Voices Against Bullying

In 2026, Voices Against Bullying will launch a bold pilot at 25 Title 1 schools, reaching more than 25,000 students through concerts, residencies, and teacher training workshops. Each visit will plant the seeds of a cultural shift: equipping educators with reflection toolkits, integrating anti-bullying practices into school curricula, and documenting student stories through a digital storytelling archive.

Vision

Voices Against Bullying harnesses the power of music and storytelling to help students build empathy, confidence, and resilience. Led by acclaimed the inspiring blind singer and author Laurie Rubin, the program combines live performance, personal storytelling, and hands-on workshops blending classical, pop, musical theater, and original songs with passages from her memoir Do You Dream in Color?, where students reflect on their struggles and strengths, discover the courage to share their own stories, and support one another in meaningful ways.

“Music helps us unlock even the secrets we keep from ourselves. It helps us heal, connect, and grow stronger together.” —Laurie Rubin

Core Focus Areas

  • A live music assembly and storytelling session
  • Hands-on workshops focused on communication, courage, and compassion
  • Student-led reflections and a culminating showcase

Program Goals

  • Build compassion and self-awareness

  • Help students see common ground across differences

  • Transform perceived weaknesses into personal strengths

Laurie Rubin is an internationally celebrated mezzo-soprano, author, and arts educator. Blind since birth, she has performed at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and the White House, and is co-founder of Ohana Arts. Her memoir, Do You Dream in Color?, is a testament to perseverance and purpose. As the New York Times writes, “It’s impossible to say whether her power stems from her disability or simply from a deep part of her that has nothing to do with the sense of sight.”