January 17, 2026 • 16 mins
An accomplished young musician is about to make her way to Detroit to represent New England in a major music competition! 12-year-old Sofia Hernandez-Williams is a rising star in the cello world, and she's made her way to the top with the help of Project STEP in Boston, which works with young musicians in under-represented communities to offer them opportunities. Project STEP Executive Director Élider DiPaula talks about their mission and work on this week's episode, and Sofia's mom, Caroline Reiner-Williams, joins her daughter to share details about this big opportunity.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each and every week we come together right here talk
about all the topics important to you and the place
where you live. Thanks for tuning in again this week.
I'm Nicole Davis. Music education is not just a way
for young people to express themselves or have some fun
during class, although it is very fun. It helps them
(00:27):
build discipline, confidence and a sense of belonging while opening
doors that otherwise might seem out of reach. In Boston,
Project Step is out there dedicated to expanding access to
classical music training for budding musicians and underserved communities around
Greater Boston. One of their students is Sophia Hernandez Williams,
and at twelve years old, she is getting ready to
perform in a huge competition this week in Detroit. She
(00:51):
is the youngest person in the whole country to qualify
a huge deal. Of course, let's learn all about Sophia's
journey with the cello Project Step the work they do.
Sophia is here along with her mom, Caroline Reiner Williams,
and Project Steps executive director Elidor Depaula. Thank you all
for the time here and Elidor. Before we take a
look and chat with Sophia, tell us more about Project
(01:12):
Step and the work you do.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Project STEPP is a nonprofit organization that was founded about
forty years ago by one of the staff members at BSO,
the Boston Syphony Orchestra, when he was charged with the
task of finding underrepresented musicians to audition to the open
spots of the orchestra. And he'd had a really good,
(01:36):
really hard time finding those candidates. So they Bill Moyer
is the personal manager, was a personal manager for BSO,
and he was cubued with that task. He pitched the
idea of creating our program now called Project Step to
hone that talent of those students that are coming from
(01:58):
an unrepresented background.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Is this just Boston that you cover? Is this the
Boston area? How far does this go?
Speaker 2 (02:04):
It's the Boston area, the Great Boston area, it goes.
You know, we have students from Worcester, like Sofia's from Wooster, right,
So it's the Great Boston area. But we of course
want to expand and continue expanding. We currently only offer instruments,
the string instruments. This is a string training education program,
(02:26):
but that eventually would like to expand the offerings and
get other instruments as well.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Kids learning music I think helps them in so many
other areas of life. You build confidence when you're performing.
It helps you build patients, which is hard to do
when either's screens everywhere right now, a lot of kids
would rather be playing roeblocks or something. But instead, if
you're practicing an instrument, you've got to take the time
and you've really got to work on that patience. Tell
me how that pays off when younger people get older
(02:55):
and go into being an adult and all the responsibilities
that come with that.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Absolutely, I think discipline that patients demands, the discipline right
that play and instrumental is required. Also the interpersonal skills,
the ability to speak to others should be empathetic, like
to understand the different perspectives that other people might have.
And also one of the things that we focus a
(03:19):
lot at Project Staff is the cultural diversity. The ability
of one student bring their own culture, their own identity
as well as being exposed to others identity that diversely
creates like a rich tapestry, tapestry of both talent as
well as cultural backgrounds. Right where all this there is
(03:40):
there learning from another, and it's something that is quite unique.
We don't see that happening quite a lot.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, let's talk to you, Sophia, because I want to
find out about you. You seem like such a busy
kid that's so accomplished. What is it that you like
about playing cello?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Like?
Speaker 1 (03:56):
What draws you to cello?
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I just well, I really enjoyed it, first of all,
and and different ways to Especially it's cool to just
be able to prepare something and show everybody. But also
it's fun to play in an orchestra and have those
things in common with other kids, and all sorts of
different things that are great about playing the cello. It's
(04:18):
just very fun.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Yeah, what's it feel like to be on the stage
and like surround? I did chorus back in the day.
