Three Oaks, MI — The School of American Music (SAM) is proud to announce the launch of My Name Is, a bold new community-wide musical initiative designed to celebrate identity, promote kindness, and stand up against bullying through the power of music. The project will culminate in a large-scale public performance on June 21, 2026, at Dewey Cannon Park in Three Oaks, bringing together students, educators, musicians, choirs, and community members of all ages.
At a time when bullying and social isolation continue to impact young people at alarming rates, My Name Is offers a creative, inclusive response - one rooted in listening, shared voice, and human connection. The project invites participants not just to perform, but to take part in a meaningful artistic experience that affirms the importance of every individual’s name, story, and presence.
My Name Is was conceived and composed by Beth Bradfish, an acclaimed composer and sound artist known for creating immersive musical environments that invite audiences to experience sound in deeply personal and physical ways. Bradfish joined SAM in 2025 as an instructor and she also serves on the school’s board of directors.
Inspired by the rise in bullying she has witnessed in schools and communities, as well as by composer David Lang’s participatory work Crowd Out, Bradfish created My Name Is as a counterbalance - an artistic act of affirmation, empathy, and courage.
Bradfish is a nationally recognized artist whose work spans chamber music, orchestral compositions, sound installations, and interactive sonic environments. She has served as an artist-in-residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has received numerous grants and residencies, including support from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Ragdale, Harvestworks New Media (NYC), and High Concept Labs. In 2024, her work was featured at the Urban + Nature Sonic Pavilion in Millennium Park
Musical and choral direction for My Name Is will be led by Donna M. Mitchell, a respected music educator and faculty member at the School of American Music. Mitchell will work closely with participating teachers, choirs, and musicians to prepare students and community members for the final performance.
The program was successfully piloted in 2025 with fifth and sixth-grade students at Springfield Elementary School in Michigan City, Indiana, where students engaged enthusiastically with the music and its message. Building on that success, SAM is now expanding My Name Is into a regional initiative that will involve multiple elementary and high schools, church choirs, local musicians, and civic groups, with the goal of engaging hundreds of participants culminating in a community-wide performance on June 21, 2026 in Dewey Cannon Park located in Three Oaks, MI.
Participation in My Name Is is open to students, educators, singers, musicians, and volunteers. SAM is also seeking community partners and sponsors to help support the project and ensure that participation remains accessible to all. Sponsorships and volunteers will play a key role in funding educational workshops, artist fees, production costs, and outreach.
“This project is about more than music,” said Heidi Smith, Executive Director of the School of American Music. “It’s about creating space for people to be seen, heard, and valued. My Name Is has the potential to bring our community together in a deeply human way - and to start conversations that matter.”
Additional details, participation opportunities, and volunteer information will be announced in the coming weeks. Community members, educators, and media outlets are encouraged to follow the project as it develops.
For more information and to get involved visit www.schoolofamericanmusic.com or follow the School of American Music on Facebook at facebook.com/schoolofamericanmusic.
About the School of American Music
Founded in 2012, the School of American Music (SAM) is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to making music education and performance accessible to all in Harbor Country and beyond. Through concerts, classes, outreach programs, and festivals, SAM celebrates the power of music to connect, inspire, and transform lives.