Free Project STEP Spring Recital Showcases Young Musicians in Boston

<a href="https://www.projectstep.org/events/annual-spring-benefit/">Project STEP</a> Spring Recital in Collaboration with the Tony Williams Dance Center Collaborative Project takes place Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3 pm at Boston College High School. The event is free and open to the public with no RSVP required. Presented by Project STEP (String Training Education Program), the recital showcases talented young musicians performing on violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Project STEP provides long-term, high-quality music training, support services, and scholarships for students from backgrounds underrepresented in classical music, helping them build musicianship, confidence, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the stage. This event is sponsored in part by The Gregory E. Bulger Foundation and supported by the Mass Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, the D’Addario Foundation, and The Mary Saudek Jaffee Fund. The recital will be held at Boston College High School but is not a Boston College High School sponsored event.

Boston College High School

Boston Event to Address Rising Maternal Health Crisis and Racial Disparities in Massachusetts

<a href="https://www.ywboston.org">YW Boston</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;Senator Liz Miranda&nbsp;will convene healthcare leaders, advocates, and community voices for a Kuumba Conversations event on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Kuumba Library, 140 Clarendon Street, 2nd Floor in Boston. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10 a.m., as severe maternal health complications in Massachusetts have nearly doubled over the past decade and disproportionately impact Black women. The discussion will focus on maternal health equity in Greater Boston, highlighting urgent gaps in care, the experiences of women of color, and solutions to address a growing and preventable crisis. The session will examine key priorities including protecting and expanding funding for birth centers and maternal mental health programs, as well as advancing legislation to support economic stability during pregnancy, expand insurance coverage for doula services, and strengthen birth center sustainability and the midwifery workforce. Speakers include leaders from Tufts University School of Medicine, Mass General Brigham, the Bay State Birth Coalition, Neighborhood Birth Center, and other maternal health organizations, offering both policy expertise and lived experiences. Media interviews will be available immediately following the program at 11 a.m.

Kuumba Library

Local Rally for Disability Support and Workforce Funding

<a href="https://roadtoresponsibility.org">Road to Responsibility</a> members, caregivers, and advocates from across the South Shore will gather for the South of Boston Caring Force Rally to call for increased state funding and workforce support for human services. The rally will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the DoubleTree Rockland, located at 929 Hingham Street in Rockland, MA. The event will feature speakers from leading human services organizations, personal stories from individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a legislative panel with State Senator Dylan Fernandes, State Representative Joan Meschino, and State Senator Patrick O’Connor. Key issues being addressed at the rally include increasing funding for human services workforce wages, addressing staffing shortages impacting care, creating student loan repayment programs for workers, and ensuring equitable pay for human services professionals. Road to Responsibility members, caregivers, and staff will be in attendance and available to share firsthand perspectives on how funding and staffing challenges impact daily lives. Road to Responsibility is a Marshfield-based nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Southeastern Massachusetts, helping them live meaningful, independent lives.

DoubleTree Rockland

Project STEP Honors Lecolion Washington at “STEP into Grace” Fundraiser in Boston’s Seaport

Project STEP invites the community to its annual fundraiser, STEP into Grace, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 5:30–9:30 PM at Grace by Nia, 60 Seaport Blvd., Boston. The evening will honor Lecolion Washington, Executive Director of Community Music Center of Boston, as the 2026 recipient of the William Moyer Champion of Change Award. The event will be emceed by Amaka Ubaka of 7NEWS, and guests are encouraged to wear party attire. The evening begins at 5:30 PM with a reception featuring networking, drinks, food, and a live auction, followed by a 7:00 PM program including student and guest artist performances, remarks, and the award presentation. The event concludes with additional networking, with the bar and auction closing at 9:00 PM and the evening wrapping by 9:30 PM. This celebratory evening will feature music, student performances, and community gathering, with all proceeds supporting Project STEP students and programs. As the organization’s most important annual fundraiser, the event supports access to high-quality music education and advances equity in the arts. The William Moyer Champion of Change Award honors the legacy of Project STEP founder William (Bill) Moyer and recognizes individuals who expand access, champion diversity, and create lasting impact in the arts. Project STEP (String Training Education Program) is a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity in classical music through long-term, high-quality string instruction and comprehensive student support. Learn more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.projectstep.org/">https://www.projectstep.org/</a>