I didn't do band, but I loved being on stage
and got the lights on you And you've got all
this music that you've practiced and practiced. Tell me for
like for our listeners who don't do band and stuff,
tell me what it's like to perform your pieces when
you're out there.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Well, oftentimes you're you're very nervous.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Well, yeah, I imagine so, and I don't know.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yeah, it's just it's a great thing to be able
to share what you've been preparing for such a long time.
And it's cool to have everybody paying attention, like to
what you're doing, because sometimes in other places, like you're
trying to get a word out there or something and
I don't know, some situation where you can't be heard.
But in this case, it's like it to where everybody's
(05:08):
listening to you and they're trying to understand you.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
You know what I mean. Yeah, I get that. So
when it comes to learning the cello, how it's taken
quite some time for you to get to where you
are a few years at this point. What was it
like growing up with the cello essentially.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
It was definitely we thought you might play violin, but.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
There you go. So you wanted to like have the
thing on the ground and not have to hold the
thing like and have your shoulder hurt.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah, kind of put it on my lap and stuff.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
I also, I kind of from the beginning, I kind
of always wanted to be a professional cellist. Yeah, and
so like all of this is kind of like with
one goal in mind, and you're like always you know,
it requires discipline, but it's also likes as we're saying,
of course, but it's also kind of like, I don't know,
it's a good process that teaches you watch.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Other things than just music.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Yeah, yeah, But do think it.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Has anything to do with growing up in a music school, because.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
That that also does help.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Probably we're sitting here in a community music school in Worcester.
Since she was very small. She's been coming to work
with me and just like surrounded by it. And that's
one of the reasons we love the mission of Project
Step because being Booster's community music school here a joy
of music program where Sophia takes private lessons.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
She does her favorite music.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
At STEP on the weekends. But she's just been in
this community of people from all over Worcester and the
school is positioned in an area of the community to
serve the broadest population that we have here. A lot
of our students are lower income, and it's just like
everybody's so happy to be here playing music. And I
think probably that sunk in a little bit and was like, Wow,
(06:50):
this seems like a really fun, you know, great thing
to do with lots of people that I like, and
that kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Yeah, that totally helps.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Great extension of that because then we get to be
there on weekends.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
There you go, tell me about this really cool competition
you've got coming up. And if I remember correctly, I
did some research. This isn't the first time you've gone, right, Yes.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I did go last year? Okay, it was actually is
actually kind of cool because I was the youngest competitor,
and I think I am this year too, but last
year I was the youngest competitor who had ever gone.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Yeah, what's it like like being surrounded by all these
adults being like, I know I deserve to be here, but.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Wow, well it's kind of cool to be able to
like learn about different worlds and age things. And I
think you learn faster actually that way exposed to older
kids and all that.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Yeah, so what's the competition like, tell me about it?
Speaker 3 (07:42):
So uh Sphink's Well, Sphinx's mission is also uh sport
like equity and classical music and have like very high
quality training and all sorts of things. But the competition,
I don't know. You go there for a week to
Detroit and you get to stay in like a hotel. Okay,
(08:03):
play for them and yeah, and then and then you
see the.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
Resultated in a master class last.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Time you went.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Oh yes, And there's also master classes and other uh
sometimes there's like little parties and things.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Yeah, that makes it better.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
You can community, you know.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Yeah, yeah, And so how did you do last time
you went?
Speaker 3 (08:27):
How did I do?
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Like, how did you place last time you went?
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Oh? Yes, last time I got an honorable mention?
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Still not nothing to sneeze at. And I'm assuming that
this year you've got higher sights though, well.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yes, that's always a go uh my my father says
it's also it's kind of like a saying but you know,
in general, when you go to a competition. Of course,
although you're not going to be like dead if you
don't win, because obviously not. But they say you go
there to win. That's the whole purpose, right, that's what
(08:59):
you're doing for, even though you don't always. But it's
like the purpose of going to a competition, you know.
