Now I'm stronger than I've ever been

from Porcelain by JoJo

A night we will all remember - Music Can Help: A Night of R&B with Damaris Rivera, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, and raising funds for the New York State Association for Music Therapy and Music Can Help.

Where do we even start? It was simply magical, and you just had to be there. We can’t wait for you to join us next time!

The evening began with mingling and drinks, spectacular city views and a palpable anticipation for what was to come. In the meantime, our VIPs arrived looking fly as hell and they enjoyed their pick of front row seats and complementary champagne.

TARYN.

TARYN. Sunchild (Taryn Highsmith) is a bicoastal recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, curator, and creative visionary based in Rochester, NY, with deep roots in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Her musical journey began at age three under the guidance of her Grammy-nominated father, Jimmie Tjari Highsmith Jr.

A dynamic performer, TARYN. shines on flute, talkbox, and Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI), and is currently expanding her artistry through the saxophone. She has performed during Grammy Week in Los Angeles, made her Sofar Sounds debut in Philadelphia, and shared stages with Durand Bernarr, Scott Mayo, Danielle Ponder, Dru Hill, and Regina Belle. She has curated annual Grammy Week experiences, bringing emerging artists from multiple cities to Los Angeles for high-profile performances.

She is the co-creator of The Cosmic Lounge, a speakeasy-style open mic featuring silent disco headphone experiences and multi-camera video production, alongside other signature series including The Velvet Hour, The ArChives, and The Sessions. The ArChives, her rapidly growing archival style showcase, has become a standout in her roster, celebrating interdisciplinary artists with intention and style. Taryn currently serves as Entertainment Director for Rochester A.B.O.V.E., bringing her vision, energy, and excellence to the Pan Afrikan Festival and beyond.

Her impact has been recognized by the City of Rochester for her contributions to community engagement and the arts. She has been featured in the Democrat & Chronicle for Women's History Month and highlighted on Good Day Rochester (ABC News). In recognition of her curating and community impact, she was permanently included in a mural on Main Street in her hometown of Rochester, NY - cementing her legacy as a driving force in the city's cultural landscape.

TARYN. serenaded us with her soulful jazz flute to start off the night. We connected with the sound of the running flute notes and her stylistic choices. TARYN.’s playing is humble yet bold, and her set ended with us wanting more. We are so grateful that she was part of this special event.

There was a brief intermission for the band to rearrange the stage and for everyone else to refill their drinks. Guests perused the tables and got to chat with local therapists, learn about clinical music therapy, and purchase some Music Can Help Merch.

The night continued with a speech from music therapist, president of the New York State Association for Music Therapy (NYSAMT), and co-owner of Music Can Help, Kim Best (AKA - the one who’s writing this recap!). It was lengthy as she began with a presentation of the soothing sounds of the ocean drum, shared patient stories (more on that in future posts!), recognized board members visiting from across the state with a shoutout and gifts of gratitude, shared thanks for our amazing sponsors, and ran through some housekeeping.

One important piece of the night was the “no-phone” policy during the second set. As a professional performance, our team decided to ask for phones to be put away and for the audience to be fully present with us in the music. It was evident by the band and audience that this made the night even more impactful. Guests had a moment away from their phones (how often does that happen anymore?!) and really experienced the music for themselves. And selfies were saved for the end of the performance. 😉

Damaris Rivera

Damaris Rivera is a local business owner, philanthropist, and musician deeply rooted in community impact and empowerment. Passionate about creating generational wealth through real estate, Damaris is committed to uplifting vulnerable communities, advocating for animal welfare, and bringing awareness to mental health initiatives.

No stranger to the music scene, Damaris has reignited her artistic journey in a new phase of life, blending purpose, passion, and authenticity into her craft. With new music and projects on the horizon, she continues to use her voice not only to entertain, but to inspire and connect with others on a deeper level.

Everyone present on May 21st at the Penthouse had a chance to be part of something bigger than themselves. They supported the many people who will benefit from music therapy and the professionals who are going out each day working with the most vulnerable people. Damaris gave us all an opportunity to step into her shoes, not just musically, but philanthropically. It is the music, it is the message. It was all of us, there in that room. 

We were all part of something really special that night. We were part of breaking the stigma around mental health and normalizing conversations about depression, anxiety, ptsd, grief, etc. We have all experienced mental health challenges and we all know and love someone who also struggles with their mental health. In the world we live in, loneliness and isolation are more prevalent than ever, but this event was a statement to one another to collectively say “You’re not alone. I’m here with you. Let’s do this together.”

As Kim’s speech came to an end, we were left with this:

“The antidote to loneliness is community, and music can help.”

The beat dropped and Damaris rushed in with energy and vigor. This was the moment we had all been waiting for, and it was nothing short of epic. The band was incredible - it didn’t feel like we were in our little city of Rochester, NY anymore.

Throughout the music, Damaris brought us into her world, both musically and emotionally. She shared some of her story and what it was like stepping back into music. There were tears, laughter, and deep feelings in our souls. Our bodies moved to the music and we exchanged glances of hope and love. The music brought us together.

Rochester’s skyline graced us with vibrant sunset hues, and they sunk into a deep dark blue with twinkling stars up above. At the end of the set, there was a show of fireworks behind the band (from the ESL Ballpark - Redwing’s stadium), and this just so happened to coincide with Damaris singing Diamonds by Rihanna, sending chills down our spine!

Family, friends, and the whole host of sponsors poured out their love. They shared flowers, pictures, and drinks for the band. There was a buzz in the air from what we all experienced that night. Joy, love, and more than anything - connection. With the music, and each other. Our spirits were filled and our collective mental health felt uplifted.

So, if you were there that night, thank you. Thank you for supporting the conversation around mental health. And thank you for supporting the music therapists who provide our communities with the most creative, musical ways to express emotions, work on rehabilitative goals, and most importantly - feel well. Thank you for engaging in an evening of music, and really being there with us (without your phones!). Thank you for helping us launch the New York State Association for Music Therapy and getting to know our very own local business that put this whole night together: Music Can Help.

As JoJo said in Porcelain, “Now I'm stronger than I've ever been.”

(P.S. we raised over $15,000!)

PHOTO GALLERY