Pictured above: Students participating in Camp GraceNote programming.
Music can be a powerful way to bring people together. It builds connection, supports confidence and gives young people a way to express who they are. And that’s just what Senoreh Music Foundation is doing.
Senoreh is a faith-based nonprofit that focuses on teaching music while building community and supporting the next generation of musicians. Its work integrates cultural traditions into music education and mentorship, creating experiences that feel accessible and personal.
“Senoreh really started from a shared connection through faith,” said Joanna Kim, founder of Senoreh and music instructor. “We wanted to build a supportive community for Christian musicians.”
That vision led to the creation of Camp GraceNote, a multigenerational music program for youth from diverse cultural backgrounds. This year’s theme, “Music of the Trembling Branches,” will help children explore how music connects them to God and to one another.
Central New York is home to a growing population of refugee and immigrant families. Many young people in these communities are navigating language barriers, cultural differences and the challenge of balancing multiple identities, often without spaces where they feel fully understood or represented.
Camp GraceNote was designed with that in mind.
Through the program, students learn music from different cultures while building lasting relationships with instructors and culture bearers that can span generations. The program also creates space for students to share parts of their own backgrounds, languages and traditions with one another, fostering cultural exchange and connection.
“I enjoy learning about other people and their cultures,” said Leah, a fourth-grade participant. “It was fun to explore and play different styles of music.”
This supportive environment also encourages students to step outside of their comfort zones and build confidence.
“At first I was a little nervous and scared I might mess up the new music, but by the end I was glad I pushed through it,” Leah said.
This kind of growth is something program leaders see often throughout the camp as participants become more comfortable sharing their own cultures while learning about and experiencing others.
“The healthiest thing for these youth is to embrace and feel proud of all their cultures,” said Ji Won Lee, music instructor at Senoreh.
Beyond cultural learning, the program also gives participants a chance to build friendships and feel a sense of belonging that can be difficult to find elsewhere. Alongside support from instructors, participants also find encouragement in each other.
“I see my daughter and many of the participants having fun together while connecting over similar experiences growing up in immigrant families,” said Haeyeun Jeun, a music instructor at Senoreh and parent of Sol, a participant in the program. “Being together helps them feel comfortable.”
For students like Sol, those connections are one of the most memorable parts of the experience.
“I liked learning about God and meeting the teachers and having fun with my new friends,” she said.
Senoreh received a $13,500 grant from our Venture Fund to support both the Senoreh Music Class and Camp GraceNote. The investment was made through our Participatory Grantmaking program, which was launched to address inequities affecting historically marginalized communities. The funding is helping the organization expand access to culturally responsive music education while strengthening connections across communities.
Programs like this go beyond music, creating space for young people who may not always see themselves reflected in traditional programs or classrooms while helping them build confidence and stronger connections with their peers and culture.
As Camp GraceNote continues to grow, Senoreh hopes to continue expanding opportunities for students and families across the community.
“We have become our own platform,” Kim said. “Once we get going, we put our hearts into this.”
For the students who participate, the message is simple.
“You should come,” Leah said. “It’s a good experience.”
Camp GraceNote will take place August 17–21, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Syracuse Myanmar Baptist Church. Open to students entering 3rd through 6th grade, the camp will end with a special performance on August 21 at 1:30 p.m. Registration is available at senoreh.org, and scholarships are available for students from refugee backgrounds.
