Watching a VMA Student Government coalesce is like watching star dust gravitate into something truly beautiful -- no need for the James Webb telescope.

The VMA website has been redesigned with improved navigation, updated resources, and a stronger focus on showcasing student leaders and outreach work across the country.

New VMA Officer Pins have arrived, just as student leader Felix Wang travels to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and share his research in music therapy and service through the VMA.

We are excited to welcome middle school and high school musicians joining the VMA community in Cumberland, Rhode Island and San Diego, California. As our network grows, students across the country are discovering how music can bring joy, connection, and service to their communities. We look forward to seeing these young musicians grow as leaders and performers through the VMA. 🎻

On Sunday, April 19, members of the VMA Junior Program will share an afternoon of music with residents in the dementia care unit at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center. Students from Team Newton South High School will perform alongside VMA Director Jonathan, bringing live music and warm musical moments to residents and caregivers.

We are excited to welcome North Hill in Needham, Massachusetts as a new outreach venue for VMA student performances. This partnership will provide meaningful opportunities for Junior Program musicians to share live music with residents while continuing our mission of bringing music into the community.

We are proud to share that VMA Board Member Becca Kasdan recently gave a beautiful chamber music performance at the New England Conservatory. As a dedicated NEC Prep faculty member, Becca brings the same warmth, artistry, and thoughtful musicianship to the stage that she brings to her students and community work.

Chris Farley, as the unforgettable motivational speaker Matt Foley, once asked two teens in an SNL skit, “What do you wanna do with your life?!” Leadership Initiative Gold Track student, Ruslan Ivanov, has an answer — start a VMA club, get it officially approved, and use the school van to bring music to outreach venues.

Rather than separating the arts from essential community needs, our student-led initiatives intentionally support the full ecosystem of a community, from food security and shelter support to emotional healing.

This summer, Junior Program students have not one, but two VMA-staffed performance opportunities in Needham, MA. Concerts will take place at 2:00 PM at One Wingate Way and 4:00 PM at North Hill. Solo students and student clubs are invited to register, with families able to indicate availability for one concert, both, or either.

In a world that often pushes young musicians to “be practical,” this workshop reminded us why music, leadership, and service belong together—and why authenticity matters more than optics.

Leadership in the VMA Junior Program is guided by clarity, fairness, and student voice. Our election windows at the club, state, and national levels give students the time and structure they need to step forward with intention, prepare thoughtfully, and participate in a transparent, service-centered democratic process.

Leadership begins with service, grows through generosity, and shines brightest when students step forward with purpose. This year, the VMA Junior Program is fully integrating service, fundraising, and leadership into the club experience, empowering students to lead with courage, compassion, and community impact.

Through our partnerships with North Hill and The Commons, Volunteer Musicians for the Arts brings student-led, intergenerational performances into senior living communities—creating moments of connection, joy, and shared humanity through live music.

The VMA is proud to spotlight Board Member Rebecca (Becca) Kasdan as she takes the stage for the Expanded Education Faculty Recital at the New England Conservatory. Joined by Victor Cayres and Eugene Kim, this performance reflects the artistic excellence and educational leadership that shape VMA’s mission.

“Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words continue to remind us that compassion and service can bring light into the most challenging moments. That same spirit of hope is reflected in the work of Ronald McDonald House Charities, whose mission has long been to support families facing serious childhood illness with care, dignity, and community. The day before MLK Day, the VMA California Club gave its first public performance at the Ronald McDonald House in Los Angeles, sharing music, hope, compassion, and encouragement with children and families connected to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The first step toward building a legacy at VMA has arrived. We are excited to announce that the nomination form for our inaugural Student Government is now officially available for you to explore.

While the general window to submit individual nomination forms opens in May, we are making the form available now so you can prepare, plan, and envision your role in our school’s future. To keep everyone on track, we will include a reminder in our newsletter each month leading up to the election.

On February 8, VMA welcomes Dr. Jonathan Roberts for a workshop centered on “Leading with Integrity.” An educator and founder of South Shore Piano Music School, Dr. Roberts will share insights on values-driven leadership, educator engagement, and preparing for national outreach as he joins VMA leadership at the upcoming MTNA Conference in Chicago.

After discovering our work on the web, Santé Imanitè and Hebrew SeniorLife reached out to integrate our mission into their community. This collaboration unites Santé Imanitè’s faith-based humanitarian focus on compassion and creativity with Hebrew SeniorLife’s Harvard-affiliated senior care. By investing in our vision, these organizations are making it possible for us to bring humanity to healthcare through regular programming at the Roslindale campus, fostering healthy living and transforming the experience of aging for seniors of all backgrounds.

Music has a unique way of bridging generations, and our latest performance at One Wingate Way in Needham was the perfect testament to that bond. To kick off the VMA’s 2026 monthly partnership with this premier luxury senior living community, our Director, Jonathan Yasuda, took to the keys for an afternoon of storytelling and song.