But it's also a learning experience. It's just a great
thing in general.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
I think you learn you win by learning through that experience, right, Sophia.
I think just being exposed to these groups of other competitors.
She was one of the nine selected in the entire
country for this competition, So that's a win already, you know,
and her showcase in Detroit is another win. So there
(09:31):
are several different ways we can classify as a success
and we are very proud of you. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Well, I was going to say, Eleator, tell me a
little bit more about, you know, your relationship with Sofia,
how you guys work together, what you work on, and
how much this means to have her going back, not
just this for the first time, but for the second
time to such a big competition.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
I am a new executive director of Project Step. I
started back in November. I had the chance to meet
Sophia a few times, you know, during the classes, during
the chamber music. I can only share the pride that
I have about her, like of her accomplishments. It's it's
impressive and it's a drink co true for me because
(10:11):
I've been working with nonprofit organizations, specifically with underrepresented communities,
and to have students of her level is just absurd.
It's just incredible, you know, it's just awesome to have
those students like thriving, especially at such a young age.
And I say that we are at Project State, Project
step with my tenure there. We want to celebrate excellence,
(10:35):
as you know, as highlighted by Sophia's brilliance, but we
also want to redefine her guests should be excellent by
bringing those students from underrepresented communities and just like give
them the opportunity and showcasing them. That's what our mission
is all about. And Sophia is just carrying that mission
like so smoothly and so easily on her shoulders. I
(10:58):
think the cello is heavier that.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Probably those are not small. Okay, they're not small, but
you know, you've got to be a strong kid to
be able to carry those things.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
So I'm a piannest so for me, I mean, one
of the reasons that I did not want to be
a string player is because I would have to carry
them around. So I'm sorry, Sophia, that's your burden to carry.
I'm lucky not to have to carry the piano in
my pocket, but.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Figuratively, and it's acting like adjust to their instruments though,
so it's like playing a different instrument every time you play.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Sofia, what is it like to work with the kids
at projects step and see them, you know, enjoy music
as much as you do, and discover music that you
know people may not have introduced to them before.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
I mean, it's just a really great place to learn
a lot and have fun at the same time with
like other friends and yeah, and also like growing up
since I was a little little because my brother was
also in product Step learning and getting to know all
of the different people and like growing up with them.
Like with the music around it is, it's kind of
(12:03):
like a shared thing that you're working on as you
grow up. It's like a like a journey like yeah,
and a family, like a community.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
I appreciated seeing I think there was another Step alumni
who went to Sphinx and when she was little, we
were all celebrating and watching her journey. And so definitely
the representation, like Elitor said, like seeing somebody that you
know it's just like you being able to go that
far with music, that's just so wonderful being part of
Project Step just when the kids were little, and that
(12:34):
that was their model too, that they could see someone
like them in that role.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Yeah, So I think the modeling is another, you know,
incredible situation we have here having parents. There are musicians
that provide that type of opportunity is a must uh
And one other aspect of Project Step that we focus
to is true create an environment, to create a space
where students feel they they are work with music that
(13:00):
resonates with them. I'm a Latino, I'm originally from Brazil,
and for me, it was always very difficult to learn
music as a pianist with artists or with the traditions
that were not very very similar to mine that did
not resonate so much with me because it was basically
European traditions. And a Project Step we try to enhance
(13:20):
that by bringing different Latino, Black, some other cultures to
bring their identity and share with our students so they
can see, like, hey, that resonates with me, that makes sense,
It's not so far apart from what I'm experienced, and
that modeling comes from their home, from their parents, comes
(13:41):
from the organization that we provide, and from the experience
that they are exposed to. And I'm very proud of it.
