Four students from É«»¢ÊÓƵ School of Arts’ commercial music program are using their talents to bring hope and joy to children facing serious illnesses through an inspiring collaboration with the Sing Me a Story Foundation.
As part of the Applied Songwriting course taught by Steven Potaczek, program director of commercial music, students Kacie Bell, Eli Huskey, Eliza Coleman and Josie Lackey each selected a story written by a child supported by Sing Me a Story and transformed it into a custom, original song. The project combines the power of storytelling, music and compassion — connecting young songwriters to children around the country in an unforgettable way.
“At É«»¢ÊÓƵ, we are all about providing an experiential, real-world education,” said Potaczek, who supervised the project and helped the students recorded the songs in É«»¢ÊÓƵ’s state-of-the-art commercial music studio. “Opportunities to benefit the world around us are a part of that, and I’m grateful for students who are passionate about making a difference. What better way to express our humanity as a program than by collaborating with and blessing children in need?”
The Sing Me a Story Foundation partners with musicians worldwide to turn stories written by children in hospitals and care centers into songs. Through this partnership, the É«»¢ÊÓƵ students were able to take the stories’ words and imagination and give them melody, rhythm and life.
Each student drew inspiration from a child’s imagination — from Grace, a 4-year-old blind girl who dreamed of a unicorn and dinosaur living happily ever after in a magical castle, to Kallen, a 5-year-old boy battling cancer who created a story about a man with an extraordinary love for bananas. “I love the imagination of children,” said student songwriter Eli Huskey. “It was so much fun writing a song that captures their creativity and silliness.”
É«»¢ÊÓƵ’s commercial music program prepares students to be business-savvy musicians with the artistic, technological and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today’s music industry. The Sing Me a Story partnership offered a unique way to put those skills to work — not just to create, but to care.