Nahsir: "It opened my eyes to a new world"

★ Kids Count - Day 1 ★

Help us raise $40k by May 17 for innovative music education

[donate]

" The experience was mind-blowing.

This was my first time being here and I'd like to say thank you very much because it opened up my eyes to a new world."

-Nahsir, 11th grade, Philadelphia

Nahsir shared those words after a LiveConnections Bridge Session where he got to create rhythms with first-rate musicians. He danced onstage at World Cafe Live alongside an award-winning choreographer. He explored traditions from western Africa, Brazil, the U.S. He experienced a new world. What a gift!

You can help create that world.

We want to raise $40,000 in 10 days through our annual Kids Count Campaign.

That means thousands of Philly kids being inspired by live music through our interactive Bridge Sessions.

It means students writing poetry, creating their own drums, recording original songs through in-school residencies.

It means learning about collaboration, identity, social change.

Isn't that what we want for our kids' education? Let's encourage more kids like Nahsir to step into a new world.

Today is Day 1 of our Kids Count Campaign. From now through May 17, we'll be featuring a different student each day, sharing photos, quotes and stories about the power of music in young people's lives. Donate today, and then follow along!

Thanks for telling Nahsir and thousands of others that they count!

♫ P.S. Help spread the word! Tag @LiveConnections #KidsCount2017 on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and follow us for daily stories about the impact of music on kids.

In our "Rhythmic Body" Bridge Session, Alex Shaw (right) introduces students to the Brazilian martial art capoeira. The session explores how movement and rhythms have changed across generations and geography, from Western Africa to the Americas via the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. [Image: Conrad Erb Photography]

[Top image: Nathea Lee]

About LiveConnections
LiveConnections inspires learning and builds community through collaborative music-making. In 2008, a team of artists, educators and entrepreneurs founded LiveConnections to address declining music education in Philly schools and tap into the people-connecting power of music. Bridge Sessions, our signature interactive educational programs, blend live performances with hands-on activities, introducing urban students and people with disabilities to diverse musical cultures. Our in-school and after-school residencies provide students with sustained, in-depth music-making experiences. In addition, our critically acclaimed LiveConnections Presents concert series features collaborative concerts that cross musical boundaries. We are a nonprofit organization in residence at World Cafe Live. [learn more]

STAY CONNECTED:

Thanks to our 2016-2017 sponsors!

(List includes sponsors at the $2,500 level & up, current as of sending.)

LiveConnections is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Additional support provided in part by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund.

LiveConnections.org is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, tax ID 26-2666641. The official registration and financial information of LiveConnections.org may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

liveconnections.org | 267-295-2947 | info@liveconnections.org