International Children's Arts Network and Music Workshop Release 'ICAN Listen' Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S ARTS NETWORK AND MUSIC WORKSHOP  
RELEASE ‘ICAN LISTEN’ SERIES
 

Program Encouraging Active Listening Premieres on All Classical Radio’s ICAN Radio and is Available to Educators Worldwide Through Music Workshop’s Free Portal 

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PORTLAND, OR – All Classical Radio (ACR) and Music Workshop have collaborated on a new youth-anchored music appreciation series titled ICAN Listen. The program airs on ACR’s International Children’s Arts Network (ICANradio.org) beginning March 26, 2026, and a video edition of ICAN Listen will be accessible free of charge as a lesson plan to educators globally via the Music Workshop portal (musicworkshop.org).  

ICAN Listen features teenage youth presenters from schools throughout the Portland metropolitan area, sharing their thoughts, feelings, and inspirations after listening to an impactful piece of music. Designed for classrooms and for families, the series encourages meaningful conversations through authentic young voices and shared experiences that celebrate music’s power to connect us all. 

The five-episode program was created and produced by Music Workshop and recorded at ACR’s Moonflower Studios, a studio space dedicated to ICAN production, youth programming, and mentorship. The teen hosts for ICAN Listen season 1 are Lilianna Calderon, Diarra Mboup, Parker Mersereau, Momo Nealon, Elaina Stuppler, and Ethan Wittmayer. The episodes explore "Happy Song" by College Boy Jessie; "Sky World" written by Bear Fox and sung by Theo Swathe; "Bii Biyelgee" by The Hu; "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo?ole, and "Hound Dog" by Big Mama Thornton.  

Music Workshop (musicworkshop.org) creates and delivers free, culturally responsive, music-empowered curriculum and learning experiences for students worldwide, while providing interactive online professional development resources for K–12 educators through its digital platform. The International Children’s Arts Network (ICANradio.org), ACR’s second station, is a free HD and web-streaming network serving children, families, caregivers, and educators. ICAN is one of the few noncommercial youth-focused arts networks in the country, providing a unique screen-free way for children and their families to engage with music, literature, and the arts. ICAN prominently features the work and voices of student reporters and contributors, ages 4-16. ACR and ICAN regularly share their resources with partner organizations, opening their studios and platforms for local arts and education organizations to create and promote enriching programming.

“All Classical Radio’s International Children’s Arts Network commits daily to uplifting youth voices, expanding access to music and art, and building confidence and creativity through fun, educational programming,” says ICAN and ACR Radio Network Program Director Brandi Parisi. “Our partnership with Music Workshop was a natural fit: ICAN Listen is a perfect example of how music can empower youth to find their voices, learn, and grow. It also shows how we can accomplish incredible things when we share resources with our community partners.”

“Music education is a necessity, not a luxury. We are committed to creating inspiring music education that is accessible to all,” says Amy Richter, Founder & CEO of Music Workshop. “We are so proud of the students who led ICAN Listen; they did a phenomenal job guiding young people to be curious about music and to feel confident in their interpretations. We are grateful to All Classical Radio for serving as our production and broadcasting partner. Recording in All Classical Radio’s Moonflower Studio was an incredible experience for our youth presenters and elevated the quality of what we were able to achieve together. Now, releasing the show through All Classical Radio’s International Children’s Arts Network, even more students will experience this program,” she adds.

The five episodes of the first season of ICAN Listen will air on ICAN Radio Thursdays at 5:00 PM PT, with an encore broadcast Sundays at 12:00 PM PT, beginning March 26, 2026. Teachers may access ICAN Listen videos via the Music Workshop Portal.  

• Ep. 1, (ICAN airdate Thursday, March 26 at 5:00 PM PT | Sunday, March 29 at noon PT) - Happy Song, from Latin America & the Caribbean
  In this first episode of ICAN Listen, students lead the way in exploring music’s power to inspire joy and connection. Featuring College Boy Jessie’s uplifting “Happy Song”—a piece also included in Music Workshop’s Latin America & the Caribbean Course—the episode invites peers to share reflections on identity, culture, and well-being.  

