A Student’s Mission to Empower Others Through Art and Music

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Bella Cho. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

High school sophomore Bella Cho loves to step on stage and play her flute for eager listeners. But as the co-president and co-founder of Empowering Arts, an organization founded to positively impact the community and environment through music and the multidisciplinary arts, Bella is sharing that love of music with those who normally might not have an opportunity to hear it.

At just 15 years old, Bella’s mission to bring a love of art and music to the masses is a passionate one. Whether she’s playing the flute alongside her older sister Hannah at a senior center or crafting maracas out of empty water bottles and rice, Bella finds a way to bring the music to the masses. Her love of the arts doesn’t stop at music, however. Bella frequently hosts art classes for seniors in rehabilitation centers, helping them find a therapeutic outlet by using recycled materials to express their creativity.

In addition to helping others find their inner artist, Bella actively encourages her fellow students to volunteer their time. At her high school, Orange County School of the Arts, Bella used her network to recruit 50 other students to participate in volunteer work. Her willingness to encourage others to embrace the spirit of volunteering is an inspiring message for all ages.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I really enjoy seeing the impact it has on different people. Not everyone is as fortunate as others, so bringing this light to them makes me feel so happy. I feel like I’m doing good for the entire community.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Empowering Arts.

I volunteer most with my sister. She’s the president of Empowering Arts and I’m the organization’s co-president. We bring music and visual arts to seniors and children with disabilities. I introduce our organization and perform music on my flute. I have also led art classes where I teach them how to do it using recycled products. Sometimes, we’ll make musical instruments and go to senior homes to play music with them or make paintings with reusable materials. We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback. They all say they have a lot of fun at the art classes.

We also do this with children. I go to a place called Gigi’s Playhouse, which provides programming and support for people with Down syndrome and their families. We’ve done art with the kids there as well. For instance, we’ll make maracas with rice and water bottles.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

I really want to grow internationally. Right now, we have a chapter in Georgia, but I really want to spread it all over and share this goal that we have to bring the arts to everyone.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

When seniors say that they feel healed. For example, there was this one woman who said she felt like she was touched by God when she heard our music. I feel like that’s so rewarding for me to know that I’m spreading that joy. It just feels so good when I hear stuff like that.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I’ve learned a lot. I would say I’ve learned compassion through art. Before I started volunteering with Empowering Arts, I kind of played music just to play. I didn’t actually think I could ever make a big change in anyone through music or through art. I learned that art and music can really evoke emotions in other people and spread change.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

If you’re not doing something that you care about, there’s no way to share your passion and make a real change. If you really love doing something, that’s the only way you can truly make an impact. That’s how you spread your love. If you don’t have any true love for what you do, you’re not going to create something big.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Most schools have clubs for nonprofit organizations. I am the club president at my school for Empowering Arts, and I would recommend going to Club Rush if your school has that. Look into your passions. Expand your horizons. Outside of school, social media has become a really big thing for us. I know a lot of different organizations that are on social media. I would advise going on there and looking for different organizations. It’s pretty easy to find those that are looking for help.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I hope people learn to really go for what they want to do. When my sister started Empowering Arts, we didn’t really have an idea about what we wanted to do for our passion project. Then we came up with performances, because my sister and I both love to perform with our musical instruments. Go after the thing you love and make that into something big.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Bella? Find local volunteer opportunities.