauffer and to the support of the Elville Center for the Creative Arts, this dream has now become a reality! We have a brand new 21^st-century building with a music room, where we can now not only teach our students how to play various instruments but to learn how to appreciate music as an art. We have a choir that made their debut at our Christmas program in 2019! They have been going strong ever since! We appreciate the generous donations and are excited about hearing that soundtrack of life throughout our building.”

Ms. McKinney continued with her thoughts about the importance of partnerships such as that of the Elville Center to REACH! Partnership’s growth and success, saying, “It is with sincere appreciation and a grateful heart that we say thank you for supporting the mission of the REACH Partnership School. We are excited about your contribution to support our students and staff. Your contribution of the musical instruments and other musical supplieshas allowed us to better serve our school community. Having supportive partnerships is essential to the success of our Community School model. Our partnership remains a promising vehicle in our collective efforts to serve the needs of our students and their families.”

The Columbia Orchestra

The Elville Center is proud to support the Columbia Orchestra’s Young People’s Concert for a fifth consecutive year. This year’s Concert took place on May 22^nd at the Chrysalis amphitheater in downtown Columbia and was a hit with the kids and their families as it has been for years. A wonderful way to introduce children of all ages to music and the Orchestra, an ensemble, dancers from Dance Connections, and narrator Greg Jukes performed Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf! In addition, music from Moana, Wizard of Oz, and more was enjoyed by all.

Germantown, West Annapolis, and Annapolis Elementary Schools

Not only is Dr. Vanderbeek at Bates Middle a valued partner of the Elville Center, he is a great referral partner as well, having suggested we reach out to Mr. Andrew Ritenour, Band Director at the three above-mentioned schools. In speaking with Mr. Ritenour, he shared with me some information about his music education programs, including the challenges COVID has presented over the past year. His schools serve high-poverty neighborhoods, and this year he had half the number of band students he would have in a typical year. Instruments are always needed at his schools, as students’ families typically don’t have the resources available to rent them.

As we receive our next batch of donated refurbished instruments from our valued partner, Music & Arts Center of Severna Park, as he’s asked, we’ve assured Mr. Ritenour to expect a delivery of trumpets, saxophones for his bands, as well as violins for the orchestral programs at his schools.

“My students and I are grateful for the instruments you send our way!” noted Mr. Ritenour. “Thank you so much for all you're doing to put instruments in the hands of students who wouldn't otherwise be able to play - sometimes their participation in these groups is the primary reason they want to come to school! Music education is that important to us here!”

The Elville Center needs your support to further its important work and help develop new relationships that are depending on the charity. Every one of the refurbished instruments and equipment the Elville Center provides school music education programs along with other educational initiatives we support are not possible without donor support. We need those instruments that you don’t use anymore and are taking up space. And, most importantly, we need your monetary support to help refurbish those instruments, purchase supplies, and facilitate cultural learning experiences for student musicians in need. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, all donations made to the Elville Center are tax-deductible. To donate or learn more about the Elville Center for the Creative Arts, please visit www.elvillecenter.org, contact Jeff Stauffer at jeff@elvillecenter.org, or call 443-676-9691. We value and appreciate your support!

“Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” Plato

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Thinking about a life estate in Maryland? Learn the benefits, risks, Medicaid concerns, and alternatives before adding children to your deed.