• Ep. 2, (ICAN airdate Thursday, April 2 at 5:00 PM PT | Sunday, April 5 at noon PT) - Bii Biyelgee, from Music from Asia: East Asia
  In this second episode of ICAN Listen, students explore how music can express strength, identity, and tradition across generations. Featuring “Bii Biyelgee” by the Mongolian band The Hu, from Music Workshop’s Music from Asia: East Asia course, the episode invites students to reflect on cultural pride, resilience, and the powerful ways music connects people to their history.  

• Ep. 3, (ICAN airdate Thursday, April 9 at 5:00 PM PT | Sunday, April 12 at noon PT) - Sky World, from Native American Traditional Music
  In this third episode of ICAN Listen, students explore the deep connections between music, grief, and cultural identity. Featuring “Sky World,” written by Bear Fox and sung by Theo Swathe, from Music Workshop’s Native American Traditional Music course, the episode invites students to reflect on gratitude, belonging, and the role of music in honoring community and the natural world. 

• Ep.4, (ICAN airdate Thursday, April 16 at 5:00 PM PT | Sunday, April 19 at noon PT) -  Somewhere Over the Rainbow, from Strings
  In this fourth episode of ICAN Listen, students explore how music can evoke calm, hope, and emotional connection. Featuring “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo?ole, the episode invites listeners to reflect on how simplicity, tone, and feeling shape the way music communicates meaning.  

• Ep. 5, (ICAN airdate Thursday, April 23 at 5:00 PT | Sunday, April 26 at noon PT) - Hound Dog, from Birth of Rock 1950s  
  In this fifth episode of ICAN Listen, students dive into how music can carry emotion, attitude, and cultural influence across time. Featuring “Hound Dog” by blues legend Big Mama Thornton, the episode invites students to explore themes of voice, empowerment, and the roots of musical styles that continue to shape popular music today. Through guided listening and student reflections, learners consider how artists use performance to express personality, tell stories, and influence generations.  

 
About Music Workshop
Music Workshop is a Portland-based nonprofit working to ensure that every student has access to the power of music - in school and in life. Through free, culturally responsive, music-empowered curriculum, Music Workshop supports teachers in over 19,000 schools worldwide, helping millions of students connect music to their identities, communities, and well-being. 

Its classroom-ready lessons explore genres, instruments, global cultures, and careers in music. These resources spark curiosity and connection, foster meaningful discussion, and create opportunities for students to see themselves reflected in their learning while discovering new perspectives through music. The organization also provides professional development courses that equip educators across all subject areas to use music as a tool for engagement, classroom management, connection, and emotional wellness.  

At its core, Music Workshop believes music is a pathway to confidence, belonging, and lifelong learning. Learn more, or support Music Workshop in bringing more free resources to teachers and students worldwide, at musicworkshop.org.

About ICAN
The International Children’s Arts Network (ICAN) is a dedicated radio station for children to listen, learn, and celebrate the joy of being a child. ICAN provides access to the arts for all and nurtures a love for music and literature through educational, multicultural arts and STEAM programming. Powered by All Classical Radio, ICAN is available regionally on HD-2 radio, mobile app, smart speakers, and at icanradio.org 24/7, with select features available on demand. ICAN’s youth-hosted content is produced and distributed from its Moonflower Studio in Downtown Portland. In 2025, ICAN was named the recipient of the Oregon Symphony’s prestigious Schnitzer Wonder Award.

About All Classical Radio
All Classical Radio is consistently ranked in the top 3 classical radio stations in the USA. The network is recognized for its bold collaborations and outreach and for broadcasting 98% locally produced programming, including innovative music playlists, interviews, live broadcasts, and arts and culture specials. Home to the groundbreaking Artist Anthology and the International Children’s Arts Network, All Classical Radio is one of the first classical stations in the nation to name artists and composers in residence and to develop robust youth journalism mentorships. 

Broadcasting from the heart of Downtown Portland, All Classical Radio is an independent and community-funded radio station, providing unparalleled access to classical music, outstanding performances, information about the arts, and more since 1983. Serving nearly 250,000 local households in Oregon and SW Washington, All Classical Radio reaches over a million listeners online in 100 countries around the globe. Listen at 89.9 FM in Portland or anywhere in the world at allclassical.org. 

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Media Contact:

Allison Van Etten

Vice President, 8VA Music Consultancy

323.449.5030, allison@8vamusicconsultancy.com