Making music, changing lives: Youth orchestras help at-risk kids [northcarolinahealthnews.org]

John Flores 1/14/224:00 AM

By Elizabeth Thompson, Illustration: Elizabeth Thompson, North Carolina Health News, January 13, 2022

Bethany Uhler Thompson didn’t know what to expect when she decided to start a youth string orchestra at Chatham Youth Development Center.

She was inspired by her uncle, who was incarcerated and had confided in her how isolating being in prison could be. Thompson used to perform with her cello in a juvenile detention center when she was younger, but she wanted to get incarcerated people involved in the community of music makers.

That’s how Chatham Strings was born.

For about two years, Chatham Strings, an orchestra made up of donated violins, cellos and one viola helped incarcerated children explore creativity, teamwork and accomplishment. COVID-19 stalled the program in 2020, and then Thompson graduated from her program and moved to California.

[Please click here to read more.]

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