Testimonials

What They’re Saying

Educators

“The Special Voices experience boosted the children’s self-esteem, self worth, and confidence.  They developed patience, social skills, and learned to take direction from instructors who were not part of their school environment. 

They developed an understanding that the concert was a public event and they needed to be well aware of their surroundings and interactions with new people in new settings.

During this experience the students really came together as a cohesive Special Voices group.  They greatly enjoyed the social interaction with others during the entire process.

Culminating in an all school preview of the video, the stars received accolades from staff and their schoolmates for weeks.  They are very proud of their own movie – starring themselves – and the unforgettable experience of being Special Voices.”

—   Paula Fernandez, conductor for the Special Voices debut concert video.  With over 30 years experience in education, Ms. Fernandez is a special educator and choir conductor at River Street School, Windsor, CT.   The school provides programs for students, ages three to twenty-one, with behavioral, communicative, and neurological disorders.  It is one of the leading institutions in Connecticut specializing in this field. 

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Children

“I’m a Star!”

—   Gleefully announced by a River Street School student and participant in a Special Voices concert.

Parents

“Our children have a hard enough time fitting in as it is; Special Voices is an opportunity for them to feel good about themselves with their peers.

In this instance they aren’t on the outside looking in.  We, the parents are the ones on the outside who have the opportunity to look in – into the smiles on their faces and into their hearts to see the joy that being included brings.

Special Voices is described as a combination of children and music that conveys infectious energy and fun.  This says it all!”

—  Laura-Lee Carroll, mother to Ben, 14 years old, a child with special needs who has perfect pitch and loves to sing.