Estefania Cruz, a twelve year old student at Mount Carmel Holy Rosary School, has been playing the violin for two years. She has two brothers and a new little baby sister. Her favorite subjects are science and math. She says she likes to read (a lot!), play the violin and draw. At home, she listens to jazz, classical and Spanish music. When she grows up, she wants to be a journalist.

Mylissa Bowley is in the sixth grade at Mount Carmel Holy Rosary School. Mylissa started playing the violin in the fourth grade. She has two younger sisters who also play violin at the school. Her favorite subjects are math and spelling. She loves to dance and sing. She also likes to listen to R&B as well as reggae music in her spare time. Mylissa not only plays the violin well, but is also an excellent teacher. She enjoys helping the other students with their pieces and seems to have quite a knack for teaching!

Sydney Dorner, a hardworking sixth grader at Mount Carmel Holy Rosary School, has been learning the violin for one and a half years. She also has an older brother who plays the clarinet. Her favorite subjects are science and social studies. She says that she enjoys reading, playing monopoly and learning about Egypt. When she grows up, she wants to be a marine biologist.

Brittaney Campbell, age eleven, is a student at Mount Carmel Holy Rosary School. She has four sisters and has been learning the violin for two years. Her favorite subject is science and in her spare time, she likes to dance and listen to reggae, hip-hop and R&B music. Last year, her father surprised her by giving her a violin as a gift. Since then, she has enjoyed practicing her violin with Mylissa Bowley, who is also in the TOC Directions Program.

Eric Li, a most recent addition to the TOC Directions Program at Mount Carmel Holy Rosary School, is in the fifth grade. Although he has been learning the violin for less than one year, he has shown tremendous motivation and initiative. After his parents bought him his very own violin, he and sister (who also just began her violin studies this year) started teaching each other the pieces they were learning in music class so they could "double" their repertoire and violin knowledge. Eric is also an excellent artist and has been a great addition to the program.

Keanna Moore is a 5th grade student at P.S. 68 in the Bronx. She has been playing the cello for three years, and loves music. Always enthusiastic, Keanna is happy to help fellow classmates with difficulties. Her hobbies include basketball, babysitting her two younger brothers, and helping her aunt with her hair salon. Keanna always looks forward to her music classes and private cello lessons, and is always excited to perform.

Susan Allen is a 4th grade student at P.S. 68 in the Bronx. Playing the cello is a source of happiness and great self-esteem for her. She feels privileged and special to have private lessons, and eagerly anticipates them each week. As a member of the 4th grade honors cello choir, she is always the first to arrive after lunch and cannot wait to practice. Susan has frequently said that she wants to be a professional cellist when she grows up.

Shanel Grey is a 3rd grade student at P.S. 68 in the Bronx. She started playing piano in the first grade, and now plays violin in addition to her private piano lessons. Shanel is hard-working and focused. She tries her utmost and practices hard at home. Her natural ability manifests itself in her ear training and rhythmic feel. Always smiling and thrilled to be playing an instrument, Shanel is a model student.

Vivicia Moncrieffe is a 2nd grade 4.0 student at P.S. 68 in the Bronx. She started playing the keyboard in Kindergarten and graduated to the piano in the first grade, at which time she was introduced to Ten O'Clock Classics. She loves to sing while practicing at home- it is one of her favorite hobbies. She is also an avid reader. In first grade, for a program called Running Start, Vivicia read the most books, 272 in all. Presently, for the100 Book Challenge, she has read over 370 books and counting! She also loves to jump rope and go shopping with her mother.