I'm very proud of seeing those students because at the
same step, the same stage that Sophia is seeing herself
now going thro those competitions, I've been there before and
I've seen other people there were my models. I was
on stage, I served as a model for other people's
(14:03):
and I think that perpetuates the mission that we want here,
that we want you to broaden classical music. We don't
want to stagnant, uh, you know style that is very aristocratic,
very elitist. We want you to expand that. And Sophia
is one of that, you know, is the product of
all of that. Her Brita is She's one of the
stars of the many stars that we had the project
(14:25):
Step And now it's the time that this little star
here is shining, and it's shining in Boston, it's shiny
and Detroit, and she's going to go far.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Oh, I believe it wholeheartedly. So let's talk about your
competition coming up. It's the Sphinx Competition, because what if
we want to see how you do. Tell us about
when it is and where it is and what we
can expect.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Yeah, So it's in Detroit, Michigan, and I don't know
what is it what is the place called?
Speaker 4 (14:50):
So the semifinal round takes place on Thursday morning, I believe,
And there's a live.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
On your stream, yes, so okay, up on the Sphinx YouTube. Okay,
and you can actually watch it live there and also
once it's over.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Okay, Yeah, we are also going to be sharing all
of that on our social media, so like if you
want to follow us on social media Project STAP or
on our website PROJECTSTAP dot org. We're going to be
highlighting this competition, highlighting Sofia as much as we can,
so if you're interested, just look it up.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Yeah. I was going to say, where can people contact
you at Project STEP and learn more about maybe getting
their kids involved.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Project STAP dot org. Easy to remember, our social media
is also Project STAP. STAP stands for String Training Education Program,
so as TEP, very easy to find. We are in
all the platforms you can search us. We are located
at the Symphony Hall at the Boston Pops, so you
(15:53):
can always send the students research what is the audition
like and how you can send you your kids to
to join the program.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
All right, well, beautiful, great information. Thank you so much
Elator for that. Sophia. We' get excited for you, sending
you all the best of luck. I know you're just
gonna do awesome and have the best time in Detroit
and mom enjoy your time with her as well.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Thank you, thank you so much for having us.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Hope you have a safe and healthy and warm weekend.
Please come back and join us again next week for
another edition of the show. I'm Nicole Davis from WBZ
News Radio on iHeartRadio
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each and every week we come together right here talk
about all the topics important to you and the place
where you live. Thanks for tuning in again this week.
I'm Nicole Davis. Music education is not just a way
for young people to express themselves or have some fun
during class, although it is very fun. It helps them
(00:27):
build discipline, confidence and a sense of belonging while opening
doors that otherwise might seem out of reach. In Boston,
Project Step is out there dedicated to expanding access to
classical music training for budding musicians and underserved communities around
Greater Boston. One of their students is Sophia Hernandez Williams,
and at twelve years old, she is getting ready to
perform in a huge competition this week in Detroit. She
(00:51):
is the youngest person in the whole country to qualify
a huge deal. Of course, let's learn all about Sophia's
journey with the cello Project Step the work they do.
Sophia is here along with her mom, Caroline Reiner Williams,
and Project Steps executive director Elidor Depaula. Thank you all
for the time here and Elidor. Before we take a
look and chat with Sophia, tell us more about Project
(01:12):
Step and the work you do.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Project STEPP is a nonprofit organization that was founded about
forty years ago by one of the staff members at BSO,
the Boston Syphony Orchestra, when he was charged with the
task of finding underrepresented musicians to audition to the open
spots of the orchestra. And he'd had a really good,
(01:36):
really hard time finding those candidates. So they Bill Moyer
is the personal manager, was a personal manager for BSO,
and he was cubued with that task. He pitched the
idea of creating our program now called Project Step to
hone that talent of those students that are coming from
(01:58):
an unrepresented background.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Is this just Boston that you cover? Is this the
Boston area? How far does this go?
Speaker 2 (02:04):
It's the Boston area, the Great Boston area, it goes.
