Third Street Student Spotlight

May 2024

Anna and Michael,

Piano and Violin Students

Sister and brother Anna and Michael’s Third Street journey began through the Third Street Partners' program. Initially drawn to string instruments, Anna started her first music lessons on the guitar while Michael took up the violin. During the pandemic, Anna began teaching herself piano. Enjoying the instrument’s versatility, she transitioned from guitar to piano lessons at Third Street, embracing a new avenue of musical expression. Michael continued with the violin, honing his skills as one of the youngest members of the Con Spirito Saturday Orchestra and as a part of the Barbara E. Field Chamber Music Program. Though they chose different instruments, Michael and Anna share a love for composition and are both passionate about sharing their creations with the world. As their Dad said, “Third Street Music School has become more than just a place of learning for Anna and Michael; it is their home away from home, where they feel safe, supported, and inspired to be the best versions of themselves.”

To hear more from Anna and Michael about their journey, watch our video feature.

Third Street Student Spotlight

April 2024

Jade,

Jazz and Percussion Student

Jade used to think that rock was all that drumming could be. It wasn’t until Third Street’s jazz instructor Neal Kirkwood invited her to play in her brother’s recital that she was introduced to the world of jazz. After the performance, she soon joined the Jazz Prep Band and began percussion lessons. At Third Street, her teachers introduced her to a whole new set of grooves. As she learned the styles of jazz, reggae, and bossa nova, the possibilities of her instrument and creativity expanded. It wasn’t just the skills she was learning growing her musicality, but the motivation of Third Street teachers that “made her feel like she can do anything.” For Jade, Third Street’s supportive environment is what continues to fuel her passion to play drums.

To hear more from Jade about her journey, watch our video feature.

Third Street Student Spotlight

March 2024

Soren,

Musical Theatre, Jazz, Production, Piano, Trumpet, and Choir Student

Soren’s drawings decorate the Student Services office like a second home. He can often be found there in between lessons, working on homework alongside his mom, Loyi Malu, the Director of Student Services, Inclusion & Engagement. When he was eighteen months old, she enrolled him in Early Childhood Music classes and Third Street Preschool, beginning Soren’s lifelong connection to both music and Third Street. Through the Preschool Instrument Prep program, Soren was introduced to his first instrument, the piano. His involvement with music and Third Street continued to grow after graduating from the preschool. He soon found himself in weekly piano lessons and choir. As an elementary school student at Third Street Partner School, Children’s Workshop School, he also was able to take percussion and dance lessons with Third Street faculty during the school day. Music and dance classes eventually led him to Musical Theatre, where he discovered a passion for acting. In Musical Theatre, he felt his creativity grow as he learned to express new emotions, embody a wide range of characters, and work in an ensemble. Enjoying the collaborative atmosphere of Musical Theatre, Soren was inspired to bring his instrumental skills into a group program as well. He joined the Jazz Prep Ensemble as a pianist and vibraphonist, learning skills of improvisation that would lead him to songwriting. Recently, Soren has ventured into the world of music production. Combining his musical, improvisational, and theatrical skills, he aspires to make music like his icon, Busta Rhymes.

To hear more from Soren about his journey, watch our video feature.

Third Street Student Spotlight

February 2024

Amanda and Sophie,

Ballet Student and Violin Student

Mother and daughter, Amanda and Sophie’s Third Street journey is intergenerational. For Sophie, it began before she was born with her mother Amanda. A student at Third Street Partner school, (MS63, The Neighborhood School), Amanda remembers being one of the only kids in her community to get music and dance classes. A child who loved to dance and sing, ballet classes became important throughout her childhood. When Amanda became a mother and discovered her daughter’s school was also a Third Street Partner school, she was eager for Sophie to experience the same program that meant so much to her growing up. Following in her mother’s dance steps, Sophie immersed herself in Third Street beginning at age four, taking choir, dance, and most recently, violin. For Sophie, sharing the experience of Third Street with her mom has brought them closer. Many of their conversations always seem to come back to their love for music, dance, and the community where they live, Third Street.

To hear more from Amanda and Sophie about their journey, watch our video feature.