Jan 19, 2026 in Blog

Life Estates in Maryland: When They Make Sense and When They Don’t

A life estate can be a useful planning tool for some Maryland families who want to protect a home, avoid probate, and plan ahead for the future. At the same time, life estates create permanent legal and financial consequences that are often misunderstood. Knowing when a life estate works well and when it creates long-term problems is essential before moving forward. This article explains how life estates function in Maryland, common risks families encounter, how life estates interact with Medicaid planning, and alternatives that may offer greater flexibility. What Is a Life Estate? A life estate allows more than one person to hold ownership interests in the same property at different times. In Maryland, this typically allows a parent to live in and control a home for life while naming children or other individuals to receive the property automatically after death. The person living in the home is called the life tenant. The individuals who will receive the property later are known as remaindermen. While remaindermen cannot take possession during the life tenant’s lifetime, they hold a present ownership interest in the property. Life estate deeds are often used to avoid probate, support long-term planning goals, and simplify the transfer of a home. These benefits must be balanced against the legal limitations created by the deed. When a Life Estate May Make Sense In limited situations, a life estate can serve a practical purpose. This is most common in straightforward family arrangements where a parent intends to remain in the home for life and wants the property to pass directly to a specific individual without probate. Life estates may also be considered when flexibility is not a priority and future long-term care needs are unlikely. Even in these situations, careful legal review is critical before creating the deed. When Life Estates Create Problems for Maryland Families Limits on Selling or Refinancing Once a life estate is created, the life tenant generally cannot sell or refinance the property without the consent of all remaindermen. This can create serious challenges if care needs change or the property must be sold to cover expenses. Some families explore tools such as a testamentary power of appointment or a nominee realty trust to increase flexibility, but these options require careful planning and are not appropriate in every case. Difficulty Changing Ownership Removing a remainderman from a life estate deed is far more complex than changing a beneficiary on a financial account. Once added, that ownership interest is legally significant and often cannot be undone without consent or legal action. Exposure to Remainderman Issues After a remainderman is added to the deed, their legal and financial issues may affect the property. Court judgments, tax liens, divorce proceedings, or bankruptcy can complicate ownership and create unexpected risks. If a remainderman passes away before the life tenant, their interest may pass through their estate, potentially requiring probate and introducing new parties into the ownership structure. Medicaid Look-Back Concerns Creating a life estate involves transferring a property interest. If long-term care is needed within five years of that transfer, Maryland Medicaid rules may impose a penalty period. Timing and structure matter, and mistakes can be costly. Nursing Home Recovery Risks If the home is sold while the life tenant is receiving nursing home care, the state may assert a claim against the proceeds to recover Medicaid benefits paid. This outcome often surprises families. Life Estates and Medicaid Planning in Maryland A common misconception is that a life estate automatically protects a home from Medicaid. While a life estate may avoid probate, it does not replace a comprehensive Medicaid planning strategy. Medicaid planning is highly timing-sensitive and should be coordinated with broader elder law goals. Families often benefit from reviewing life estates alongside other options discussed in our Maryland elder law resources. Alternatives That Offer Greater Flexibility Depending on family goals, other planning tools may provide better long-term outcomes. Revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and coordinated elder law planning strategies often allow for asset protection while preserving flexibility and control. These approaches may integrate more smoothly with Medicaid planning and incapacity planning and can reduce risk as circumstances change. Reviewing a Life Estate as Part of a Larger Plan Life estates affect more than property ownership. They influence taxes, Medicaid eligibility, and the ability to respond to future care needs. For this reason, they should always be evaluated as part of a broader estate and elder law plan rather than used in isolation. If you are considering a life estate or already have one in place, guidance from a Maryland elder law attorney can help clarify risks and identify options before a crisis occurs. To schedule a confidential consultation, contact us online, call our Columbia office at 443-339-5638, or reach our Rockville office at 240-456-1657.

