On the night of Tuesday, June 24, I sat in the third row of Ozawa Hall with my heart full to bursting. On stage, conductor Jorge Soto led an orchestra of beautiful, talented children—from elementary through high school—who were not only playing their hearts out, but performing with remarkable skill. They played in tune, in synchrony, and with musical intelligence and vigor.
I could not help but think back to a moment 13 years ago in the dining room of our Brookline home. My late husband, Eli, and I had invited the then-director of Berkshire Children and Families (now known as 18 Degrees), Carolyn Burns, to meet a group of young musicians. These young people were being trained through the Abreau Fellowship at New England Conservatory to bring musical excellence and education to children in underserved communities. After listening to their ideas, Carolyn Burns said, “I think this is the direction I’ve been looking for—to bring opportunities for excellence to children here in the Berkshires.”
That conversation marked the birth of Kids 4 Harmony. 13 years later, that initial seed has blossomed into a powerful, vibrant community. What began as a simple idea around a dining room table has grown into a stage full of young musicians discovering joy, friendship, purpose, and accomplishment through music.
Tuesday night’s gala and performance were a heartfelt tribute to Ed Bride, my dear friend and a dedicated, longtime supporter of the program. As the president and founder of Berkshire Jazz, Ed has been an unwavering force in shaping the local jazz scene. Among his many contributions, Ed has played a pivotal role in orchestrating (pun intended) collaborations between Kids 4 Harmony and renowned jazz artists, including Ted Rosenthal and Grace Kelly.
This year, ten students from the program graduated from high school, all of whom are headed to college, many to study music performance or education. As they addressed the audience with warmth, humor, and intelligence, we were not only impressed by their musicianship but by the thoughtful, poised young adults they have become.
Kids 4 Harmony is a program of 18 Degrees, a family service agency led by the inspired and visionary CEO, Stephanie Steed. The program is directed by Sean Elligers, whose musical and personal impact was praised again and again by the graduates. One of the most beautiful aspects of Kids 4 Harmony is its intergenerational spirit: students learn from professional teaching artists, and advanced students—some now in college—serve as mentors, teachers, and role models for the younger children. It is more than just a music program; it is a community where giving and growing go hand in hand.
The concert was conducted by Jorge Soto, who has led both the Boston Pops and Boston Symphony Orchestra ensembles in addition to international and local orchestras. Jorge grew up in Venezuela as part of the famed El Sistema program that inspired Kids 4 Harmony, and is a founding member of the vibrant El Sistema community in Boston and the Berkshires. The evening featured works by both classical and contemporary composers, including an impressive composition by graduating senior Davis Albayeros, who will attend Boston Conservatory at Berklee this fall to study violin performance and composition. The concert concluded with a lyrical performance of the first movement of Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major, played by guest cellist Francesca McNeely.
As I sat there—now, sadly, without Eli—I was filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the music, for the children, for the people and communities who nurture them, and for the enduring power of a simple, workable idea to change lives.
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