{"id":52070,"date":"2025-04-10T13:30:57","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T17:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/?post_type=cu_story&p=52070"},"modified":"2025-04-14T09:15:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T13:15:33","slug":"building-futures-through-music","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/story\/building-futures-through-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Futures Through Music"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Building Futures Through Music\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

By Emily Putnam<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2007, driven by a deep belief in the power of music, Carleton Honorary Degree recipient<\/a> Tina Fedeski co-founded OrKidstra<\/a> alongside Gary McMillen and Margaret Maria. Inspired by the Sistema model<\/a>, the program uses music to empower children and strengthen communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We were deeply motivated to remove barriers and open a world of possibilities for children from under-served communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“At the heart of OrKidstra is the beautiful combination of musicianship and citizenship, which encourages kids from equity-deserving communities to find their voice through music,” says Fedeski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From its inaugural class of 27 students, over 750 children and youth ages 5-18 from 62 linguistic and cultural backgrounds currently participate in OrKidstra’s free programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fedeski was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa<\/a>, in the Fall of 2024 in recognition of her visionary leadership and extraordinary dedication to fostering positive change for youth through music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n