Grace by Nia

Free Community Concert Honoring Project STEP Founder William Moyer

Join us on Sunday, March 22 at 3 pm at <a href="https://rockportmusic.org/">Rockport Music’s Shalin Liu Performance Center</a> in Rockport MA for a free community concert as part of Rockport Music’s Education &amp; Community Program. <a href="https://tickets.rockportmusic.org/10405/10406">Tickets are FREE with RSVP and open to the public.</a> This concert is in honor of the late <a href="https://projectstep.networkforgood.com/projects/243466-william-bill-moyer-memorial">William Moyer</a>, Project STEP’s founder. <a href="https://projectstep.networkforgood.com/projects/Remembering%20William%20%E2%80%9CBill%E2%80%9D%20Moyer%20(1929%E2%80%932024)%20and%20the%20most%20famous%20trombone%20solo%20ever%20played%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Last%20Trombone%20%E2%80%93%20Douglas%20Yeo%20%20%20">William (Bill) Moyer</a>, in 1982, then-Orchestra Personnel Manager of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was charged with finding musicians from underrepresented communities in classical music to audition for open spots in the orchestra. He crisscrossed the country and could not find any that had the extensive music training required to take these auditions. His conclusion: “If we’re serious about this, we must start a program.” With initial support from the <a href="https://www.bso.org/">Boston Symphony Orchestra</a> and others in the Boston area, he helped design and launch Project STEP (String Training Education Program) to provide that comprehensive and long-term training, and a lasting connection to the surrounding community. Because of Bill’s commitment to equity in the arts, Project STEP opened its doors in 1982 with 7 students, and graduated its first two students in 1988. Since that time Project STEP has introduced 2,000 children to music through our FOCUS and core programs. In contrast with Boston’s 4-year graduation rates for Black and LatinX students (which declined in 2019 to 76.4% and 67%, respectively), 100% of Project STEP’s graduates attend college or conservatory. Recent Project STEP graduates have attended Juilliard, Harvard, the New England Conservatory, NYU, and Brown. Project STEP graduates have gone on to become orchestra members, founders of other programs modeled on Project STEP, music teachers, and soloists, as well as financial services advisors, doctors, and architects. We consider Project STEP to be a model for creative youth development where music is used to help young people develop key skills and find success throughout their lives. Project STEP is the nation’s FIRST pathways program for college and conservatory students typically underrepresented in classical music. Project STEP would not be here today without William Moyer.

Rockport Music’s Shalin Liu Performance Center 

A Far Cry, Project STEP Collaborate Side-by-Side

A Far Cry presents its annual&nbsp;Side by Side&nbsp;concert at NEC’s Jordan Hall, partnering with students from Project STEP and New England Conservatory in a collaborative performance experience, on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 7:30 PM. Curated by Crier Michael Unterman, the performance brings young musicians and professional performers together in rehearsal and concert. The program features&nbsp;Turceasca&nbsp;by Sapo Perapaskero (Taraf de Haïdouks), arranged by Osvaldo Golijov and Ljova; Igor Stravinsky’s&nbsp;Apollon musagète; Joan Tower’s&nbsp;String Quartet No. 5, “White Water”&nbsp;(arr. Randy Zigler); and two concerti grossi by Arcangelo Corelli (Op. 6 Nos. 3 and 4). Students will join for select works. This is more than a concert. It’s a powerful tribute to the next generation, a standing ovation for caregivers and educators, and a bright spotlight on Boston’s rising talent. You can find information on tickets&nbsp;<a href="https://afarcryorchestra.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FQU000004NalF2AS">here</a>.&nbsp;

NEC’s Jordan Hall

Project STEP Hosts Free Community Concert Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

