S'Cool Sounds

We’re grateful to announce that we are recipients of the Find Your Light Foundation's 2026 grant! Their support allows us to bring multicultural music programs and resources to schools, ensuring that children and communities have access to the transformative experience of making music together. Find Your Light is dedicated to supporting exceptional arts programs where the need is greatest, recognizing arts education as an essential part of a young person’s development. Thank you, Find Your Light, for championing the power of the arts and helping us make a lasting impact!

At Khalil Gibran International Academy, SCS Teaching Artists Marwan Allam & Nezih Antakli brought Ya Habibi: A Musical Journey through the Arab World to life, celebrating heritage through song.

👉 Watch the full video https://youtu.be/h6vDbfF1brE?si=6TCKc3IDfbjrvf9_

March is Music in Our Schools Month! At P.S. 24 in Sunset Park, S’Cool Sounds Teaching Artist Sam Bardfeld has spent more than three years building a violin program that grew from a small club into a polished ensemble. This year, the group was selected to represent their school at the district-wide arts showcase, performing American folk tunes that highlight their musical growth and the strong partnerships behind the program.

bardfeld

Last month, S’Cool Sounds Teaching Artists led Black History Month assemblies at schools across Brooklyn and Manhattan. Inspired by our Jazz and the World of Black American Music curriculum, students celebrated the legacy of Black American music and wrote their own blues.

Exciting professional development ahead! This month Artistic Director Nina Stern and Teaching Artists Kenneth Jimenez and Marwan Allam will lead hands-on workshops, sharing tools and strategies for teaching recorder, ukulele, and percussion to elementary music educators. Come learn with us!

Our collaboration with the NYC Public Schools Arts Office continues to grow! More and more teachers are requesting in-school residencies after attending S’Cool Sounds workshops. Together, we’re expanding access to meaningful music education.

S’Cool Sounds Teaching Artists partner with NYC Public Schools to lead professional development workshops that explore diverse musical traditions and equip teachers with free Learning Resources—empowering creativity, confidence, and joyful music-making in every classroom!

Collaboration spotlight on the African Women’s Orchestra! AWO brings together talented female musicians from across Africa to create, perform, and mentor the next generation of women in music. Blending traditional and contemporary styles, they champion education, collaboration, and creative opportunity. Proudly co-founded by Wandiri Karimi, cultural leader and S’Cool Sounds Advisory Board member.

Music in action at the Center of Hope School, Kibera! Workshop participants observed the SCS method firsthand as SCS/CT students showcased their skills and enjoyed an inspiring performance by the professional bands.

While in Kenya, members of the AP Band, KWS Band, and African Women’s Orchestra came together for hands-on learning in S’Cool Sounds teaching methods. Nina, Nancy, and Wandiri passed out a recorder to each participant and demonstrated SCS’s approach to instrumental and ensemble learning.

Exciting new connections at the Kenya Wildlife Service! Conversations with KWS leadership and the KWS Band centered on collaboration ideas, future employment opportunities, and how to use S’Cool Sounds online resources.

Nina and Nancy Jo kicked off their Kenya visit with a full-day workshop for the African Women’s Orchestra, focusing on how strong individual practice (like listening, preparation, and discipline strategies) creates powerful ensemble performances. Organized by AWO Co-Founder and SCS Advisory Board Member Wandiri Karimi, the day also opened doors to exciting new partners: the Administration Police Band and Kenya Wildlife Service Band.