Third Street Student Spotlight

January 2024

Anna,

Piano Student

Anna’s Third Street experience began in kindergarten with Saturday’s of hopscotch and tag in the courtyard followed with group lessons filled with musical games. Inspired by her Nonna [Grandmother] who gifted Anna her first piano, Anna began piano lessons with Marcia Lewis soon after joining Third Street. She remembers playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” at her first recital while admiring the older students renditions of Bach and Chopin. Today, she plays pieces by those very composers, with younger students now looking up to her. Beyond piano, Anna also has performed in musical theatre under the guidance of Kaitlin Stark and has studied music theory. With the support of peers, family, and teachers, Anna found her confidence grow through each musical theatre performance and piano recital. As a musician, her training at Third Street has allowed her to easily pick up other instruments, including the Ukrainian national instrument, the Bandura, which serves as a unique connection to her cultural heritage. For Anna, her musical journey at Third Street hasn’t just enriched her own life. Through every recital and community event, Third Street has become a special place for her entire family to come and spend quality time together. 

To hear more from Anna about her journey, watch our video feature.

Third Street Student Spotlight

December 2023

Khalil,

Guitar and Rock Band Student

Khalil's journey at Third Street began with the Early Childhood Music Education program, Musicianship lab. Starting guitar lessons at the age of five with his teacher Gaku, music quickly became a central part of his life. At age nine, he joined the Rock Program where he found a creative outlet for self-expression. A fan of classic Rock, Khalil was excited by the opportunity to play songs from his favorite bands. His time at Third Street has fueled his dream of becoming a musician and composing music inspired by the Rock artists he admires. Beyond the music, Khalil cherishes the sense of community he's found at Third Street over the years. For him, it's not just about the music; it's about the relationships that have become a significant part of his journey along the way.

To hear more from Khalil about his journey, watch our video feature.

Third Street Student Spotlight

November 2023

Savannah, Valerie, and Larissa, Ballet, Guitar, and Choir Students

Savannah, Larissa and Valerie Torres Third Street journey began at their public school through the Third Street Partners program. Introduced to music, dance and drumming, the sisters took that introduction and embraced all that Third Street has to offer. As dancers and musicians, they've participated in a wide range of classes, performances, and programs including; tap dance, choir, rock band, guitar lessons, hip-hop, and African dance. They have been cast in the annual Third Street Nutcracker production and they have danced in the rain representing Third Street at the NYC Dance Parade. Savannah, the oldest, was the first to join Third Street in first grade, beginning with ballet. Her younger sister Valerie followed soon after, and experimented with a variety of instruments before following in Savannah’s example and joining Rock Band as a guitarist. Larissa, the youngest, likes to “follow in her sister’s footsteps” and enjoys being in all the same programs as her older sisters. The Third Street community means a lot to the sisters, because sharing a love for music and dance at Third Street, has brought them closer together.

To hear more from Savannah, Valerie, and Larissa about their journeys, watch our video feature.

Third Street Student Spotlight

October 2023

Iloa, Violin Student

Iloa’s connection to Third Street has been lifelong, starting when she was a baby accompanying her older brother to his guitar lessons. At first only a spectator, Iloa soon followed in her brother’s musical footsteps and began her own Third Street journey with ballet lessons at age four. At five, she moved from dance to music, taking violin lessons and then soon after theory and composition. Since then, Iloa has performed in several music hours as a soloist and plays with the Saturday Orchestra - Philharmonia, the ISO at Third Street Symphony, and the Barbara E. Field Chamber Music Program. She aspires to take music with her beyond Third Street one day as a soloist or chamber musician.

To hear more from Iloa about her journey, watch our video feature.

Third Street Student Spotlight

September 2023

Liam, Cello Student

Liam first walked through Third Street’s doors as a preschooler. Then in third grade, he began his musical journey at Third Street with cello lessons. Over the years he has honed his craft and connection with the Third Street community as a member of the Philharmonia Saturday Orchestra and the Barbara E. Field Chamber Music Program.

To hear more from Liam about his journey, watch our video feature.