When Natasha and Arsha Mehzabin Prokrity’s family moved from Bangladesh to Canada in 2022, like many newcomers, they faced challenges. Fitting in and making new friends was hard but their love of music offered an opportunity to connect. That’s when their parents enrolled them in OrKidstra, an Ottawa-based program that empowers kids, ages 5-18, from equity-deserving communities by teaching life skills, such as teamwork, commitment, respect and pride in achievement, all through the universal language of music. “I love to sing and I wanted to play a new instrument, and it sounded fun and they have good snacks too,” Arsha said. “I get to perform with my friends, and the teachers are really nice. It’s fun to learn new pieces and perform them in front of everybody.” OrKidstra has been helping kids for almost two decades. It was founded in 2007 with just 27 students. Today, it serves more than 800 kids and that could grow to over a thousand next year as they enter into a new partnership with the Carlington Community Health Centre. The programs are free and supported by donations from the community. Executive Managing Director Carrie Lauzon says every kid who graduates from their program goes on to further studies. “Most of us at OrKidstra, the staff and volunteers, are musicians ourselves, and having that opportunity, it’s changed our lives,” Lauzon said. “It can really open doors when you give kids a chance to find their voice through music. It’s a really beautiful thing.” Amar Marouf, who graduated from the program, is now a member of OrKidstra’s board is now helping guide the organization that gave him so much. “OrKidstra is an organization that has changed my life. It’s more than a charity, it’s more than a social development platform; it’s a place where I got to find friends, a second home, and really grow as a person through music,” Marouf said. “I’ve had life changing opportunities thanks to OrKidstra.” OrKidstra held its final concert of the season at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre Tuesday evening in front of a packed audience. Graduates of the program were celebrated for their achievements and a new fundraising drive kicked off. For the month of June, a donor has offered to match donations up to $25,000.
