Our Journey to Rome
Our journey to Rome started in June 2023. A letter was sent to the Vatican asking if our Hearts for Music musicians would be able to play in St. Peter's Square as part of the Jubilee celebrations of persons of disabilities in April 2025.
In August 2023, we were surprised to receive a reply from the Vatican expressing interest in our orchestra. On March 1, 2024, we were astounded to receive a formal invitation from the Vatican Dicastry of evangelization to perform as part of the celebrations of the jubilee of persons with disabilities on April 29, 2025
Our plan is to bring 12 of our beloved Hearts For Music musicians to Rome to perform on April 29, 2025. We also hope to connect with other special needs communities in Rome to form the largest multinational, multi-ethnic, multi-disabilities music ensemble, playing that day. Follow us on our journey; and show us your love and support along the way!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
PERCUSSION SPONSORS ($5,000+)
John J. Adams Scholarship Fund
Donald Lynch Foundation
BRASS SPONSORS ($1,000+)
Cause of Blessed Solanus Casey, Michigan
Downtown Mantua Revitalization
Knights of Columbus #1417
Ledgestone Properties LLC (Sue Thompson)
Larry & Cynthia Mcilnay
Morten Kristensen
Ohio Charity Foundation Knights of Columbus
Ohio Kiwanis Division 26
Rose Reyes
Stark Community Foundation (Roland & Linda Lindsay Charitable Fund)
Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran, Akron Love Offering
STRINGS SPONSORS ($500+)
Jason & Ann Anderson
Cross Country Mortgage Foundation
Heather Evert
Thomas Fishwick
Rick Frato
Mary Gardner
Missionary Society of Salesian Sisters
Kiwanis of Newton Falls, Ohio
Knights of Columbus #4 - 571 St. Joan of Arc
Knights of Columbus OLPH #4186
Knights of Columbus - Pope Pius XII Assembly
Barbara Leahy
Fred Leff
Anthony Mosko
Alicia Rao (AC Passages)
Richard Serlen
Meri Skiera
Stamm Contracting Company, Mantua, Ohio
St. Adalbert Parish, Berea, Ohio
Saint Ignatius High School
St. Nicholas Byzantine
Unity Catholic Federal Union Bank (via 95.5 The Fish)
Karen Vinnedge
Jane Wallace
Robert & Kathy Wujcik
A heartfelt thank you to all of our official sponsors whose generous contributions helped make this event possible —
your partnership means the world to us. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who supported the event in various ways,
even if not listed at a formal sponsor level. Your involvement, encouragement, and belief in our mission are truly valued.
MEET OUR ORCHESTRA
Valarie Baber – Mother
Joyanna Baber – Daughter
Fave food: French fries
Fave hobby or thing to do: Watching
YouTube Kids videos, swimming/ splash park
Fave song to play with HFM: Ode to Joy and Jingle
Cadreienne Lewis
Favorite food: spaghetti
Favorite hobby: Bowling
Favorite song from HFM: Christmas songs
Ethan Werner
Morgan Werner
Jared Werner
and his wife Sabrina Wernerss
Mark Kristensen
with his mother Jennifer Kristensen
Mark’s favourite food: Chocolate brownies
Mark’s favourite thing to do: Running in his walker,
skiing and water skiing
Favorite song to play with HFM:
Everything especially country
Gabrielle Layton
Favorite food: sushi
Favorite hobby or thing to do:
Drawing, painting, making jewelry
Fave song to play with HFM: Over the Rainbow
and any song from “Wicked”
Jessica Novak with parents
Jack Novak and Susan Novak
Jessica’s favorite food: Ribs
Favorite place to be: Colorado
Fave HFM song to play:
When the Saints go marching in.
Journey Bright
with grandmother Cynthia Perrine
and dog Cooper
Therese Kennerk
Favorite food: Hot dog / Pizza,
Favorite hobby or thing to do: Gimkit
Favorite song: Party in the USA
Kimberly Wallen
with father John Wallen
Joseph Tucek
Fave food: Cane's chicken
Fave hobbies or things to do: acting improv,
kayaking, bugging his three brothers
Fave Song: Any pirate song like
Wellerman or Drunken Sailor