LaValley Richey, Pablo Oquendo II, Celestino Oqendo, Bonnie Bowerman, Lorettta Jones, and Robert Cabera

The team’s innovative teaching idea, “Titans Youth String Orchestra,” focuses on teaching K-5 students who do not have access to music education the fundamentals of playing the violin and learning how to read music. During the year, students will be instructed by experienced musicians after school for two hours per week, and one-on-one sessions will be available as needed. The goal is to prepare these students for their first orchestra concert. The team hopes this program will allow students to experience firsthand the benefits of learning how to play a musical instrument, like the violin, to help them develop their mental, emotional and social skills. The Voya grant will be used to help purchase the musical instruments.