NOVEMBER 25, 2024 (NEWPORT NEWS, VA) — McIntosh Elementary School students experienced the magic of music firsthand during a special visit from Miss Virginia, Carlehr Swanson, a proud Sing for Hope Ambassador. Swanson, a passionate advocate for the arts and a gifted musician, shared her inspiring community service initiative, “Bridging the Divide: Music is Unity,” with the students, emphasizing the values she shares with Sing for Hope.
Partnering with Sing for Hope and Newport News Public Schools, Swanson captivated the students with stories about how music has shaped her life and led her to pursue her passion. “Music brings us together as a community,” Carlehr shared, echoing Sing for Hope’s mission of fostering connection and joy through the arts. She highlighted the diverse settings where people unite through shared musical experiences, emphasizing the power of music to transcend boundaries and build bridges. “Everyone at a concert is connected through that power and love of music. And it speaks without words; music has the ability to express feelings.”
Miss Virginia, an accomplished pianist and vocalist pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Virginia specializing in critical and comparative studies in music, demonstrated the diverse ways music enriches our lives, from expressing emotions and telling stories to connecting cultures and preserving history. She also highlighted the health benefits of music, including stress reduction, improved heart health, and enhanced memory, underscoring Sing for Hope’s commitment to promoting wellbeing through the arts.
To bring these concepts to life, Swanson led the students in an interactive sing-along, encouraging them to explore their musical interests. Adding to the excitement, Kodiak Kehoe, a senior at Woodside High School’s Arts & Communications Magnet program, performed on a Sing for Hope Piano housed at McIntosh. The Sing for Hope Piano, titled “Delightful Disguise” by Artist Partner Tiffany Murchison, was part of the Sing for Hope Pianos Newport News 2024 initiative, bringing beauty and inspiration to the city.
Swanson’s visit, a testament to the power of Sing for Hope’s mission, left a lasting impression on the students, inspiring them to explore the power of music and its ability to connect, heal, and transform. Her “Bridging the Divide” initiative, in harmony with Sing for Hope and Newport News Public Schools’ values, serves as a powerful reminder of the role of the arts in fostering unity and building stronger communities, underscoring the importance of integrating arts education into the lives of young people.
