Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, in Collaboration With SJC Cultural Events Inc., Launches Music Enrichment After-School Program in St. Johns County
Program aims to bring the power of music into the lives of students in St. Johns County
This news release is provided courtesy of the St. Johns County Cultural Events, Inc.
Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, in collaboration with SJC Cultural Events, Inc. (SJCCE), the non-profit organization that manages Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and The St. Augustine Amphitheatre, has launched an 18-week Spring Music Enrichment After-School Program at three community locations across St. Johns County: W.E. Harris Community Center, American Legion Post 194, and Ketterlinus Elementary School.
The Spring Music Enrichment After-School Program provides free, weekly, one-hour music enrichment sessions for small groups of 10 to 15 students in third through fifth grade at each site through May 20. Led by board-certified music therapists from Soundwave Music Therapy, a Jacksonville-based music therapy practice, the program uses evidence-based approaches to support participants’ social, emotional, and communication development. Students learn to play the ukulele, explore rhythm through instruments such as rhythm sticks and egg shakers, and engage in singing and movement activities designed to encourage self-expression and connection. Musical instruments used in the program were funded through a grant from the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach. Funding for the program was made possible through a grant from the PNC Foundation, which supports educational programs for children and youth.
The Spring Music Enrichment After-School Program builds upon evidence-based research conducted during a five-week pilot program held last summer in West Augustine through a strategic alliance between Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and Florida State University’s College of Music. During the pilot, more than 40 students in kindergarten through fourth grade participated in music enrichment activities led by FSU PhD student interns who are also board-certified music therapists. The pilot program demonstrated that music enrichment activities improved social interaction, increased joy and engagement, strengthened peer connections, and positively impacted the emotional well-being of participants. A video highlighting the pilot program’s activities and outcomes can be viewed HERE.
“This music enrichment curriculum is a great expression of our vision to bring the power of music into the lives of people,” said Duane Lupinski, President of Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. “We are pleased to incorporate principles of music therapy in a manner that will improve the quality of lives of these students.”
“Through our partnership with Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and SJC Cultural Events, we are working to add to the evidence base in music therapy and translate the existing research into services that meet community needs,” said Dr. Lori Gooding, professor in the FSU College of Music. “Together, we are committed to increasing access to music services that can enhance health and well-being now and in the future.”
By providing research-informed music enrichment in St. Johns County, Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and SJCCE aim to establish music as a powerful resource for youth development, while supporting learning, well-being, and community connection.
“Programs like this let us take our mission beyond the walls of our venues and put it directly into the community,” said Gabe Pellicer, CEO & President of SJC Cultural Events, Inc. “Giving kids access to music in a meaningful way is one of the most impactful things we can do, and we’re proud to support a program that helps students grow socially, emotionally, and creatively.”
“When we invest in our children, we invest in the future of our community,” said Joy Andrews, County Administrator of St. Johns County. “Programs like this remind us that music is more than an art – it’s a way for children to feel seen, heard, and connected. By bringing music directly into after-school spaces across St. Johns County, we’re creating moments of joy, confidence, and belonging for our young people. I’m deeply grateful to Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, SJC Cultural Events, and the PNC Foundation for their partnership, for their trust in the County, and for choosing to share this journey with us — a responsibility we do not take for granted.”
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