Did You Know...?

Recent and Upcoming Performances

A Letter From the Executive Director

Confident and Prepared: Adolfo Cortijo Sets Himself Up for Early Success

Student Intern, Hakeem Poe Looks to a Bright and Successful Future

Highbridge Voices Benefit Concert Memories

Highbridge Voices donated clothing, dishware, and personal grooming items to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

HBV Music Director, Alison Crockett, toured in March of 2006 in Europe to promote the release of her remix album, “ The Return of Diva Blue: On Becoming a Woman Redux.”

Highbridge Voices welcomed Tysha Carter, the new Student Activities Coordinator, on March 14th.

Highbridge Voices celebrated its 8th year in the fall of 2005.

HBV Voice Teacher, Kathy R. Alston performed at the Teatro Olimpico in Rome in the oratorio “Carmina Burana.”

Highbridge Voices 2nd Annual Haunted House
On Oct. 29th, HBV hosted  it’s 2nd Halloween Haunted House for members of the community and raised over $1500 for the program. Over 500 people came to enjoy the festivities.

Junior Achievement Fundraising Dinner
On Nov. 10th, HBV performed for the second year in a row at the Junior Achievement Fundraising Dinner at the Wintergarden Theater at the World Financial Center.

Hurricane Relief Fundraising Dinner
On Nov. 19th, HBV performed at Bronx Community College at a Hurricane Katrina Fundraising Dinner to help raise money for victims.

Public Service Area 7 Fellowship Breakfast
On Nov. 22nd, HBV performed at the PSA 7 fellowship Breakfast for the second year in a row. HBV received an award in recognition of their outstanding service to the youth of the community.

Hebrew Home for the Aged
On Nov. 30th, HBV performed for the residents at the Hebrew Home for the Aged in Riverdale.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
On Thanksgiving Day, HBV performed on the Cornucopia float with Grammy Award Nominee, Michael Feinstein.

Highbridge Voices 8th Annual Benefit Concert
On May 24th, HBV hosted their 8th Annual Benefit Concert entitled “An Evening with the Stars” at the New York Botanical Garden.

Highbridge Voices Upcoming Performances

Highbridge Voices 2nd Annual Block Party
On June 17, 2006, HBV will host its 2nd Annual Block Party for the community. Come and enjoy games, fun, and music.

Highbridge Voices Summer Program
HBV will host its 2nd Annual Summer Music Camp for the children of the HBV Program from July 11th - August 18th.

To meet the funding challenges we face in the coming years, the leadership of HBV conducted a thorough analysis of internal and external strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.  The knowledge gained from this exercise led to the development of an exhaustive fundraising plan.  Among other strategies included in the plan was the hiring of a fulltime development coordinator who will be responsible for organizing and implementing all fundraising activities.  It is believed that the addition of a development coordinator to the HBV staff will aid the organization in aggressively moving ahead in pursuit of new sources of funding. The development coordinator’s position will be underwritten for 2 years by the newest member of the HBV board of directors, Mr. Richard Baron Cohen of Chudnow.  Mr. Cohen, who is a long time supporter of the arts, joined the HBV board in early February of this year.

      HBV has once again expanded its programming to include a new academic component to help participants prepare for success in higher education.  Sophomores, juniors and seniors participating in the program will now have access to a counselor who will assist them with college applications, career exploration, test preparation, scholarship searches and more.  The pilot project was initiated during the spring 2006 session.  Funding for the project was provided by Mr. William Traylor of the Richman Group of Companies in honor of his father, the late Mr. Wayne Traylor, a philanthropist and strong advocate of educational advancement.

      The HBV 8th Annual Benefit Concert was held at the New York Botanical Garden on May 24th in recognition of the accomplishments of Bronx Borough President, the Honorable Adolfo Carrion Jr.  Mr. Carrion, a faithful supporter of HBV, donated $750,000 in 2006 for a new dwelling that will house our program into the future.

As 13 year old Adolfo Cortijo gets ready to graduate Kappa Academy in the Bronx and move on to the next big phase in his life at  La Guardia High School, a performing arts school in New York City, he takes some time to answer a few questions about his experiences. 

Q: What are your future goals? 

A:  My future goals are to finish with a Master’s Degree and become a famous businessman and becoming a multi-talented singer.

Q: You have just been accepted into La Guardia High School for performing arts.  How has HBV helped you to accomplish this?

A: HBV has given me not only voice lessons to help me perfect my voice and music classes, but it gave me the confidence to know that I can make it.

Q. How has HBV helped to build your confidence?

A: HBV has built my confidence by giving me the chance to show everybody my talent.  If it wasn’t for the solos, open mic nights and the dances I would not be as confident in myself as I am today!

Q. How has HBV influenced your life?

A: HBV influenced me to become who I am today by keeping me out of the streets and giving me something positive to do from the age of seven. It helped me make the right decisions in life.

Q. What extracurricular activities do you do?

A: I play basketball and baseball.  I also write poetry and like to dance.

Q: What have you learned from being an active member of HBV ?

A: I have learned that there are a lot of things and opportunities that can help to make you who you are.  Everything happens for a reason and HBV is here for that reason.

When Hakeem Poe walked into HBV 8 years ago, it was a rundown parking garage underneath an housing complex. Hakeem vividly remembers the summer he worked painting walls and mopping floors to help make HBV what it is today.  He will also tell you about his experience as the first HBV student and how he interviewed the voice teachers for their positions, some of which are still with HBV today. 

    Now, 8 years later, Hakkem is not only preparing for college, but he also serves as a role model and big brother figure to the other choir participants. Despite many obstacles and challenges throughout his time at HBV including the loss of his mother and being struck by a stray bullet, Hakeem has still managed to remain focused and ready to embrace the future.

     “I have been through many obstacles in my life that a regular teenager shouldn’t have to go through,” says Poe. “But my faith has kept me grounded and helped me bounce back which in turn has allowed me to be a role model to younger children in the program.”

    In addition to the college application process and finishing up his last year of high school, Hakeem is also concentrating on pursuing a career in music and dance, to which he credits HBV as a main influence. 

   “Highbridge Voices has influenced me to become who I am today by helping me to excel in music and dance,” says Poe. “It helped me open up as a person and an entertainer.”

You can also find Hakeem working at HBV as a Student Intern and choreographer in order to make extra money to help pay his tuition at Rice High School, an all boys private high school in New York City.

“Highbridge Voices is like a second home to me,” says Poe. “It’s great to know that I have a place where I can go to further my talents, broaden my horizons, and most importantly bring me closer to a successful future.”

Years in HBV: 8 years

Favorite HBV Memory: Celine Dion & N’Sync Concert

Favorite HBV Song: “My Song”

Favorite HBV Dance: Toreador

Most Influential Person in your life: Bruno Casolari