Music With A Cause

Musical Tributes to Boston by PS 22 Chorus, Neil Diamond, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

April 22, 2013

There’s nothing like music to bring solace in the wake of a disaster. Over the past week, the PS 22 Chorus, Neil Diamond, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra each paid a musical tribute to Bostonians in the wake of the tragic April 15 marathon bombings. Staten Island’s PS 22 fifth-grade chorus, best known for their [...]

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The Overdue Conversation Brad Paisley’s Accidental Racist Has Sparked

April 12, 2013

The other day, on my way home from work, I heard about Brad Paisley’s new song “Accidental Tourist,” in collaboration with L.L. Cool J, from his new album, Wheelhouse. As a Texican (Mexican-American raised in Texas), I can’t say I was ever a huge country fan, but curiosity set in and I chose to listen [...]

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121212 Sandy Relief Concert: Bon Jovi, Rolling Stones, The Who, Kanye West and More To Perform In Live Global Simulcast

December 11, 2012

It’s been a little over a month since the megastorm, Sandy, struck the east coast. I can only imagine what it’s like to pickup the pieces after losing a home and all my belongings. Tomorrow, on 12-12-12, some the biggest music artists in the world will convene together in a live simulcast concert to help [...]

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Red Chili Peppers and Chaka Khan Give Tribute to Trayvon Martin

April 2, 2012

As the conversation becomes more visceral, hateful, disdainful, and downright disrespectful to a murdered teen with certain individuals in the press attempting to circumvent the core issue, I can’t help but think how Florida has trashed the Constitution. The NRA and the GOP are major proponents for individuals having the right to carry a gun [...]

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Teens Can Fight for Music Education in Third Annual Battle for the Bands Campaign

February 29, 2012

Contrapuntist and I both believe strongly in the importance of music education. I’m a Suzuki violin teacher, and subscribe wholeheartedly to the idea that music is the best way to create a global community. Contrapuntist is a real-life example of how music can save someone’s life (read more about Contrapuntist’s story here). That’s why we [...]

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Celebrate Human Rights with Amnesty International and Bob Dylan Song Collection

December 12, 2011

I am delayed in posting this, but better late than never. December 10 was Human Rights Day and Amnesty International celebrated the day by premiering Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International on the organization’s Facebook Page. Selections are currently still available to listen to through Facebook. Saturday also helped [...]

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Help Bring the World Together through Music by Supporting the Suzuki Association of the Americas

October 17, 2011

There are lots of people out there who want to change the world, but very few who actually do anything about it. Violin instructor and musical pedagogue Dr. Shinichi Suzuki was one of the few. In the years following World War II, he decided that he wanted to use music to help make the world [...]

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DIRTY DANCING Songwriter Hopes to Raise Funds for Cancer Charity in Memory of Patrick Swayze

July 20, 2011

As a girl who grew up in the 80s, I would rate Dirty Dancing pretty high on my list of nostalgic guilty pleasure movies. Like many others, I was deeply saddened when the movie’s leading man Patrick Swayze recently passed away of pancreatic cancer. The film’s 25th anniversary is approaching next year, and Oscar-winning Dirty [...]

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Your Artistic Voice May Create a World with Less Cancer and More Birthdays

July 14, 2011

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is launching a fantastic contest for musicians and artists to share their talents and support a great cause. You’ve probably seen the ACS’s TV spots, where celebrity entertainers such as Celine Dion, Rihanna, Eric Carle and Usher sing “Happy Birthday”. Well now, everyday folks can join in with the ACS’s [...]

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Get Ready For the Film DUDAMEL: Let the Children Play

June 12, 2011

Music has the power to save lives. When I first started blogging, three years ago (crazy how time flies), I shared my own story. I grew up lost as a teenager unsure what path I should follow. If it wasn’t for a couple of people who recognized my talent and encouraged me to pursue music, [...]