May 12, 2026
Lights, camera… Soundscapes 🎥✨
Carol and Jeremiah stopped by 12 On Your Side in Chesterfield to share more about Soundscapes and the work happening in our communities.
We’re always grateful for opportunities to spread the word about our students, our programs, and the power of music 🎶💛
April 21, 2026
Carol and Jeremiah were on ABC 8News – WRIC’s Showcase to talk about our newest program in Chesterfield County and the benefits of learning music. Check out the video below!
February 26, 2026
Couldn’t make it to 2026’s For the Love of Music Gala? Check out the recording of the evening above!
February 25, 2026
Take a behind-the-scenes look at Soundscapes in action. This program tour video, which premiered at our For the Love of Music Gala, shares the heart of our mission through the students, teaching artists, and communities that make our work possible. Experience how music creates connection, confidence, and opportunity every day at Soundscapes.
December 31, 2025
2025 has been a memorable year filled with extraordinary experiences for our students and firsts for our program! Hear from Executive Director Carol Minter, Co-founder and Program Director Rey Ramirez, and several of our students.
August 29, 2025
Our students spent camp rehearsing, learning, and growing through music—with the guidance of our amazing teaching artists. Summer camp helps fill the gap over the summer and prepares students to start the new school year ready to dive into our full program. Hear directly from our students and teaching artists about what made this summer unforgettable!
May 22, 2025
This new Anthem was written by Soundscapes students and created in partnership with Kid Pan Alley. It was performed as the finale during our May 4th, 2025, concert as part of the Virginia Community Music Festival.
December 23, 2024
Executive Director Carol Minter and Program Director Reynaldo Ramirez share exciting highlights from 2024 in this insightful video. From program successes to new initiatives, they reflect on the achievements of the past year and look ahead to the future, offering a glimpse into the organization’s growth and continued commitment to making a lasting impact.
October 16, 2024
Debuted at the 2024 Soundscapes Gala, this video features parents of Soundscapes’ alumni and current students sharing their experiences with the program.
December 20, 2023
Rey Ramirez and Carol Minter share highlights from the 2023 calendar year.
November 28, 2023
La Vida is a PYO student composition reflecting the realities, challenges, and joys of growing up and beginning to face new responsibilities.
The Process: In January of 2023, the Peninsula Youth Orchestra Symphony Orchestra worked with Soundscapes Creative Content Manager Joe Hamm to collectively compose a piece of music. Students learned to and were guided to build a subject theme, determine an instrumentation, write words, and compose instrumental melodies. These elements were assembled over the course of five weeks for a total of about 6 total hours of instructional time including rehearsal.
Teaching Artist Team:
Joe Hamm
Westley Benson
Suzanne Warner
Rey Ramirez
A collective composition project of the Peninsula Youth Orchestra.
September 13, 2023
At Soundscapes we invest in our communities by providing immersive, engaging, music-making, and ensemble performance opportunities for young people to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills. We make music learning accessible and fun for students from early elementary school through early adulthood. Soundscapes offers free daily after-school music programs, an affordable regional youth orchestra, and several week-long summer camps. Learn more at www.Soundscapes.org
Voices:
Noah Hill – Floutist, 6th Grade
CJ Baker – Trumpeter, 2nd Grade
Jemon Windham – Percussionist and Trombonist, 8th Grade
Jordan Hill – Cellist, PYO 12th Grade
Westley Benson – Wind Band Director
Alana Lunsford – Violinist, 5th Grade
Elijah Johnson – Percussionist, PYO 11th Grade
Krystal Stokes – Violinist, 8th Grade
Catina Billups – Connection Specialist
Joe Hamm – Creative Content Manager
Karma Karter – Cellist, PYO 12th Grade
Sara Balgoyen – Development Director
Carol Minter – Executive Director
Rey Ramirez – Program Director
May 31, 2023
Blues legend Bobby BlackHat joins the Peninsula Youth Orchestra on stage to perform his original song “I Hear Mama’s Voice” at the American Theater in Hampton, Virginia.
Written by Bobby BlackHat Arranged by Hamed Barbarji Edited by Rebecca Brown Orchestra Conducted by Rey Ramirez
April 4, 2023
Congressman Bobby Scott joins Carol at the traveling teal table for a conversation at The American Theatre in Hampton, just before a Peninsula Youth Orchestra concert. Hear the big announcement Congressman Scott made during the concert and find out what it means for the future of Soundscapes! Join us for an in-depth and behind-the-scenes look at Soundscapes and the community it serves. Soundscapes is a nonprofit organization in Newport News, Virginia that uses music education and performance to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills in young people from early elementary school through age 25. Programming is provided for free or on a sliding scale, making the benefits of music accessible to all. Learn more at soundscapes.org.
January 23, 2023
Meet Catina Billups, the Connection Specialist with Soundscapes, and learn about what she does at the Carver Elementary daily program.