You know, we have students from Worcester, like Sofia's from Wooster, right,
So it's the Great Boston area. But we of course
want to expand and continue expanding. We currently only offer instruments,
the string instruments. This is a string training education program,
(02:26):
but that eventually would like to expand the offerings and
get other instruments as well.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Kids learning music I think helps them in so many
other areas of life. You build confidence when you're performing.
It helps you build patients, which is hard to do
when either's screens everywhere right now, a lot of kids
would rather be playing roeblocks or something. But instead, if
you're practicing an instrument, you've got to take the time
and you've really got to work on that patience. Tell
me how that pays off when younger people get older
(02:55):
and go into being an adult and all the responsibilities
that come with that.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Absolutely, I think discipline that patients demands, the discipline right
that play and instrumental is required. Also the interpersonal skills,
the ability to speak to others should be empathetic, like
to understand the different perspectives that other people might have.
And also one of the things that we focus a
(03:19):
lot at Project Staff is the cultural diversity. The ability
of one student bring their own culture, their own identity
as well as being exposed to others identity that diversely
creates like a rich tapestry, tapestry of both talent as
well as cultural backgrounds. Right where all this there is
(03:40):
there learning from another, and it's something that is quite unique.
We don't see that happening quite a lot.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, let's talk to you, Sophia, because I want to
find out about you. You seem like such a busy
kid that's so accomplished. What is it that you like
about playing cello?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Like?
Speaker 1 (03:56):
What draws you to cello?
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I just well, I really enjoyed it, first of all,
and and different ways to Especially it's cool to just
be able to prepare something and show everybody. But also
it's fun to play in an orchestra and have those
things in common with other kids, and all sorts of
different things that are great about playing the cello. It's
(04:18):
just very fun.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Yeah, what's it feel like to be on the stage
and like surround? I did chorus back in the day.
I didn't do band, but I loved being on stage
and got the lights on you And you've got all
this music that you've practiced and practiced. Tell me for
like for our listeners who don't do band and stuff,
tell me what it's like to perform your pieces when
you're out there.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Well, oftentimes you're you're very nervous.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Well, yeah, I imagine so, and I don't know.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yeah, it's just it's a great thing to be able
to share what you've been preparing for such a long time.
And it's cool to have everybody paying attention, like to
what you're doing, because sometimes in other places, like you're
trying to get a word out there or something and
I don't know, some situation where you can't be heard.
But in this case, it's like it to where everybody's
(05:08):
listening to you and they're trying to understand you.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
You know what I mean. Yeah, I get that. So
when it comes to learning the cello, how it's taken
quite some time for you to get to where you
are a few years at this point. What was it
like growing up with the cello essentially.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
It was definitely we thought you might play violin, but.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
There you go. So you wanted to like have the
thing on the ground and not have to hold the
thing like and have your shoulder hurt.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah, kind of put it on my lap and stuff.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
I also, I kind of from the beginning, I kind
of always wanted to be a professional cellist. Yeah, and
so like all of this is kind of like with
one goal in mind, and you're like always you know,
it requires discipline, but it's also likes as we're saying,
of course, but it's also kind of like, I don't know,
it's a good process that teaches you watch.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Other things than just music.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Yeah, yeah, But do think it.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Has anything to do with growing up in a music school, because.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
That that also does help.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Probably we're sitting here in a community music school in Worcester.
