OpporTUNEity Music Connections is proud to announce the beginning of the Summer 2023 songwriting courses at the Worcester County Sheriff's Office (West Boylson, MA). Initially established in 2019, OpporTUNEity's long-standing partnership with the Worcester County Sheriff's Office has allowed for new course offerings & opportunities for a wide inmate population. OpporTUNEity Instructors now teach incarcerated students from the General Population unit and the Substance Treatment Opportunity Program (S.T.O.P Program).

This Summer, Dr. Melissa Martiros (Founder & CEO/Director of Higher Ed Partnerships), Paul Boisvert (Instructor), John Wayne Cormier Jr. (Instructor), and Aedan Madden (Intern) lead three 12-week songwriting courses for inmates of different ages, backgrounds, and musical abilities. These songwriting courses provide inmates with a chance to collaborate with professional musicians and create original songs, develop skills in music literacy, and learn musical instruments.

To begin class, students participate in a 30-45 minute lecture-based discussion about foundational songwriting concepts, such as lyrics, form, and melody. After the lecture, students pair their newfound knowledge with playing musical instruments. Each student has the choice to sing and/or play guitar, bass, keyboard, and percussion.

At the end of the semester, students and instructors will collaborate to present a showcase filled with song, poetry, and writing. Select family and friends of the inmates will be in attendance. The video links to the inaugural Summer showcases will be shared in our next newsletter.

In addition to improving the quality of life and providing a safe, engaging environment for the incarcerated adults, these courses also provide invaluable real-world experience for the collegiate interns studying music education, music therapy, and performance.

The Summer 2023 semester is significant to the OpporTUNEity Instructors for many reasons. Instructor Paul Boisvert began his journey with OpporTUNEity as a Collegiate Intern beginning in the Fall of 2019. Now, nearly four years later, Paul co-teaches three classes as a Lead Instructor.

When asked what he was looking forward to the most this Summer, Paul answered, “After spending four years serving the company as an intern and watching the other teachers lead the class, I couldn’t wait to give it a try. I feel as if I’m able to more directly serve the students and try out ideas with them. It feels like a collaboration, I can explore new techniques/concepts, and get real-time feedback on how to better serve those in my class.”

Instructor, former inmate, and Short S.T.O.P. graduate John Wayne Cormier Jr. co-teaches the classes in the Annex. When asked about his experiences as both a Short S.T.O.P inmate and OpporTUNEity Songwriting Instructor, John Wayne commented, “The fact that I get to give back and help others in recovery never gets old. A couple years ago, I would have never thought I would have such a profound impact on both the students and the staff."

OpporTUNEity Media

Worcester County Spring 2023 Concert

In partnership with the Worcester County House of Corrections.

All songs were co-written inside the jail as a collaborative effort between Worcester County House of Corrections inmates and OpporTUNEity instructors.

Copyright, OpporTUNEity Music Connections® 2023.

Hampshire County Spring 2023 Concert

In partnership with the Hampshire County House of Corrections.

All songs were co-written inside the jail as a collaborative effort between Hampshire County House of Corrections inmates and OpporTUNEity instructors.

Copyright, OpporTUNEity Music Connections® 2023.

Music Worcester Presents: "When The Violin" with Vijay Gupta & OpporTUNEity

In collaboration with dancers and Choreographer Yemeni Kalluri,

Violinist Vijay Gupta (the 2023 Music Worcester Artist-In-Residence) performs pieces by J.S. Bach and Reena Esmail.

OpporTUNEity songwriting students from the Worcester County House of Corrections shared three original works with the audience via video. These students were part of OpporTUNEity's 4th consecutive year of songwriting courses.

“I have been blown away by the impact that the OpporTUNEity music program has had on the inmate population here at the Worcester County Jail and House of Corrections.  Having been involved from the beginning with Melissa and OpporTUNEity, I have seen the program evolve over time and it has constantly exceeded our expectations.  The positive impact that it has on the many men who have participated in it, is unmeasurable.  The final concert is one of the highlights of the year and is attended by many staff members.  We are so glad to be able to offer it at our facility.”   

David Tuttle, Superintendent of the Worcester County Sheriffs Office (West Boylston, MA).

"The songwriting class through OpporTUNEity has had such a positive impact on the men who participated in it.  The men shared how they were able to express themselves through music and writing out the lyrics was therapeutic for them.  They may have been feeling sad, anxious or angry and instead of “blowing up” there was an outlet for their negative feelings.  On the flip side, if they were happy or wanted to express their love, they put these feeling to paper and created a piece of music.

I saw the community building the class created when the men came together each week.  In the first few classes, there was some hesitation, because some participants had songwriting or some kind of music experience, while others were just trying something new.  But from the start, they gave each other feedback, supported one another and together performed a wonderful concert as a collective group.  When they didn’t agree, they talked it out and came to a consensus that all could live with.  It was a beautiful thing to watch unfold.  Each week the men became more confident and they were sharing their songs with other men in their units, further building a community.  The concert performed was great and those who attended raved about it for weeks after.  None of this would have happened without the talented and creative instructors.  They were always challenging and pushing the men to step outside of their comfort zone,  to try something new and positively support the students.  The songwriting class was a success, and I hope we can continue to collaborate with OpporTUNEity in the future!"

Maureen Donelan, Director of Education at the Hampshire County Sheriffs Office & Jail (Northampton, MA)

Pictured above: 2023 Guest Conductor Rick DeJonge

In Partnership with OpporTUNEity, the Central Massachusetts Summer Music Institute for High School Students will begin on August 7, 2023 at South High School Community School in Worcester, MA.

This year, nearly 40 rising 9th-12th graders from 13 different high schools will participate in rehearsals and masterclasses led by world-renowned musicians. Clinicians include Guest Soloist, Harry Watters and Guest Conductor, Rick DeJonge.

For one week, students will follow a schedule similar to the one below:

10:00 a.m.: Breathing Gym

10:30 a.m.: Wind Ensemble Rehearsal

12:15 p.m.: Masterclasses

1:15 p.m.: Wind Ensemble Rehearsal

3:00 p.m.: Leadership Masterclasses

The program will culminate in a public performance (live-streamed for guests unable to attend in-person).

Please email Artistic Director Jeff Conner at worcestermusicinstitute@gmail.com with questions regarding the program.

Get Involved

If you are interested in learning more about OpporTUNEity, please reach out. We are always open to establishing new partnerships with higher education institutions, K-12 programs and schools, correctional institutions and jails, researchers, donors and volunteers.

OpporTUNEity Music Connections

OPPORTUNEITY AND THE OPPORTUNEITY LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF MELISSA S. MARTIROS @ 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.