<a href="https://www.projectstep.org/">Project STEP</a>, a Boston nonprofit dedicated to supporting young musicians who are historically underrepresented in classical music, will host a free Community Concert as part of Project STEP’s Annual Concert and Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 18 at 3 p.m. The event will open with welcome remarks from&nbsp;Élider&nbsp;DiPaula, the new Executive Director of Project STEP. DiPaula is a Brazilian-born arts leader, educator, composer, and performer.&nbsp; The concert will feature performances by Project STEP’s talented young musicians, remarks from honored speaker Dr. Alexandria Russell, a historian, author, and member of the Project STEP Board of Directors, and a collective commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.&nbsp;  Honored&nbsp;speakers include Dr. Alexandria Russell, historian, author, Executive Director of the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail, and a member of the Project STEP Board of Directors. She is a non-resident W.E.B. Du Bois Research Institute Fellow at Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African and African American Research and the author of&nbsp;Black Women Legacies: Public History Sites Seen and Unseen. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Black Women&nbsp;Legacies,&nbsp;a nonprofit organization committed to making her research accessible to all.&nbsp; Dr. Abdi Mohamed Ali is a member of the Project STEP Board of Directors and a former parent of two Project STEP graduates. Trained in educational ethnography at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, he has taught in Boston Public Schools and co-designed an&nbsp;interdisciplinary humanities&nbsp;and writing program at the Boston Arts Academy. Prior to joining&nbsp;WordPowered, Dr. Ali led the expansion of district-based teacher preparation and licensure programs,&nbsp;establishing&nbsp;a multigenerational teacher pipeline.&nbsp;

Burnes Hall, New England Conservatory

Project STEP and Longwood Symphony Orchestra Present an Evening of Music and Mentorship

Project STEP and the Longwood Symphony Orchestra present a collaborative concert under the direction of Jotaro Nakano. The event features Project STEP students alongside acclaimed Latine musicians Karla Donehew Pérez and Paul Laraia, both members of the Grammy Award-winning Catalyst Quartet. The duo will also teach a masterclass for STEP students during the concert weekend. The concert takes place Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA. A pre-concert reception begins at 6:45 pm, followed by the concert at 8:00 pm. All ticket proceeds support Project STEP’s students and programs. Guests can enjoy complimentary refreshments during the reception and performances by both Project STEP and the Longwood Symphony Orchestra. Sponsored in part by Crowell &amp; Moring LLP and the Nellie Mae Educational Foundation.

Jordan Hall

The Runway Show, Boston

Our largest event of the year is the annual <a href="https://runwayforrecovery.org/archive">Runway Show</a> that celebrates those who are in treatment, remembers those who have passed, and inspires us to support those who have been impacted by breast cancer. This is not your typical fashion show—it is a night for all of us to redefine this disease, for us to connect and support one another, and most importantly, to dance in honor of all those impacted by breast cancer. The 19th annual Runway Show, New England will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025 at The Westin Seaport Hotel in Boston. If you are traveling from out of town, and you would like the room block rate at The Westin Seaport, please use this <a href="https://book.passkey.com/go/2025Runway">link</a> to book your stay. And if you would like to sponsor our Runway Show, please learn more <a href="https://runwayforrecovery.org/runway-for-recovery-home/get-involved-with-runway/">here</a>. Watch the highlights from our 2024 event <a href="https://runwayforrecovery.org/runway-show-new-england-2024-copy/">here</a>. If you would like to join our waiting list to be considered as a model for this event, please create a <a href="https://runwayforrecovery.org/runway-for-recovery-home/programs-and-resources/model-program/">model profile</a> and complete your the registration form.

The Westin Seaport Hotel

First Region of the Association of the United States Army to Commemorate U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday with Celebration at Gillette Stadium 

The First Region of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), a nonprofit that supports soldiers, their families, and Army civilians in the Northeast, is pleased to announce its New England commemoration of a historic milestone – the 250th Birthday of the United States Army – with an unforgettable evening of celebration at Gillette Stadium on June 14, 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp; Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased <a href="https://uni.swoogo.com/army/begin">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; The celebration is one of many happening across the country through local AUSA Chapters and will feature keynote speakers and honored guests General David Perkins, 15th Commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Lieutenant General Mary A. Legere, Former Senior Intelligence Officer for the U.S. Army, and Jacob Norotsky, U.S. Army Veteran and motivational speaker for the Wounded Warrior Project.&nbsp; “For 250 years, the U.S. Army has stood as a pillar of strength and service to our nation,” said Greg d’Arbonne, First Region President of the AUSA. “As AUSA does day in and day out, this event is an opportunity for New England residents to honor the Army’s proud legacy, recognize those who serve and have served, and celebrate the future of this esteemed institution.”&nbsp; The celebration will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will feature:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Grand celebratory dinner&nbsp;</li><li>Live entertainment&nbsp;</li><li>Tribute ceremony&nbsp;</li><li>Exclusive opportunities for engagement&nbsp;</li><li>Distinguished keynote speakers, and special guests, including decorated military leaders, veterans, and supporters of the U.S. Army&nbsp;</li></ul>More information about the event can be found <a href="https://uni.swoogo.com/army/">here</a>. In addition to tickets being on sale to the public, corporate sponsorships for the celebration are also available and will help sustain vital programs for soldiers and their families. To learn more about the sponsorship opportunities for this event, click <a href="https://uni.swoogo.com/army/sponsorships">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; About First Region AUSA&nbsp;&nbsp; The First Region of the Association of the United States Army is a nonprofit educational and professional development association serving America’s Army and supporters of a strong national defense across the Northeast. AUSA serves the needs of the Army, its personnel, and their families by educating, informing, and connecting them. It serves Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, providing a voice for the Army, supporting the Soldier, and honoring those who have served in order to advance the security of the nation. To learn more about the First Region AUSA, visit their <a href="https://www.ausa.org/chapters/ausa-1st-region">website</a> or follow them on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/army250birthdayboston/">First Region AUSA</a>.&nbsp;