Since she was very small. She's been coming to work
with me and just like surrounded by it. And that's
one of the reasons we love the mission of Project
Step because being Booster's community music school here a joy
of music program where Sophia takes private lessons.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
She does her favorite music.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
At STEP on the weekends. But she's just been in
this community of people from all over Worcester and the
school is positioned in an area of the community to
serve the broadest population that we have here. A lot
of our students are lower income, and it's just like
everybody's so happy to be here playing music. And I
think probably that sunk in a little bit and was like, Wow,
(06:50):
this seems like a really fun, you know, great thing
to do with lots of people that I like, and
that kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Yeah, that totally helps.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
Great extension of that because then we get to be
there on weekends.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
There you go, tell me about this really cool competition
you've got coming up. And if I remember correctly, I
did some research. This isn't the first time you've gone, right, Yes.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I did go last year? Okay, it was actually is
actually kind of cool because I was the youngest competitor,
and I think I am this year too, but last
year I was the youngest competitor who had ever gone.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Yeah, what's it like like being surrounded by all these
adults being like, I know I deserve to be here, but.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Wow, well it's kind of cool to be able to
like learn about different worlds and age things. And I
think you learn faster actually that way exposed to older
kids and all that.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Yeah, so what's the competition like, tell me about it?
Speaker 3 (07:42):
So uh Sphink's Well, Sphinx's mission is also uh sport
like equity and classical music and have like very high
quality training and all sorts of things. But the competition,
I don't know. You go there for a week to
Detroit and you get to stay in like a hotel. Okay,
(08:03):
play for them and yeah, and then and then you
see the.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
Resultated in a master class last.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Time you went.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Oh yes, And there's also master classes and other uh
sometimes there's like little parties and things.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Yeah, that makes it better.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
You can community, you know.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Yeah, yeah, And so how did you do last time
you went?
Speaker 3 (08:27):
How did I do?
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Like, how did you place last time you went?
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Oh? Yes, last time I got an honorable mention?
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Still not nothing to sneeze at. And I'm assuming that
this year you've got higher sights though, well.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yes, that's always a go uh my my father says
it's also it's kind of like a saying but you know,
in general, when you go to a competition. Of course,
although you're not going to be like dead if you
don't win, because obviously not. But they say you go
there to win. That's the whole purpose, right, that's what
(08:59):
you're doing for, even though you don't always. But it's
like the purpose of going to a competition, you know.
But it's also a learning experience. It's just a great
thing in general.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
I think you learn you win by learning through that experience, right, Sophia.
I think just being exposed to these groups of other competitors.
She was one of the nine selected in the entire
country for this competition, So that's a win already, you know,
and her showcase in Detroit is another win. So there
(09:31):
are several different ways we can classify as a success
and we are very proud of you. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Well, I was going to say, Eleator, tell me a
little bit more about, you know, your relationship with Sofia,
how you guys work together, what you work on, and
how much this means to have her going back, not
just this for the first time, but for the second
time to such a big competition.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
I am a new executive director of Project Step. I
started back in November. I had the chance to meet
Sophia a few times, you know, during the classes, during
the chamber music. I can only share the pride that
I have about her, like of her accomplishments. It's it's
impressive and it's a drink co true for me because
(10:11):
I've been working with nonprofit organizations, specifically with underrepresented communities,
and to have students of her level is just absurd.
It's just incredible, you know, it's just awesome to have
those students like thriving, especially at such a young age.
And I say that we are at Project State, Project
step with my tenure there. We want to celebrate excellence,
(10:35):
as you know, as highlighted by Sophia's brilliance, but we
also want to redefine her guests should be excellent by
bringing those students from underrepresented communities and just like give
them the opportunity and showcasing them. That's what our mission
is all about. And Sophia is just carrying that mission
like so smoothly and so easily on her shoulders. I
(10:58):
think the cello is heavier that.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Probably those are not small. Okay, they're not small, but
you know, you've got to be a strong kid to
be able to carry those things.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
So I'm a piannest so for me, I mean, one
of the reasons that I did not want to be
a string player is because I would have to carry
them around. So I'm sorry, Sophia, that's your burden to carry.
I'm lucky not to have to carry the piano in
my pocket, but.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Figuratively, and it's acting like adjust to their instruments though,
so it's like playing a different instrument every time you play.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Sofia, what is it like to work with the kids
at projects step and see them, you know, enjoy music
as much as you do, and discover music that you
know people may not have introduced to them before.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
I mean, it's just a really great place to learn
a lot and have fun at the same time with
like other friends and yeah, and also like growing up
since I was a little little because my brother was
also in product Step learning and getting to know all
of the different people and like growing up with them.
