OUR BLOG

Have you ever wondered what Saturn’s rings sound like, what it would be like to land on Mars, or imagined the music of a storm on Neptune? With a couple of drums, rain sticks, windchimes, a keyboard and pure creativity, our students at Bernice’s Place answered that question for us.

Since beginning of the Community Arts Institute's (CAI)* tenure at Bernice’s Place, part of the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, our team has been inspired by the joy of the students we serve. In addition to serving families in need of housing assistance, Bernice’s Place provides a safe space for children who are unhoused or at risk to socialize and partake in special programming such as ours, and the music program has quickly become a highlight of their week. Taught by Teaching Artists Justin Vedovelli (percussionist) and Stephanie Guenard, students of elementary and middle school age spent the semester exploring sound, rhythm, and storytelling through music.

The Spring 2025 showcase was the culmination of their hard work, and they were all eager to lead the show and perform what they learned and created over the semester. The fourteen students were separated into groups; each of whom were assigned a planet to depict. One memorable performance came during a piece about Neptune. A student layered stormy, organ-like tones on the keyboard, pausing for her four peers to respond with thunderous drumbeats. The performance transported the audience of fellow students, supportive family members, and staff to the planet’s frigid, stormy atmosphere, and was met with warm applause from everyone in the room.

For many of the children, the program isn't just about learning instruments, but about expression and belonging.

Carina Grajales, Bernice’s Place’s program coordinator, shared:

“The music program has been an amazing addition to our offerings. The children always arrive with smiles when it's time for music class. Participating in the music program makes everything better. After a long day at school, it helps the children relax, have fun, and learn new things. They feel like they are part of something special. It is rewarding to hear them express their enjoyment with comments such as:

‘Music has helped me show my feelings without using words.’

‘Music is fun and helps me be creative.’

‘When I grow up, I want to be a music teacher!’”

Our partnership with Bernice’s place is a reminder of how powerful arts education can be in helping young people find their voice and community. The students not only explored the mysteries of space through music, but also discovered their own ability to imagine and shine.

*The Community Arts Institute (CAI), one of IMC’s core programs, works in partnership with schools, libraries, youth detention centers, and community spaces to provide customized artistic residencies. Our top-notch Teaching Artists bring the arts to these sites, teaching art forms such as music production, acting, spoken word, culinary arts, and more. Residencies can range anywhere from single-day sessions to an entire school year.

Interested in bringing the Institute to your community? Contact Darryl Gent: dgent at instituteofmusic dot org