New Performing Arts Leadership Program for Norfolk County Youth

Thanks to the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

DEDHAM, MA –  The Norfolk County Sheriff's office will be incorporating a new summer performing arts leadership academy for youth ages 13 to 18, in partnership with the non-profit, South Shore Children’s Chorus (SSCC), that addresses public safety through early intervention, announced Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott at the end of last month.

The sheriff's office says that the program gives Norfolk County children the opportunity to explore identity, leadership, and relationship issues through performing arts and various types of self-expression.

“An important aspect of public safety is making early interventions in a child’s life, which requires meeting them where they are,” said Sheriff McDermott. “The Find Your Voice program is yet another way that we can engage with area youth for whom performance and self-expression are important aspects of who they are and how they see the world.”

The Find Your Voice Program will consist of a one-week program in which students learn about identity, social dynamics, and leadership through an exploration of self-expression and performing arts, including public speaking, theater, movement, singing, and more. The week will be led by SSCC staff who are trained in integrating researched-based and CASEL aligned social-emotional learning practices.

SSCC Founder and Artistic Director Kirsten Oberoi described the new program as presenting new and creative ways to engage pre-teens and young adults. The arts will be used as a tool "to unlock deeper meaning and communication for teens, rather than a performative product,” she said. “The students will imagine and create through social emotional learning exercises, exploring themselves and their purpose – a key aspect that is needed when teaching young people to be strong leaders.”

The Find Your Voice Program will run four one-week sessions, from July 17th through August 11th. The program will take place at the CATS Academy, located next door to the NCSO’s Youth Leadership Academy location in Braintree at 2015 Washington Street. 

Parents interested in learning more or registering their children for this experience can visit www.SSCChorus.org. Registration will open on April 5th. Because each session is capped at 30 students, registration is expected to fill quickly. Tuition assistance is available for those who complete the application.