Jan 13, 2026 in Blog

Life Estates in Maryland: Benefits, Risks, and Better Planning Options

A life estate can be a helpful tool for Maryland families looking to protect their homes, avoid probate, and plan for Medicaid. It is important to understand the risks involved. This article explains common life estate issues and why careful legal planning matters before deciding if this approach fits your situation. What Is a Life Estate? A life estate allows multiple people to hold interests in the same property at different times. In Maryland, this often means a parent keeps possession and use of their home while ensuring it passes to their children without going through probate. By creating a life estate deed, families may avoid probate, reduce Medicaid exposure, and receive a step up in tax basis. The person living in the home is known as the life tenant and retains control during their lifetime. The individuals who inherit the property are the remaindermen. Although they cannot take possession until the life tenant passes away, they hold a current ownership interest. When a Life Estate May Still Be Appropriate In limited situations, a life estate can serve a practical purpose. Some families use a life estate when a parent wants to remain in the home for life and ensure the property passes directly to a specific individual without probate. This is most common in straightforward family situations where long term care needs are unlikely and flexibility is not a primary concern. Even in these cases, careful review is important. A life estate permanently alters property rights, and future changes often require agreement from all parties involved. Five Issues Maryland Families Should Know 1. Limits on Selling or Borrowing Against the Property A life tenant generally cannot sell or refinance the property without agreement from all remaindermen. A testamentary power of appointment may allow the life tenant to change who inherits the property through a will, providing additional flexibility. A nominee realty trust may allow one or more children to act as trustee for all remaindermen, with decisions made by majority vote. This can be helpful when family members disagree. 2. Difficulty Removing a Remainderman Removing a remainderman from a deed is far more complex than changing a beneficiary on a financial account. In many cases, removal is not possible without consent or court involvement. 3. Legal Issues Affecting the Property Once a remainderman is added to the deed, their financial or legal issues may affect the property. Court judgments or tax liens may attach to the home Divorce or bankruptcy can complicate ownership If a remainderman passes away before the life tenant, their estate may require probate These issues may not force the life tenant to leave the home, but they can create significant complications. 4. Medicaid Look Back Period Transferring a property interest through a life estate can affect Medicaid eligibility if long term care is needed within five years of the transfer. 5. Nursing Home Reimbursement If the property is sold while the life tenant is in a nursing home, the state may have a claim against the sale proceeds to recover care costs. Why Life Estates Often Create Long Term Challenges Many families create life estates without fully understanding the limitations involved. Selling or refinancing the property usually requires consent from the remainder beneficiary, which can become problematic if care needs change or funds are needed. Life estates also expose the property to risks tied to the remainder beneficiary. Financial hardship, divorce, or creditor claims affecting that individual can impact the property even while the life tenant continues to live there. Life Estates and Medicaid Planning in Maryland A common misconception is that a life estate automatically protects a home from Medicaid rules. While a life estate may avoid probate, it does not automatically shield the property from Medicaid eligibility requirements or recovery claims. In some situations, transferring a remainder interest can create a Medicaid penalty period if it is not structured properly or completed at the right time. Because Medicaid planning is highly timing sensitive, a life estate should never be used as a substitute for a comprehensive elder law strategy. Alternatives That Offer More Flexibility Than a Life Estate Depending on a family’s goals, other planning tools may provide better long term results. Revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and coordinated elder law planning strategies may offer asset protection while preserving control and adaptability. These options often integrate more effectively with Medicaid planning and incapacity planning. Choosing the right structure depends on health, family dynamics, finances, and anticipated care needs. A solution that works well for one family may create serious limitations for another. Is a Life Estate the Right Option? For some Maryland residents, life estates can provide benefits, particularly when probate avoidance is a primary goal. The risks involved mean this approach is not appropriate for every situation. Understanding both the legal and financial impact is critical. Reviewing a Life Estate as Part of a Bigger Plan Life estates affect more than property ownership. They impact taxes, Medicaid eligibility, and a family’s ability to respond to changing circumstances. For this reason, life estates should be reviewed as part of a broader estate and elder law plan rather than used alone. If you are considering a life estate or already have one in place, speaking with a Maryland elder law attorney can help clarify risks and identify options before a crisis occurs. To schedule a confidential consultation, contact us onlin e, call our Columbia office at 443-339-5638, or dial 240-456-1657 to reach our Rockville office.

