Our Approach
Our Vision
By providing enriching opportunities in music and the arts, we hope to create support and continuity in the lives of children in the foster care system.
Our Story
Who is Foster the Arts?
Suzanne Jackson
Founder & CEO
Suzanne Jackson helps people find their true voice through music, yoga and meditation. She spent 25 years on stage at the Kennedy Center as a resident artist with the Washington National Opera, received her Masters Degree in Voice Performance from The University of Maryland and teaches her unique method of conscious singing entitled YogaSing ™ to artists around the country. She created Foster the Arts based on an inspiration from her children's book, Penny the Piano.
Akhila Yalvigi
Website Manager
Akhila Yalvigi joined the Foster the Arts team shortly after starting YogaSing lessons with Suzanne. She currently serves as the website manager for Foster the Arts and created the website's online lesson directory earlier this year. Over the years, she has developed passions for both the arts and STEM and is excited to combine them through her work for the Foster the Arts website. She hopes to see Foster the Arts grow and inspire as many children as possible!
Catherine Morrow
Outreach Coordinator
Catherine Morrow grew up in the foster system and now works in Delaware as a trust administrator for CSC. She works as a social media volunteer for Foster the Arts because she is passionate about helping Foster Children reach their potential and build their self esteem through the arts. She studied Psychology at Immaculata University and Legal Studies/Business at Wilmington University. She is the mother of three children and is involved in many volunteer organizations.
Suzanne's Inspiration
My first experience with a foster child was when Catherine first came to me as a voice student. I soon realized she was paying for her lessons with the money that she made from working at a fast food restaurant. From that time on, she never paid for another voice lesson. When I asked her why she was so determined to study music she said: “Music saved my life. I found a new life when I listen to music; it heals my heart and sometimes helps dry up my tears.” Being a part of Catherine’s story inspired me to create a program that provides foster children with the gift of music. I have been a music teacher for 30 years and Catherine helped me to realize that Music and the Arts can create valuable continuity in the lives of foster children where there is none. Catherine shared that music was her only constant through all of her moves from home to home.