PPV Kiddos and Families Learn Ukulele and Tour Western Museum of Flight June 26, 2022
TORRANCE, California May, 2022 — Southern California’s Partners For Pediatric Vision is keeping kids in sight by once again collaborating with Notes Bring Hope, a charitable arm of the Asia America Symphony (AASA), to bring together children with low vision for a day of enrichment June 26, 2022 at the Western Museum of Flight at Torrance Airport – Zamperini Field Meeting Room. Volunteers at Notes Bring Hope share their love of music with children from Partners for Pediatric Vision for a day of discovery, music instruction and collaboration with families.
Visually impaired children will come together to receive ukulele instruction from high school students in the greater South Bay, followed by a group performance by the children, lunch and a tour of the Western Museum of Flight. The children will be gifted ukuleles to keep so that they can practice and share their music with friends and family. The inaugural events of this kind occurred in summer of 2019 and families are excited to be able to participate once again.
Partners for Pediatric Vision’s Founder and Director, Tori Schladen said, “This experience had a positive impact on the children’s self-expression and self-esteem, developing their coordination, rhythm and concentration. It was a wonderful opportunity for fun and meaningful social interaction. We are grateful to AASA for sharing the gift of playing music with our children who have vision loss. It was a time to overcome challenges and shine. I believe it will have a lasting impact on their lives and we are so excited to do it again.”
Participant Mia, age 8, reflected on the 2019 gathering: “I liked the music.” Mia’s grandmother replied: “Being able to share the experience and meet families of other children with visual impairments was so encouraging and the best part.”
Often times children with vision loss don’t have opportunities to participate in school field trips and other enrichment activities. The children and families really look forward to enjoying a day of music and discovery at the Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, a true gem in the South Bay.
AASA Board Member and Notes Brings Hope’s program director Shari Sunada said, “We couldn’t be more pleased with the success of our first event, and we are over the moon to be able to provide this once again. It’s greatly rewarding to share the gift of music with the children from Partners for Pediatric Vision. We could not have done it without the support of our sponsors and volunteers, especially Marianne Matsuda, who, along with some of her ukulele students led the instruction.”
For more information on supporting Southern California children with vision loss, please visit: https://www.partnersforpediatricvision.org/
ABOUT PARTNERS FOR PEDIATRIC VISION:
Partners for Pediatric Vision, a project of Community Partners, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to turn possibilities into achievements for visually impaired children and their families by providing a critical link between healthcare, education and support. The organization provides free education, support and enrichment activities for children with visual impairment ages birth to 18 and their families throughout Southern California. Contact Founder and Director, Tori Schladen, M.A., (323) 612-8185, partnersforpediatricvision@gmail.com
ABOUT NOTES BRING HOPE:
Notes Bring Hope is a charitable arm of the Asia America Symphony Association (AASA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Notes Bring Hope shares the gift of music with economically or physically disadvantaged children through various programs including music therapy and music camps. AASA is dedicated to developing and mentoring young musicians, exposing and promoting music appreciation. Contact Program Director, Shari Sunada (310) 722-3292, sharisunada@gmail.com.
ABOUT ASIA AMERICA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
The Asia America Symphony Association is dedicated to developing and mentoring young musicians by providing educational and performing opportunities in a professional environment featuring classical and jazz concerts and integrating Eastern and Western influences.
https://aasymphony.org/
