The HCA’s Friday Night Sing-Alongs help adults with disabilities “find their voice,” according to executive director Kelly Grill. PHOTO/KELLY GRILL

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Sept. 20 hosted the first of four free monthly Friday Night Sing-Alongs for adults with disabilities, giving those individuals a safe space to find their voice both literally and in society.

Kelly Grill, executive director of the HCA, explained in an interview with the Independent before the event that the idea was sparked by a conversation about the 18-22 EXCEL program offered by the Hopkinton Public Schools.

“A teacher here was substitute teaching at the 18-22 program for people with disabilities,” she said. “He said, ‘You know, these kids are there all day, and they don’t really have any music or art or anything like that.’ ”

Added Grill: “I’m a big believer in the arts not being a nice-to-have. They are a must-have for all of us in that they promote so much growth. There’s the socialization aspect, the mental health piece, the adrenaline that just flows and makes you feel better.”

While educators struggle to retain arts programs in the schools, “now it’s about the adults,” she stressed.

“What was happening was we had some students who were between the ages of 18-22,” she said. “But once they reached 23 and they were out of the program, we started learning from the teachers and parents that there just wasn’t anything for them after that.

“During the pandemic, we learned how critical it was to connect and not be isolated,” she continued. “There is a hunger to get that spark back when you get together and create something.”

She praised the Michael Lisnow Respite Center for the support it offers this population. But for those who cannot find a place in a respite center or some kind of employment, life can be challenging.

“We realized we needed to expand the programming to beyond ages 18-22 and make it open to everyone,” she said, noting that feedback from parents was critical in designing HCA’s programming.

Grill wrote a few grants and reached out to a few contacts she thought might be interested in collaborating with the HCA. The Rosner Foundation, a family foundation, provided funding for HCA programming for people with disabilities for an entire year.

Dell EMC, a major supporter of the HCA, stepped up its support so that programs could be created to include adults with disabilities. While classes targeting this population occur during the day, inclusive events are offered at night.

Friday Night Sing-Alongs is being directed by Emily Vincent, a professional music teacher who graduated from Berklee College of Music. She teaches students with various disabilities at the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education.

“The message here is you are perfect just the way you are,” Grill stressed.

As for the music selection, Grill said that while Vincent “can play anything, there’s obviously going to be a lot of Taylor Swift.”

Added Grill: “I see adults learning to find their voice because they are in a supportive environment.”

Commenting on Sept. 23 on the first sing-along, Grill stated, “It went really well. We had visitors from as far as Maynard!”

She added that a parent gave her the following quote: “Having these programs at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts fulfills a dream of mine because now my son has a community and a sense of belonging.”

In addition to the monthly sing-along nights, there are open mic nights once a month, Grill added.

“The first open mic night blew me away,” she said. “The singers have so much talent.”

A music class and dance class welcome people of all ages and abilities. Also, a new theater class is about to start, which will lead to an upcoming performance.

“This has really blossomed,” she said of the inclusion effort. “Hopkinton, Holliston and Westborough residents come weekly for a class in visual art, music or dance. Ashland joined the program this year, which is really exciting.”

The socialization aspect is key to the success of these programs because it builds confidence, Grill said. Offering lunch or pizza at night events gives participants a chance to make friends in a supportive environment.

Grill personally experienced this excitement when she was a Hopkinton High School student, she said. She “watched the clock” so that she could gather with her friends in the theater program after school.

Stressed Grill: “What I love is there’s so much evidence out there that the arts are so important for our social and emotional health.”

Friday Night Sing-Alongs will continue on Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 20 in the second-floor loft, which is ADA accessible. For more information, visit the HCA website.