Songcatchers celebrated the culmination of a summer of cultural exploration, music, and life-skills development with a Dress to Impress Lunch at the Bib Gourmand, Maria’s Restaurant in New Rochelle. The event provided 41 young participants with a unique opportunity to apply the social skills, cultural awareness, and confidence they developed at the Songcatchers’ Summer Music Program.
Made possible through the THRIVE Grant, a partnership between the City of New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Campership Fund and direct funding from the New Rochelle Campership Fund, this multi-faceted program was designed to provide local youth with meaningful experiences that combine arts education, cultural learning, mentorship, and essential life skills.
The summer journey began with learning songs from Aladdin with Songcatchers’ Choral Director, Robert Puleo, and discovering the musical traditions and cultural influences represented in the show. Children and Summer Youth Employment workers were introduced to the power of live theater, storytelling, and music by attending a Broadway experience at Disney’s Aladdin at the historic New Amsterdam Theatre (see photos) by a charter bus.
The program offered many additional opportunities for participants to experience music in creative and meaningful ways.Certified sound bath technician, Urania Castaneda introduced students to music therapy through an engaging session featuring sounding bowls, giving participants an opportunity to explore the ways sound and music can support relaxation, focus, self-awareness, and well-being.
Students also explored the history of classical music through instruction by Debra Whitman, who introduced them to famous composers and the stories behind their music. These lessons helped participants connect the music they were hearing and performing with the people, cultures, and historical periods that shaped it.
To deepen this exploration, Songcatchers welcomed Armelle Gloaguan of Armelle for Kids, whose “Building Bridges with Music and Languages” program introduced students to Middle Eastern music, dance, and instruments. Through an interactive cultural presentation and live performance, students learned how music can connect people across cultures and create understanding, respect, and community.
The summer experience continued with the Dress to Impress Lunch at Maria’s Restaurant with owners Giovanni & Peter Cuccolo, where students utilized the confidence and cultural awareness they gained through music and programming and applied it to important social and professional skills. Participants ages 5–13, along with Summer Youth Employment counselors ages 14–20, participated in an educational dining experience focused on etiquette, communication, and self-confidence.
During the luncheon, students put into practice:
● How a table is properly set
● Dining etiquette and appropriate table manners
● How to correctly hold a fork and other utensils
● Restaurant etiquette, including using an appropriate indoor voice
● The importance of conversation, active listening, and respectful communication
● How confidence and social skills help create positive first impressions
The experience was about more than learning which fork to use or how to sit at a table. It gave participants an opportunity to see themselves in new environments, engage with others respectfully, and understand how confidence and cultural awareness can open doors to future opportunities.
The program also provided a valuable connection to the New Rochelle Youth Bureau’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which helped support the participation and development of young people throughout the summer. Songcatchers worked with the Youth Bureau under the direction of Ariana Barrios, a former Songcatchers participant, and Jennifer
Lanser, Executive Director. The involvement of young adults in the program created opportunities for leadership, mentorship, and professional development while allowing former participants to help inspire the next generation.
For Songcatchers, the connection to Ariana Barrios is especially meaningful. Her journey from Songcatchers participant to a leader working with young people reflects the lasting impact that arts, mentorship, and community-based programming can have on a young person’s life.
By combining music, Broadway theater, cultural education, music therapy, composer studies, mentorship, employment experiences, and practical life skills, Songcatchers’ summer programming demonstrated the value of creating opportunities that support the whole child.
Participants were encouraged to explore new cultures, express themselves through music, build relationships, and develop skills they can carry into school, the workplace, and their communities.
For the young people who took part, the summer offered a reminder that big dreams can begin with small opportunities: learning a new song, experiencing live theater for the first time, discovering the story of a great composer, experiencing the calming power of sound, meeting someone from another culture, or gaining the confidence to walk into a restaurant and know how to conduct themselves with poise.
Songcatchers is grateful to the City of New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Campership Fund for supporting this programming through the THRIVE Grant; to the New Rochelle Youth Bureau for its partnership through the Summer Youth Employment Program; and to the many teaching artists, mentors, counselors, and community partners who contributed their time and expertise.
Together, these partnerships helped create a summer filled with discovery, creativity, cultural understanding, leadership, and opportunity—giving New Rochelle’s young people experiences they can carry with them long after the summer ends.
About Songcatchers
Songcatchers is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and families through music, education, cultural exploration, and community engagement. Through accessible programming and meaningful experiences, Songcatchers helps young people develop their talents, broaden their perspectives, and build the confidence and life skills needed to reach their full potential.
Songcatchers’ work is made possible through the generous support of ArtsWestchester, the Westchester County Board of Legislators, and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), with support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, including local State Assembly representatives. These public and community arts partnerships help Songcatchers continue providing meaningful music and cultural opportunities to children, families, and young people throughout the community.