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Learn more about this year's Education & Literacy Award winner.
Ariana Barrios' relationship with Songcatchers goes back so far, she can hardly remember a time without them in her life. The only child of a single mother from New Rochelle, Ariana started violin lessons at Songcatchers at the age of three and came back year after year. She worked her way through the program, gaining musical proficiency. By the time she was in middle school she gave back to the program by helping the younger students in their classes. She says that having to explain a musical technique to another student helps everyone. She explains, "I find that having to figure out the best way to explain something often helps me to learn the concept as well."
Today Ariana is leading classes with students that are 3 years old, the same age that she was when she started the program. When asked how someone begins to teach a three year old what to do with a violin, she tells them to treat their violin as if it were a baby. “Be very, very gentle,” she tells them.
Currently Ariana plays the violin, piano, ukulele, and is learning the cello. As a senior at New Rochelle High School, Ariana is very busy. Besides her commitments to her students at Songcatchers, she’s a member of the Hispanic Culture Club, the Music Honor Society, and the Symphonic Orchestra. She is also a participant in New Rochelle High School’s award-winning performing and visual arts program, PAVE. She also volunteers her musical talents to accompany church services at St. Vito Parish in Mamaroneck.
Ariana notes that she used her experiences at Songcatchers as the basis for her college application essays. She is looking forward to majoring in music education in college.
The Volunteer Spirit Awards is the premier volunteer recognition event in our region, with an expected attendance of 500 community leaders, business leaders, and elected officials.
Please join us for a celebration of community and kindness on Friday, May 5th at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
For more information, please visit www.volunteernewyork/awards, or contact Matt Soper, Director of Development at matt@volunteernewyork.org.
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