Local Teens Bring Adaptive Music to Children with Special Needs

McLean, VA - September 2025 - Local students are bringing the joy of music to children with developmental and special needs through Bright Beats, a youth-led nonprofit organization started in McLean, VA.

This summer, Bright Beats volunteers supported Fairfax County Public Schools’ Preschool Autism Classrooms (PAC) and led adaptive music sessions filled with sing-alongs, rhythm games, and instrument play. Teachers and families embraced the program with enthusiasm.

“Bright Beats is about creating a community where every child feels supported. With music, we can bring people together in a way that words sometimes can’t,” said founder Ryan Qi, an 11th grader at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Bright Beats is now working with FCPS schools, libraries, and Fairfax County Recreation Centers to expand programming during the 2025–26 school year. Virtual sessions remain available for families year-round.

“Sometimes little kids open up more with other kids than with adults. I love seeing them smile when I sit beside them and play music together,” added co-founder Anna Qi, a 7th grader at Longfellow Middle School. “We’re excited to grow these opportunities and support more children in Northern Virginia.”

About Bright Beats

Bright Beats is a youth-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to share the joy and power of music with children of all abilities. Bright Beats offer free, interactive sessions that include sing-alongs, rhythm games, and instrument play to support connection, learning, and growth. Programs are inclusive, welcoming children with developmental or learning differences, and are available virtually and in person.

For more information or to sign up for a session, visit www.brightbeats.org.