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By Benjamin-Emile Le Hay 6/05/12 9:37am

Scooter Star

DJ Kai Song

Eight Year Old DJ Kai Song Shuts Down LES

Skies were blue and the sun was out midday this past Sunday as Scooter trekked over to Lower East Side Business Improvement District’s DayLife street party. Orchard Street was closed to traffic, making way for retrofitted pushcarts with local merchandise. Boutique storefronts poured into the streets, as did dozens of delicious food vendors including Sons of Essex, Mission Chinese, Blue Ribbon Sushi, and The Meatball Shop.

Nearly 10,000 people were estimated to have enjoyed the food, outdoor games (ping pong, urban croquet, badminton, etc.) and music. One bite sized individual that attracted quite a crowd, was eight year old DJ Kai Song. He spun remixes of Gotye and Rihanna outside LES spot Tammany Hall. Scooter caught up with him after his set. Read More

By Benjamin-Emile Le Hay 5/23/12 3:54pm

Scooter Star

Jessica Marty, 7th grader at West Side Collaborative Middle School, flanked by her teacher Novella Bailey to the left and Erika Rauer, NYC Opera's Director of School Programs.

Meet Jessica Marty, West Side Collaborative Middle School 7th Grader-turned-Opera Prima Donna

New York City Opera held its summer gala at Central Park’s Boathouse on May 16 with a special performance by Deborah Voigt and Tony-winner Ted Sperling. Patrons such as Anna Wintour and Sue Carey helped to raise funds for NYCO’s educational programming, which brings its version of opera to New York City’s classrooms.  Kids participate firsthand in special renditions of the high-quality art, enabling them the rare opportunity to expand upon their cultural side.

Despite harsh budget cuts at many city schools, NYC Opera Education worked with 5,000 students in over 40 schools across the five boroughs as well as Westchester, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut in 2010-11. The gala served as a major fundraiser to involve schools that may not be able to afford participation.

Scooter spoke with West Side Collaborative 7th grader Jessica Marty to learn more about her experience with NYC Opera Education. She starred as Violetta in her school’s production of La Traviata. Read More