Gillette Stadium

Project STEP Returns to Symphony Hall in Boston for First Time in Over a Decade With Free Spring Recital 

On Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m., Project STEP will return to the stage at Symphony Hall in Boston for an inspiring spring recital, marking the first time in 15 years that STEP students have performed in this iconic space. This free, community celebration highlights a renewed partnership with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and will feature performances from all of Project STEP’s student musicians, finishing with a full-ensemble finale that celebrates the future of classical music in Boston. These talented young performers are not just students; they represent the next generation of performers, cultural leaders, and changemakers shaping Boston’s artistic future. "The Boston Symphony Orchestra has been integral to Project STEP’s success since our founding, providing educational opportunities, mentorship from extraordinary players, and generous access to their spaces,” said Dr. Ian Saunders, Artistic Director &amp; Interim Executive Director, Project STEP. “Our strengthened partnership reflects a shared commitment to shaping a future where classical music truly belongs to everyone. By opening one of Boston’s most iconic stages to our students, the BSO uplifts the next generation of artists and signal of a future where classical music serves and inspires a broader, more inclusive community."  "It is an immense honor to welcome Project STEP to the stage of Symphony Hall — marking the first time in well over a decade that these extraordinary young musicians have performed here, and a powerful milestone in the BSO’s 40+ year partnership with STEP.  As part of the BSO’s commitment to serving the city of Boston and investing in its future, we are proud to support initiatives that foster access, representation, and musical excellence. This recital reflects the kind of city we are working to build — one where every young person with a dream has the opportunity to grow and thrive at the highest artistic level.  “We believe orchestras must not only preserve tradition, but also nurture new voices, and this performance beautifully embodies that mission." - Chad Smith, President &amp; CEO, The Boston Symphony Orchestra

Symphony Hall

Project STEP’s Annual Fundraiser to Celebrate Over 40 Years of Transforming Music

Project STEP (string training education program), a nonprofit advancing equity in classical music through training, mentorship and performance opportunities for underrepresented youth, is celebrating over 40 years of impact at its “STEP into Grace” annual fundraiser on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Grace by Nia in Boston’s Seaport.&nbsp; The gala is Project STEP’s premier annual fundraiser, with all proceeds directly benefiting Project STEP students, music education, and promoting equity in the arts.&nbsp;As DEI programs face increasing challenges and funding cuts, community-driven support like this is crucial to ensuring that Project STEP’s life-changing work remains accessible to the students who need it most. The gala will bring together 150 of Boston’s most influential creatives, philanthropists, musicians, corporate partners and changemakers, and will celebrate and support Project STEP’s ongoing mission to foster equity in classical music. The evening will include performances by Project STEP’s student musicians, alumni and faculty and the presentation of the inaugural William Moyer Champion of Change Award to Andrés Holder, Executive Director of Boston Children’s Chorus, for his leadership in advancing equity in the arts. The evening will also feature a keynote address by&nbsp;Lee Pelton, President &amp; CEO of The Boston Foundation, and emceeing by&nbsp;Courtney Cole, anchor at WBZ News.&nbsp; Members of the public can reserve tickets&nbsp;<a href="https://projectstep.networkforgood.com/events/81372-2025-step-into-grace">here</a>.&nbsp;

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

danacasullo

Experiences