The community living room at the Ronald McDonald House on Holcombe Boulevard was alive with music Nov. 12 as patients and their families gathered in the cozy space, some seated on couches, others on chairs pulled close together. For a moment, the worries that brought them to the facility faded as melodies filled the room. The musicians — students from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music — introduced themselves and their instruments, blending classical works with familiar Disney tunes.
For the musicians of JUMP! (Just for U Music Program), it was another example of how music can transcend boundaries and bring people together. JUMP! has been a fixture at Rice since 1998 when Shepherd alumnus Caen Thomason-Redus founded the program to share music with underserved communities. Today, it’s a student-led initiative that combines performance, education and connection.
“There’s nothing like it,” said Eamon Luca Riley, a junior cellist and JUMP! co-coordinator. “Obviously, performing is always rewarding — that’s kind of why we do it — but this is a different level of rewarding. You see how much joy it brings to people who are very ill. Seeing them light up with joy and asking all their questions is very special.”
The concert included a mix of chamber music and familiar tunes. Riley, alongside fellow co-coordinator and junior violist Camille Cole, performed pieces designed to engage listeners of all ages.
“It’s honestly really inspiring,” Cole said. “Every time we go, it’s just amazing to see people that are so engaged and really interested in what you’re doing. It really makes a musician feel like they can actually make a difference.”
For graduate bassoonist Kahlan Yenney, it was her first performance with JUMP!, and she called the experience “unforgettable.”
“The interaction with them in the Q&A at the end was probably one of my favorite parts,” Yenney said. “It started with people thinking it was an oboe. Then I got to tell them about how it has all the thumb keys. It’s always really fun introducing that to people.”
Moments like these are what make JUMP! special. The program’s mission is to bring music to those who might not otherwise experience it — whether in schools, community centers or places like the Ronald McDonald House. Guided by Janet Rarick, associate professor of music career development, JUMP! focuses on performances that foster close interaction between musicians and audiences. The musicians explain their instruments, share insights about the music and encourage listeners to engage emotionally and intellectually.
“I like the idea that the young people and community members who we are serving have exposure to classical music, learn how to appreciate it and learn how this wonderful art form connects to their lives,” Rarick said. “I want them to be inspired.”
JUMP! also benefits the Shepherd School students who volunteer their time and talents. For Riley, the program offers a rare chance to connect with the wider community.
“A lot of what we do is in the practice room and can feel a bit isolated from actual society,” Yenney said. “So being able to actually have an impact on the lives of people felt so good.”
“JUMP! allows us to bring music to people who truly enjoy it,” Riley said.
The program’s outreach extends to other venues where performances are tailored to engage all listeners in accessible ways. JUMP! concerts often include introductions to instruments, interactive Q&A sessions and even playful musical surprises.
As Rarick and the student coordinators plan future performances, they remain focused on JUMP!’s core mission: using music to inspire, connect and uplift.
“It’s a chance for us to share our passion for music with people who might not have the opportunity to come to Shepherd and listen to us play,” Cole said. “It’s really cool to feel like you’re making a difference.”
Learn more about the Shepherd School here.