Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 32 minutes ago
Laura and I consider ourselves incredibly lucky to call Dee and Suzette Snider our dear friends.
In addition to our friendship, I was part of Dee's Van Helsing’s Curse project, and he performed with us (and over 200 kids from all 5 boroughs of NYC) for the launch of the Mark Wood Music Foundation. The entire Snider family has been very special to us for many years.
So when Laura decided to perform and workshop “We’re Not Gonna Take It” with the elementary students at Grand Canyon School — the only school in the country located inside a national park — and I came along as a guest artist, I had to capture part of the rehearsal and text it to Dee.
Within minutes, he responded with an unforgettable video message for the kids… and another reminder to all of us of what an incredibly generous and inspiring person he is and how much he supports the arts.
Moments like this are exactly why Laura and I continue our Electrify Your Symphony music education programs across the country. Music education gives young people confidence, connection, creativity, and a sense of belonging — things our kids need now more than ever. Seeing these students light up through music is a powerful reminder of why this work matters so deeply to us.
I’m so excited to share this special moment with you.
Find out more about my Electrify Your Symphony music education program at electrifyyoursymphony.com
Find out more about The Mark Wood Music Foundation at mwmfoundation.org
Laura and I consider ourselves incredibly lucky to call Dee and Suzette Snider our dear friends.
In addition to our friendship, I was part of Dee's Van Helsing’s Curse project, and he performed with us (and over 200 kids from all 5 boroughs of NYC) for the launch of the Mark Wood Music Foundation. The entire Snider family has been very special to us for many years.
So when Laura decided to perform and workshop “We’re Not Gonna Take It” with the elementary students at Grand Canyon School — the only school in the country located inside a national park — and I came along as a guest artist, I had to capture part of the rehearsal and text it to Dee.
Within minutes, he responded with an unforgettable video message for the kids… and another reminder to all of us of what an incredibly generous and inspiring person he is and how much he supports the arts.
Moments like this are exactly why Laura and I continue our Electrify Your Symphony music education programs across the country. Music education gives young people confidence, connection, creativity, and a sense of belonging — things our kids need now more than ever. Seeing these students light up through music is a powerful reminder of why this work matters so deeply to us.
I’m so excited to share this special moment with you.
Find out more about my Electrify Your Symphony music education program at electrifyyoursymphony.com
Find out more about The Mark Wood Music Foundation at mwmfoundation.org
