In the past couple of months I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a fabulous local organization, From the Top. From the Top is a Boston-based, independent non-profit organization that celebrates the power of music made by young people. One facet of From the Top is their Center for the Development of Arts Leaders. CDAL participants are talented high school and college-aged musicians who want to leverage their talents to advocate for the arts in their home communities. These Arts Leaders bring their music programs to retirement centers, schools and most recently, Boston Children’s Museum’s Target $1 Friday Nights.
This partnership truly benefits both organizations mutually. Our visitors get to experience and learn about music and musical instruments from some of the most talented young musicians in the country. The Arts Leaders in turn get first-hand experience performing for a family audience and introducing basic elements of music theory to children ages 2 – 7 years old. One Arts Leader, 16 year old violinist Yoo Jin Ahn reflected:
“Their willingness to just listen and soak in the story and music reminded me of how music is much more than something that is used to win titles… seeing how it allowed me to connect with the kids and bring fun to the group showed how music had been the thing that had united us in that moment despite our differences of age and background.”
Phoung Nghi Pham, an 18 year old pianist from Dorchester, MA had a similar reaction.
“The way they seemed mesmerized by the things that I have taken for granted, like the range of the piano or even the simple act of pressing down a few keys, helped me relive my own fascination with the instrument and the magic it can create.”
Our partnership with From the Top’s Center for the Development of Arts Leaders has inspired our visitors, the Arts Leaders themselves and me as well. Since I work with young children every week, sometimes I forget how refreshing their perspective can be. I think that seeing our young visitors through the eyes of these young adults had a similar impact on me that seeing their music through the eyes of our visitors had on them.
The best thing about this partnership is that it is not over yet! You can find Arts Leaders at Boston Children’s Museum on Fridays February 21st, March 21st, April 11th and May 16th between 6 & 7 pm.
The Power of Play 
here is a research of play in Asian context, refer to it~