STITCCH
About Us
Creating Meaningful Impact
STITCCH is all about making a difference in society and allowing all people, no matter the income, to have the option of having a little music in their lives. Participants in the program commute every weekend to a shelter in the greater Boston area, and teach the children there how to play stringed instruments. All the participants are high school students that were hand-picked and selected to join the program and have been going to the shelter since the fall of 2023.
Our Founders
The founders of STITCCH have been creating and supporting the program from the very beginning and have shaped and planned the entire program, allowing STITCCH to be where it is today.
Miles Yountz
Program Creator and Leader
Hi! My name is Miles Yountz and I'm a Freshman at Needham High School. I've been playing the violin for over 11 years, since I was 3 years old. My favorite part of playing the violin is the sound of a full orchestra playing together. Starting STITCCH has been a very liberating experience for me, and I'm so proud of all of the kids and instructors in the program. I love helping out at STITCCH because the kids we teach have so much spirit and teaching them violin is one of my favorite things I've ever done. In addition to violin, I love singing and theater, and I compete on my school's speech and debate team.
Maggie Sharrard
Program Founder
My name is Maggie Sharrard, and I have been playing the viola for 6 1/2 years! I love playing the viola in orchestras because I love that I can be a part of a really big sound and group. My favorite part of working with STITCCH is the relationships that I have made with the kids and the other instructors. I think that it's an amazing program, and it's really fun and rewarding. Other than playing viola, I also really like running and theater!
Madeleine Clark
Program Founder
Hi! My name is Madeleine Clark and I have been playing the violin since I was nine years old. From the first time I heard it, I was enchanted by the instrument, and I'm so excited to be able to pass on my love for the violin through STITCCH! I also love helping out at STITCCH because it's truly an amazing experience to watch the eyes of the kids light up as they play their instruments. Aside from the violin, I also play the piano and tennis, and I love to read!
Kenley Myers
Program Founder
Hi! I am Kenley Myers and I have been playing the violin for 6 years. Music is something that I find brings so many people from different cultures, backgrounds, and ages together. It is a way to express yourself, meet so many talented people, and just have a great time. STITCCH is such an incredible program, connecting a community together through music. I love helping out and being able to see everyone grow and share our love of music. I also love to travel and I have a great passion for adventure.
Zoe Berg
Program Founder
Hello!! My name is Zoe and I have been playing the viola for 6 years. My favorite part of music is how it can bring people together as a community. I love helping out at STITCCH because I think learning to create music is an opportunity everyone should have. Outside of STITCCH and Viola I really enjoy drawing and reading!
Our Instructors
The instructors at STITCCH commute every weekend to help out in the program, and have worked very hard to help us expand and evolve the program!
Thank you to our instructors:
Maddy Weirup
Spenser Deng
Mae Alwart
Emma Brau
Emily Raiz
Elizabeth Keefe
Ryan McCarthy
Nina Barzilay
Our Mentors
Special thanks to Rosalie Samter
Rosie has been helping STITCCH out as a mentor and also by joining us at the shelter to fix any instruments that break or need repair. She is a very talented musician, mentor, and teacher.
...and to Mark Smith
Mr. Smith helped the group out by mentoring and teaching our instructors how to work with beginners on string instruments, and has supported the program since the beginning.