2026 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Dec 19, 2025 in Blog

Managing Principal Stephen Elville, Principal Attorneys Shannon Goodwin and Shannon Ladner, and Associate Attorney Sara von Stein Echeverria Honored on the 2026 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Authored by: Jeffrey D. Stauffer – Community Relations Director It was announced on Friday, December 19 th that Managing Principal Stephen Elville, Principal Attorneys Shannon Goodwin and Shannon Ladner, and Associate Attorney Sara von Stein Echeverria were honored on the 2026 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists. Stephen R. Elville, J.D., LL.M. — Managing Principal Stephen R. Elville, President, CEO, and Managing Principal of Elville & Associates, P.C., has again been selected to the 2026 Maryland Super Lawyers List — his 11th overall and 10th consecutive year receiving this recognition. Mr. Elville’s practice centers on helping individuals and families through challenging legal landscapes with clarity, compassion, and technical skill. He leads the firm’s work in estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, tax planning and asset protection and preservation, long-term care planning, and more. Clients working with Mr. Elville benefit from his deep experience navigating both pre-crisis planning and complex crisis situations — giving them peace of mind and a personalized, long-term strategy. Throughout his career, Mr. Elville has built a reputation as one of Maryland’s most respected attorneys. His broad legal-technical knowledge, combined with a caring and client-focused approach, enables him to address a wide range of legal matters with confidence and clarity. In addition to his client work, he is a seasoned educator and speaker, regularly offering webinars and workshops for clients and the surrounding community, along with continuing education events for financial advisors. Mr. Elville is an active member of several professional organizations including the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), WealthCounsel, the Academy of Special Needs Planners, and as well as the EPIC Peer Group where he travels around the country each quarter learning from and teaching likeminded attorneys. He has held leadership roles including the past Chair of the Estates & Trusts & Elder Law Sections of the Howard County Bar Association, past President of the Coalition of Geriatric Services (COGS), and past Chair of the Elder Law & Disability Rights Section Council of the Maryland State Bar Association. He was also the long-term Chair for Law Day Maryland and recently served as Chair of the Pro Bono Subcommittee of the Elder Law Disability Rights Section Council. Outside of his legal practice, he is President of the Friends of Baltimore Classical Music, Inc. and Founder of the Elville Center for the Creative Arts, Inc. — a nonprofit dedicated to furthering music education for students with limited means. Mr. Elville had a feature story written about him in the national Super Lawyers Magazine about the Elville Center and his efforts surrounding this initiative. Along with his charitable endeavors, Mr. Elville also supports community organizations such as the Autism Society of Maryland, the Brain Injury Association of Maryland, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Howard County, the Howard County Public Library System Veterans Book Group program, and more. Shannon Goodwin, J.D. — Principal Attorney Shannon Goodwin has been named to the 2026 Rising Stars List for a third consecutive year. In her role as Principal Attorney, she leads Elville and Associates’ Estate and Trust Administration Department along with estate planning and tax planning. Ms. Goodwin guides clients through every aspect of administering estates — from the probate process and inventory reporting, to accountings, final distributions, and all detailed estate tasks. Her insight and dedication help families navigate what can often be complicated and emotionally difficult processes. Her background includes undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University, followed by law school — during which she distinguished herself as a member of the Syracuse Law Review. After graduation, she gained important legal experience working as a Judicial Law Clerk for three years in the Circuit Court for Washington County, and in the District Court for Washington and Frederick Counties. She joined Elville and Associates in 2021, bringing with her a strong foundation and commitment to client care. Shannon F. Ladner, J.D. — Principal Attorney Shannon F. Ladner has earned her place on the 2026 Rising Stars List for the fourth year in a row. She leads the firm’s Estate Planning Department, where she assists clients through every stage of planning — from initial consultation to plan design and implementation, and ongoing updates as laws and life circumstances evolve. Ms. Ladner’s practice emphasizes estate planning and special needs planning. Her work is grounded in a thoughtful, client-centered approach, ensuring that each plan reflects the client’s values, goals, and unique family situation. During law school, she contributed her talents to the Human Trafficking Prevention Project Clinic, representing victims of human trafficking as a Rule 19 Student Attorney. After receiving her J.D., she served as a Judicial Law Clerk for Magistrates Susan M. Marzetta and Lori Joy Eisner in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Before joining Elville and Associates, she practiced at a small law firm in Towson, Maryland where she gained valuable experience representing clients in family law and criminal matters. Sara von Stein Echeverria, J.D. — Associate Attorney 2026 is Sara von Stein Echeverria’s first of what we see as many future inclusions on the Maryland Rising Stars list. Ms. von Stein Echeverria focuses her practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, special needs planning, asset protection, and tax planning. She is known for her thoughtful, client-centered approach and her ability to guide individuals and families through complex planning decisions with clarity, empathy, and care. Sara works closely with clients to develop comprehensive plans that protect loved ones, reflect personal values, and provide long-term peace of mind. Sara earned her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she distinguished herself through academic excellence and legal scholarship. She also holds a Master of Science from Birkbeck College, University of London, and a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Dickinson College. Prior to joining Elville and Associates, her work included humanitarian and immigration-related legal advocacy, experience that continues to inform her compassionate and inclusive approach to client service. Sara is admitted to practice in Maryland and is an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Baltimore City Bar Association. To learn more about this year’s honorees and the entire team at Elville and Associates, please visit www.elvilleassociates.com. The firm is steadfast in its commitment to client education, compassionate legal service, and providing peace-of-mind solutions across estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, and beyond. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com. #elvilleeducation