Sopranos star sponsors free afterschool programs for kids shut-in by COVID

Kids from across the five boroughs will be able to access free, online afterschool music programs. Photo courtesy of New York Edge

By Victoria Merlino

One of the largest providers of afterschool programs in New York City is partnering with “Sopranos” star and Springsteen bandmate Stevie Van Zandt to provide musical education to kids across Queens.

New York Edge connected with Van Zandt’s Rock and Roll Forever Foundation to provide the TeachRock program to the city’s school-aged kids. 

TeachRock provides nearly 200 free lesson plans for K-12 students, using popular music to teach social studies, language arts, math, science, general music and art to keeps kids engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“This is an unprecedented and uncomfortable time, and educators have provided structure, emotional support, and a reassuring sense of normalcy to our children as we've transitioned to a period of social distance. But kids don't thrive in isolation,” Van Zandt said in a statement. “Music can connect us, even when we can't be together.”

New York Edge currently serves 40,000 kids across the city in under-resourced schools and underserved communities through curriculum-based afterschool programs.