My desire to help children in need grew out of my own struggles during the COVID-19 lock-downs. As school shifted online and social interactions disappeared, the isolation slowly took a toll on my mental health.
I remember what it felt like to become invisible. Conversations faded, messages stopped, and I began to feel disconnected not only from others, but from myself. During that time, I found myself thinking back to when I volunteered in my school’s Special Education Program. The classroom was tucked away at the end of a hallway, almost hidden, with a child lock on the inside of the door. Back then, I didn’t fully understand why some students would have outbursts. But now, I did. I understood what it felt like to be unseen, unheard, and trapped in your own space. Their frustration no longer seemed like misbehaviour—it felt human.
That realization changed me. Instead of staying stuck in my own struggles, I wanted to reach others who might feel the same way. Music became my way of doing that. Having grown up with music, I had always seen it as something personal—but now I saw its power to connect. With students with developmental disabilities, music became more than sound. It became a way for them to express themselves, to be understood, and to feel less alone.
In helping them find their voices, I began to find mine again. What started as a way to cope turned into a sense of purpose—one rooted in empathy, connection, and the belief that no one deserves to feel invisible.
I developed an innovative program in collaboration with music therapists. The unique program brings a certified music therapist into a classroom setting to lead group music therapy sessions with students on a 1-hour weekly basis throughout the school year. Music therapy in a school setting has previously been unheard of in my home province, Ontario. We are providing free weekly music therapy sessions throughout the year, in 40 schools in 9 cities in Canada, as of the end of 2025; and continue to grow at breakneck speed with a waiting list in double digits, in 4 years time. I won a number of innovation awards as a result, including but not limited to, Canada SDG Youth Award (SDG 4 & 8), Global Youth Empowering Innovation Award (UK), RISE Challenge Finalist (US + UK), Masasson Foundation Finalist (JP). My Charity provided over 128,000 free music therapy opportunities to students with learning disabilities.
“Thank you again for Thursday’s music therapy session. You really worked much magic. We rarely get all kids engaged at the same time , let alone for 30 minutes. Endless gratitude."
– Eugenie (SERT)
“Through this program, our students are discovering new ways to express themselves with confidence, and strengthen important skills such as focus, communication, and emotional regulation. The joy and progress we see in their daily interactions are a direct reflection of your commitment to fostering inclusive and impactful educational experiences.“
– Andrew, Principal
I won some of the most prestigious national and international awards: Canon Young Champion of the Year, Global Youth Award, Diana Award, Global Student Prize top 50, International Children Peace Prize top 30, King's Coronation Award, Ontario Medal for Young Volunteer, David Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility, National Champion in Gymnastics on Beam, Three times Ontario Gymnastics Champion, etc. I got broad media coverage in both Canada and overseas as a result. I was featured on 7 Canadian TV stations with national coverage, in addition to radio, print media and digital media coverage.
jj
