There is a magic to learning to love this world – not simply through our own lived experiences, but also by way of the stories that shape our perspectives. Heroes and damsels, verse and soliloquy – each narrative, fictional or not, is a subtle transformation of what we believe to be possible. “Reading essentially was a big part of my childhood growing up, and it opened avenues that I did not...

Golden light pours from the slightly melodramatic lamps stationed around the room in harmony with the soft melody floating in from the ajar door. Orchestra director Neal Springer overlooks the practice session, cup of steaming coffee in hand. “We teach six orchestras every single day and sometimes we have an after school rehearsal,” Springer said. “[We’re] not just teaching the students...