What could be more fun for children and young adults than to pick up an instrument for the first time and play in a band on a real stage in just 3 months? To perform hard-beat breakdancing in a troupe? Or to learn dances from around the world in original, inspiring choreography? These guests make it happen. Livia Vanaver is a co-director of Vanaver Caravan, a dance company based in New Paltz, New York. Drew Andrews is a director of Energy Company, part of Center for Creative Education in Kingston. Jason Bowman is a director of Rock Academy in Woodstock, New York.

Three of them share their stories of how their programs have inspired and given joy to so many children in the Hudson Valley for decades. Their stories reveal tenacity and ingenuity that allowed them not only to survive but thrive for so long, despite constant struggle to manage finance, outreach, and now pandemic.

The key for their resilience is the openness for collaboration. You will feel the warmth and energy that is generated by working together and supporting each other through this episode.