Like with the music around it is, it's kind of
(12:03):
like a shared thing that you're working on as you
grow up. It's like a like a journey like yeah,
and a family, like a community.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
I appreciated seeing I think there was another Step alumni
who went to Sphinx and when she was little, we
were all celebrating and watching her journey. And so definitely
the representation, like Elitor said, like seeing somebody that you
know it's just like you being able to go that
far with music, that's just so wonderful being part of
Project Step just when the kids were little, and that
(12:34):
that was their model too, that they could see someone
like them in that role.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Yeah, So I think the modeling is another, you know,
incredible situation we have here having parents. There are musicians
that provide that type of opportunity is a must uh
And one other aspect of Project Step that we focus
to is true create an environment, to create a space
where students feel they they are work with music that
(13:00):
resonates with them. I'm a Latino, I'm originally from Brazil,
and for me, it was always very difficult to learn
music as a pianist with artists or with the traditions
that were not very very similar to mine that did
not resonate so much with me because it was basically
European traditions. And a Project Step we try to enhance
(13:20):
that by bringing different Latino, Black, some other cultures to
bring their identity and share with our students so they
can see, like, hey, that resonates with me, that makes sense,
It's not so far apart from what I'm experienced, and
that modeling comes from their home, from their parents, comes
(13:41):
from the organization that we provide, and from the experience
that they are exposed to. And I'm very proud of it.
I'm very proud of seeing those students because at the
same step, the same stage that Sophia is seeing herself
now going thro those competitions, I've been there before and
I've seen other people there were my models. I was
on stage, I served as a model for other people's
(14:03):
and I think that perpetuates the mission that we want here,
that we want you to broaden classical music. We don't
want to stagnant, uh, you know style that is very aristocratic,
very elitist. We want you to expand that. And Sophia
is one of that, you know, is the product of
all of that. Her Brita is She's one of the
stars of the many stars that we had the project
(14:25):
Step And now it's the time that this little star
here is shining, and it's shining in Boston, it's shiny
and Detroit, and she's going to go far.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Oh, I believe it wholeheartedly. So let's talk about your
competition coming up. It's the Sphinx Competition, because what if
we want to see how you do. Tell us about
when it is and where it is and what we
can expect.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Yeah, So it's in Detroit, Michigan, and I don't know
what is it what is the place called?
Speaker 4 (14:50):
So the semifinal round takes place on Thursday morning, I believe,
And there's a live.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
On your stream, yes, so okay, up on the Sphinx YouTube. Okay,
and you can actually watch it live there and also
once it's over.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Okay, Yeah, we are also going to be sharing all
of that on our social media, so like if you
want to follow us on social media Project STAP or
on our website PROJECTSTAP dot org. We're going to be
highlighting this competition, highlighting Sofia as much as we can,
so if you're interested, just look it up.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Yeah. I was going to say, where can people contact
you at Project STEP and learn more about maybe getting
their kids involved.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Project STAP dot org. Easy to remember, our social media
is also Project STAP. STAP stands for String Training Education Program,
so as TEP, very easy to find. We are in
all the platforms you can search us. We are located
at the Symphony Hall at the Boston Pops, so you
(15:53):
can always send the students research what is the audition
like and how you can send you your kids to
to join the program.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
All right, well, beautiful, great information. Thank you so much
Elator for that. Sophia. We' get excited for you, sending
you all the best of luck. I know you're just
gonna do awesome and have the best time in Detroit
and mom enjoy your time with her as well.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Thank you, thank you so much for having us.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Hope you have a safe and healthy and warm weekend.
Please come back and join us again next week for
another edition of the show. I'm Nicole Davis from WBZ
News Radio on iHeartRadio
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