The DREAM Music Program

Both Artists Launch the First Bachata Course in the World 

This past July, Latin Grammy nominee Leslie Grace and the multitalented artist Henry Santos re-connected with their roots through a visit to Dominican Republic and The DREAM Project, lending a hand to their innovative work in The DREAM Music Program.

The two artists surprised more than 300 at risk youth participating in the DREAM Summer Schools and Camps program in Cabarete, learning more about the organization first hand, giving inspirational talks about the impact music has had on their lives and performing two intimate shows with the young musicians from the DREAM Music Program and the DREAM IASO Bachata Academy. This special program, within the DREAM Music School, is first of its kind, teaching bachata and music education to hundreds of local youth.

The two artists wasted no time jumping right into both the summer program classrooms and music center, chatting with young learners, learning about their interests and inspiring them to continue their education. After touring the center and participating with the kids, both Henry and Leslie gave very personal, interactive chats about their lives, the role music has played in them and how hard work and dedication changed their paths for the better. The young musicians prepared some of the hits by both vocalists, who could not resist performing with the students and creating a few memories to last a lifetime.

Henry Santos, who is very active in various charitable endeavors, was stunned to hear the young bachateros perform the music from his upcoming single that has not been released, “Y Eres Tan Bella” and could not help himself from jumping on stage and singing with the kids.

Henry Santos stated,“To hear your music performed by others is always the ultimate compliment, but to sit and listen to a group of 10 year old children play your newest single with such talent, it was absolutely overwhelming for me. Music is an incredible tool, it opens up the creative process, stimulates a child in ways that nothing else can. I was fortunate to connect to music at a young age, just like these kids, and I want to make it my task to help the first children’s bachata music program in the world to continue to flourish and create hope for many.”

Much like Henry’s rise to fame, Leslie Grace, performing this Thursday in the Premios Juventud, has become one of the music industry’s most popular young talents. As soon as she arrived to the DR, Leslie drove straight to Sosua, Puerto Plata to speak with a group from DREAM’s workforce development program A Ganar, which takes 16 to 24 year olds through a six month training program aimed at both employment and getting them back in school. The young DREAMers showered Leslie with questions and listened as she described her own struggles, traveling, recording, performing, sometimes flying all night and taking a car straight to her classes in high school. After her talk with A Ganar, Leslie participated in a Master Class with the DREAM Music Program and performed with them, singing “Be My Baby” and a number of impromptu songs with the beaming musicians.

“This is where it all starts, a single moment that can define the decisions and dreams a child will engage in next. I was so proud to teach these incredible young musicians my music and share the experiences of my career with the A Ganar students”, commented Leslie Grace.

Both Henry Santos and Leslie Grace will co-host The DREAM Project’s annual NYC Fundraiser, Sueños 2015, held this November 12^th at the exclusive 40/40 Club in NYC. This star-studded event will host the very best from the Dominican and Hispanic global community, honoring MLB All Star Robinson Cano and his work with his RC22 Foundation, building a ground breaking Montessori Preschool and Education Center in his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris.