A Seattle woman known across the world for her singing ability now uses that talent to give local kids, including those with special needs, confidence and poise.
Drop by one of Bernadette Bascom's music sessions and you'll be amazed at the results.
"Because I know they need it and I know they need it. I don't care who you are, there's a place in you that's shaped like giving," said Bascom.
Bascom has been singing for decades. She's recorded albums, sang on the Las Vegas strip, and was the first artist ever signed to Stevie Wonder's label.
"He showed me that no matter how big you get, you owe something back."
"I'm not singing six nights a week with two performances a night, which I did for 25 years, anymore. But I still have so much to give," said Bascom.
So for the past 11 years, she's been pursuing a passion project: Teaching thousands of children to develop their speaking skills and have confidence.
"Humble. It makes me feel that something bigger than me gave me something like this," said Bascom.
"I used to have speech problems and now since I sing it makes me think about how to talk better and clearer," said student Skyler Gratton
"Confidence, that's all. It makes me feel like I can go and do it at home and not worry about how I sound."
Paula Blankenship's 19-year-old daughter, Melissa, has autism and is epileptic.
"She has given these kids such confidence and such love and I've watched these kids. Some of them could barely talk and they have just blossomed in speaking," said Blankenship, "It's given my daughter confidence, a place to sing and a place where she feels like she belongs."
Breathing life into Bascom's lesson, we all need to sing together.
"Life isn't all about you. It's about what you can do for others. And I find so much joy in doing it, I really do," said Bascom.
These students will perform a concert in December at the Northshore performing arts theater. To learn more about the music project, visit, musicprojectnorthshore.org.
