Buffalo String Works

Yesterday, our students had the opportunity to perform at a local community event hosted by one of our longtime BSW supporters! It was wonderful to share our students’ music with new faces and introduce more members of the community to Buffalo String Works and our programming.

Interested in getting involved with Buffalo String Works? We’re currently looking for 6 Classroom Volunteers and 3 Non-Music Programming Volunteers to join us this school year!

Classroom Volunteers support our Teaching Artists during music classes and work directly with students. Music experience is preferred, but not required!

Non-Music Programming Volunteers can support our Pre-Program/Homework Help, where students spend time before music classes, or our 5-Day Program, which provides additional activities and mentorship for some of our younger students.

Interested? Fill out the volunteer interest form here: https://airtable.com/appdEN3PuZoy3Uhva/pagomL4f4mCCswfNF/form

It's the first week of lessons at the Niagara Street After School Program!

Meet Isabel Ong, Buffalo String Works’ new Director of Education!

Isabel may be stepping into a new role, but she’s no stranger to BSW. She has been part of our community as a Teaching Artist since 2021, working closely with our students and fellow Teaching Artists over the past five years.

A violinist and educator, Isabel brings a wide range of experience as a performer, teacher, and community-engaged musician. At the heart of her work is a belief that music can be a powerful tool for connection and social change, something that has shaped her work both on and off the stage.

We’re excited to welcome Isabel into this new role and to have her leading our education programs into the year ahead!

A big thank you to the volunteers from Rich Products for spending the afternoon at our Niagara Street site helping us paint and prepare the space for the new school year. With classes starting in just two weeks, their help came at the perfect time. A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered and helped us get one step closer to being ready for the year ahead!

We’re hiring!

Buffalo String Works is looking for a Cello and Viola Teaching Artists to join our team for the 2026–27 school year! We’re looking for dedicated and compassionate musicians and educators who are excited to share their love of music and create meaningful musical experiences for our community.

Interested in joining the BSW community? Send your resume and relevant teaching experience to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Visit buffalostringworks.org/job-openings to view the full job descriptions and learn more.

We’re getting ready for a new school year at Buffalo String Works!

Yesterday, we welcomed our students and families back for orientation. While parents and caregivers learned more about what to expect in the year ahead, students had a chance to catch up with friends over snacks, coloring, and friendship bracelet making.

It was wonderful to have our classrooms filled with students and families again!

A huge thank you to everyone who has already supported our Amazon Wish List! Thanks to your generosity, we’ve received classroom supplies, a new music stand, rosin, and a beanbag chair for our students to enjoy this school year.

There are still plenty of items on our Wish List that will help us keep our classrooms stocked, organized, and ready for another year of music and learning. If you feel moved to support our programming, consider purchasing an item from our Amazon Wish List! Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

Visit the link in our bio to view our Wish List. Thank you for supporting our students!

A new chapter for our Advanced Ensemble!

This year, our Advanced Ensemble is evolving into the BSW Community Ensemble, creating new opportunities for our students to take their music beyond the classroom and into the community.

As part of the Community Ensemble, students will partner with local organizations, exploring how their musicianship can support, uplift, and build relationships throughout Buffalo. Through performances, smaller chamber groups, and community-based projects, students will have a voice in how and where they use their music.