Students in Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School’s Performing Arts program — including the BHL Orchestra and Band — along with a handful of Clarke Central High School orchestra students recently returned from an incredible educational trip to New York City, where they performed on the historic stage of Carnegie Hall.
The trip offered students immersive opportunities for cultural learning, including visits to the Museum of Modern Art, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, as well as attending a performance of “Hamilton” on Broadway.
Most importantly, students delivered an outstanding performance at Carnegie Hall — under the direction of BHL String Programs Director Matthew Rubenstein, BHL Director of Bands Amanda Irby, and Clarke Central String Programs Director Dr. Eunice Kang — as part of the prestigious WorldStrides Honors Performance Series.
Students and families described the experience as truly transformative. As 8th-grade violinist Allison Cortez proudly shared, “We are middle schoolers who performed at Carnegie Hall! It was the best opportunity ever, and I am forever grateful to have had the chance to do this.”
Parents who went on the trip echoed the impact. One reflected that watching her child on the Carnegie Hall stage was “a moment I will never forget… a testament to what happens when a school, a family, and a community believe in their students.” Another shared that the trip “extended far beyond the classroom,” helping students build confidence, independence, and a deeper appreciation for history, culture, and the arts.
This opportunity was made possible by the generous support of many community partners and stakeholders, including James Striepe, Mark Jennings, Athens Construction, First Christian Church, the Athens Area Community Foundation, Nakanishi Manufacturing, AthFest Educates, the Classic Center Cultural Foundation, Burton & Burton, La Parrilla, the BHL Local School Governance Team, BHL principal Dr. Annie Turman and the school administration, and the Clarke County Board of Education.
The success of this trip — and the opportunity for the students to have a world-class cultural experience — was also made possible through the dedication of CCSD’s educators and the unwavering support of families.
“As I shared with our community, music is my calling and my ministry," said Mr. Rubenstein. "I am deeply grateful to the students, families, colleagues, and community partners whose belief in the power of music education made this transformative opportunity possible."
Read more testimonies from students, educators, and families below, and enjoy photos from the trip at this link and videos at this link!
“This trip to New York with BHL MS has been wonderful. I feel absolutely grateful to Matt for thinking of me to accompany him, the school faculty, and to all the kids who, with their joy, enthusiasm, and music, made it possible for me to fulfill a dream I have had for 30 years, when I began my life as a musician. Myself, Lead Guitar, and UGA are very proud of the guitar class. I congratulate the students who traveled and those who didn’t for their effort and for this wonderful work that brought us to Carnegie Hall. Thank you so much for this!” ~ Juan Felipe, Lead Guitar, UGA |
“I am so proud of myself for getting to have this opportunity, especially at such a young age. I want to thank Mr. Rubenstein for making these wonders possible and for giving me this opportunity, one that many people will never be able to experience.” ~ Aundraya Taylor, 8th grade viola |
“We are so thankful to have had the opportunity for Laila to participate in the Carnegie Hall performance. As a family that values music education and performing arts, this was an invaluable experience for her. We are grateful to CCSD and Burney Harris for welcoming her as a homeschool student to attend your class and take part in this experience. We thought everything was very well organized, and the chaperone did a great job too. Laila has told me that she really enjoyed both the Broadway show and the Statue of Liberty /Ellis Island excursion. We have visited New York many times as a family and have never done those things, so that was definitely a unique experience for her as well. Thank you again for everything you do.” ~ Ferheen, 7th grade orchestra parent |
“The BHL Performing Arts trip to New York City was an unforgettable experience that extended far beyond the classroom. Students had the opportunity to explore iconic landmarks, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the history and diverse stories that shape our nation. The highlight of the trip for me was the extraordinary opportunity to see our students perform at Carnegie Hall. I think being on such a historic stage not only allowed them to create a once-in-a-lifetime memory but also helped them build confidence. I believe the highlight of the trip for many students was attending a performance of Hamilton on Broadway, which brought American history to life in a way that was both engaging and memorable. Overall, I think the trip was an excellent way to enrich the students’ education. It fostered independence, strengthened friendships, and deepened their appreciation for history, culture, and the arts.” ~ Anissa Mull, 8th grade band parent |
“We are middle schoolers who performed at Carnegie Hall! I feel so proud of us. It was the best opportunity ever, and I am forever grateful to have had the chance to do this. I am glad I decided to join orchestra. Thank you, Mr. Rubenstein, for giving us this opportunity.” ~ Allison Cortez, 8th grade violin |
“I am deeply grateful for the many people who made this experience possible. I thank God every day for all He has done and continues to do in my life. Music is my calling and my ministry. I am so blessed. I want to recognize the incredible student musicians and their wonderful directors, Amanda Irby, Juan Avila, and Dr. Eunice Kang, from Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School and Clarke Central High School, whose dedication, work ethic, and passion for music inspired this journey. Their commitment to excellence is truly remarkable, and they are the reason opportunities like this can exist. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the administrative team at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School, including Dr. Annie Turman, Dr. Charlotte Lester, and Jenna Suares. Their ongoing encouragement, leadership, benevolent spirits, and belief in the power of music education have been invaluable. To the parents and families who support their children in the arts, thank you. Your encouragement and advocacy make an immeasurable difference in the lives of young musicians. Finally, I extend my deepest gratitude to the many community partners and stakeholders whose generosity helped make this experience possible. Your support ensured that our students could participate in a transformative educational opportunity, one that will inspire their musical and personal growth for years to come.” ~ Matthew Rubenstein, Director of String Programs, BHL |
“Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to be part of such an incredible experience. When I found out I had been invited to perform, I felt honored and grateful for the chance to represent my former school. Preparing for Carnegie Hall took a lot of dedication, but it made the performance even more meaningful. I’m also very thankful for the support from our community, especially organizations like AthFest Educates, whose grants help make opportunities like this possible for students. This experience is something I will remember for a long time.” ~ Addison Luke, 9th grade viola |
“Watching my son stand on the stage of Carnegie Hall, a place filled with history, artistry, and dreams, was a moment I will never forget. But the beauty of that moment wasn’t just about the grandeur of the venue. It was about everything and everyone who helped him get there. Our school shaped his skills. Our community lifted him up. Together, they gave him a milestone that will stay with him for life. I am deeply grateful for every person who contributed, encouraged, guided, and celebrated along the way. This experience was not just a performance; it was a testament to what happens when a school, a family, and a community believe in their students. And for my son, it was a dream realized, made possible by the village around him. Thank you!” ~ Eliza Wilson, 7th grade orchestra parent |
“This trip was such a blessing. Ava has for years wanted to visit New York, so it was a dream trip for her. When I got the initial announcement that BHL would be going, I knew I had to make it happen. The price was an initial shock, but after breaking down what she would experience and the logistics, it was so worth it. Mr. Rubenstein is one of the most dedicated, personable, patient, creative, and knowledgeable teachers my children have come across in their educational careers. (I have a total of 3 children who have attended Clarke County schools) The feat that he took on with the planning, fundraising, keeping everything in order, getting questions answered, and the unforeseen hiccups that came up were handled with so much professionalism that we, as parents, never had a worry. My 12-year-old daughter had a ball while fulfilling something that even some professional string instrument players have never accomplished. She saw a professional Broadway show, visited monuments, learned about art, and got to know other students better. She realized what a big deal this was when she saw the stage she would be performing on. She was so proud and elated. I pray that next year, the same opportunity, or another, presents itself so that both of my current Clarke County School District orchestra students can participate.” ~ Kiva Walker, 6th grade orchestra parent |
"Many people work a lifetime to learn an instrument or share an artistic endeavor at a level worthy of performing at a great concert hall. Incredibly, our students were given the experience that some wait a lifetime for, thanks to the generous commitment of their conductor, Matthew Rubenstein, and his own blend of skill, expertise, commitment, and kindness. Mr. Rubenstein's efforts began many months ago, as he worked diligently to move dozens of people from the stage of invitation to implementation. After spending countless hours managing funding, logistics, and many other details, I find that one specific moment stands out to me: it occurred on Saturday evening. After seeing many of his students board a plane for the first time, have the once in lifetime experience of performing at Carnegie Hall, Saturday night came and most were exhausted and basking in the surreal moments we had experienced together- Broadway the night before, experiencing the promise of the Statue of Liberty as a diverse student body living out that promise, and then Carnegie. That Saturday, I happened to connect with Mr. Rubenstein on our way out, and he was meeting with a group of students to take them out- he was filling in for another chaperone and was genuinely happy to do it and excited to experience more of NYC with the students. More than anything, this moment demonstrated his genuine, authentic commitment to students, while the level of their performance at Carnegie Hall (during high school performances) demonstrates his skill and ability to motivate young learners toward excellence. When I think of New York City, I will think of one of the best teachers our children have had the privilege of knowing: Matthew Rubenstein.” ~ Erin Barger, 6th, 7th, and 9th grade orchestra parent |
“We were thrilled that our daughter had the opportunity to perform with the BHL Performing Arts group at Carnegie Hall, and that we had the privilege to witness it. The group played six pieces, and we were all blown away by their incredible performance and the range of musical selections. We are so grateful to Mr. Rubenstein for arranging this opportunity and to Mr. Rubenstein, Ms. Irby, and Dr. Kang for working so hard to help BHL shine at the performance. She practiced very hard for this, and I know the experience and the pride she felt will stay with her for life. We are also grateful for the sightseeing Mr. Rubenstein was able to fit in. The kids got to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Hamilton on Broadway, a quick view of the 9/11 memorial, and Trinity Church where Alexander Hamilton is buried (a nice tie-in to the play). He went out of his way to include us parents, which involved a lot of extra work on his part. We are so grateful for the generous donations that eased the financial burden of this trip as well.” ~Kathleen Falke, 7th grade orchestra parent |