Buffalo String Works

Join us on Wednesday, October 28th for a special evening at BSW. We’re inviting YOU - the donors who make Buffalo String Works possible - to come see your impact in action! We’ll open the doors to our Niagara Street space for a behind-the-scenes tour, where you’ll see our students learning, hear updates about programming, and meet our new Education Director.

Two tour times are available at 4:30pm and 5:00pm. After, we’ll head over to Britesmith Brewing for a drink on us!

This evening is a chance for us to thank you for your support and give you a closer look at the work you're making possible.

SPOTS ARE LIMITED. To RSVP, email [email protected] or call/text (716) 238-0328

Congratulations to Koon Ta from Ms. Bella's Team C Cello class for being this week's Student of the Week!

“He is always setting a good example for the other students in class by going out of his way to be helpful and trying his best in everything we do. As a musician, he is working hard to learn the cello and is always willing to try new and challenging things. We are lucky to have Koon Ta La in our group this semester!”

Keep up the good work, Koon Ta!

A huge thank you to the Tower Foundation and its Community Experts Fund for supporting Buffalo String Works. Watch a video celebrating the young adult grantmakers who make up the Community Experts Team, featuring our very own students, Htee and Tin, alongside Executive Director Melinda Smith.

Watch the full video at https://2025.thetowerfoundation.org/youth-voice-and-pgm/

Yesterday, our students had the opportunity to perform at a local community event hosted by one of our longtime BSW supporters! It was wonderful to share our students’ music with new faces and introduce more members of the community to Buffalo String Works and our programming.

Interested in getting involved with Buffalo String Works? We’re currently looking for 6 Classroom Volunteers and 3 Non-Music Programming Volunteers to join us this school year!

Classroom Volunteers support our Teaching Artists during music classes and work directly with students. Music experience is preferred, but not required!

Non-Music Programming Volunteers can support our Pre-Program/Homework Help, where students spend time before music classes, or our 5-Day Program, which provides additional activities and mentorship for some of our younger students.

Interested? Fill out the volunteer interest form here: https://airtable.com/appdEN3PuZoy3Uhva/pagomL4f4mCCswfNF/form

It's the first week of lessons at the Niagara Street After School Program!

Meet Isabel Ong, Buffalo String Works’ new Director of Education!

Isabel may be stepping into a new role, but she’s no stranger to BSW. She has been part of our community as a Teaching Artist since 2021, working closely with our students and fellow Teaching Artists over the past five years.

A violinist and educator, Isabel brings a wide range of experience as a performer, teacher, and community-engaged musician. At the heart of her work is a belief that music can be a powerful tool for connection and social change, something that has shaped her work both on and off the stage.

We’re excited to welcome Isabel into this new role and to have her leading our education programs into the year ahead!

A big thank you to the volunteers from Rich Products for spending the afternoon at our Niagara Street site helping us paint and prepare the space for the new school year. With classes starting in just two weeks, their help came at the perfect time. A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered and helped us get one step closer to being ready for the year ahead!

We’re hiring!

Buffalo String Works is looking for a Cello and Viola Teaching Artists to join our team for the 2026–27 school year! We’re looking for dedicated and compassionate musicians and educators who are excited to share their love of music and create meaningful musical experiences for our community.

Interested in joining the BSW community? Send your resume and relevant teaching experience to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Visit buffalostringworks.org/job-openings to view the full job descriptions and learn more.