Community Through Music

Using the power of music to inspire, educate, and connect children and communities.

WHY WE DO IT

S'Cool Sounds was founded early in 2002 out of a desire to share the joy of music-making with NYC children. Since graduating music conservatory, I had always enjoyed opportunities to teach aspiring young professionals as well as communicate with and connect to audiences. The richness of my own experiences, however, magnified a painful awareness that many children in my community faced barriers to accessing their own musical voices. The process of learning to play an instrument far transcends the music it generates, with gains in self-expression, connectivity, and creativity that literally impact a lifetime. I founded S'Cool Sounds so that I could share this transformative experience with the children of my community.

—Nina Stern, Artistic Director

We envision a world in which all people have access to the transformative experience of making music together.

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OUR ANNUAL IMPACT

Having a student body actively engaged in making music has brought a great sense of accomplishment and enjoyment into the lives of these children.

—Laura Garcia, Former Principal, The Ella Baker School, Manhattan, NY

OUR PROGRAMS

We focus on musical traditions from around the world and explore cultural connections locally and globally.

NYC

SCS offers elementary, middle, and high school students a core education in music through learningthe elements of music making and music literacy.Our innovative approach uses recorders, ukulele, and percussion as introductory instruments, universal in nature, which are learned easily and may complement many different classroom curricula. Singing and vocal arts are also central to SCS programs.

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First established in 2010, the S’Cool Sounds project in Kenya is now in residence in three primary/middle schools in the Kibera neighborhood of Nairobi: FAFU (Facing the Future School), Mobjap School (Garden of Hope), and The Center of Hope School.