By Kelly Blake
Best Point Education & Behavioral Health celebrated the opening of the Marianne Klekamp Music Center at the Heidt Center of Excellence with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 5. This state-of-the-art facility is the legacy of Marianne Klekamp, a true lover of the arts and life, inspiring and nurturing the artistic dreams of future generations. The Marianne Klekamp Music Center provides a momentous step toward deepening the integration of music within Best Point’s educational landscape, enriching the lives of our students, and extending the influence of musical arts within Cincinnati and beyond.
“Music has the power to uplift, inspire, and connect people, and we are honored to open the Marianne Klekamp Music Center to share this powerful gift with our community,” says John Banchy. “This center is a testament to Best Point Education & Behavioral Health’s commitment to promoting arts and culture in our community, and we are thrilled to offer such a remarkable facility to our aspiring musicians.”
Donald Klekamp with plaque of Marianne Klekamp. Photo provided 
John Banchy, Commissioner Denise Driehaus, Amy Geers, Donald Klekamp, Greg Tassone, and Dr. Karen Bankston. Photo provided 
Greg Tassone, Donald Klekamp, Amy Geers, John Banchy Best Point Education & Behavioral Health President & CEO. Photo provided 
CoStars Teachers & Students, Commissioner Denise Driehaus, Amy Geers, Donald Klekamp, Greg Tassone, and Dr. Karen Bankston. Photo provided 
Marianne Klekamp. Photo provided 
Stacey Hill-Simmons Best Point Education Superintendent, Heidt Center of Excellence Student, and Kent Butts, KING Records. Photo provided
The celebration included introductions from John Banchy, Best Point Education & Behavioral Health President & CEO, a City Proclamation by Commissioner Denise Driehaus that Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, was Marianne Klekamp Day in Hamilton County, remarks from Don Klekamp, special thanks from Stacey Hill-Simmons, Best Point Education Superintendent of Schools and remarks from Dr. Karen Bankston, Best Point Education & Behavioral Health Board Chair.
Best Point Education & Behavioral Health transforms the lives of over 16,000 children and their families residing in 176 community locations spanning the Tri-State area — every year. Our 30 community and campus programs reach far and wide. Best Point Education & Behavioral Health now has multiple campuses across Southwest Ohio, and their ever-expanding list of programs and services includes a start-of-the-art campus for autism and preschool services, complete and comprehensive diagnostic services for children and adults to assess for learning disorders, and their own school-based health center. As we help children build the skills and confidence they need to success, we also help their schools, teachers, parents and others they touch.