{"id":26014,"date":"2025-03-25T17:18:25","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T22:18:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/?p=26014"},"modified":"2025-03-25T17:18:25","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T22:18:25","slug":"celebrating-18-years-of-musical-excellence-honoring-carisa-velez-and-the-power-of-fine-arts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/celebrating-18-years-of-musical-excellence-honoring-carisa-velez-and-the-power-of-fine-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating 18 Years of Musical Excellence: Honoring Carisa Velez and the Power of Fine Arts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26020\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9847-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9847-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9847-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9847-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9847-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9847-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26015\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9851-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9851-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9851-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9851-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9851-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9851-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26019\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9854-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9854-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9854-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9854-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9854-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9854-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26023\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9855-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9855-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9855-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9855-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9855-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9855-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26018\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9861-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9861-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9861-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9861-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9861-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9861-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26021\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9862-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9862-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9862-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9862-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9862-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9862-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26024\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9869-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9869-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9869-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9869-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9869-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9869-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26022\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9870-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9870-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9870-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9870-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9870-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9870-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26016\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9871-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9871-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9871-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9871-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9871-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9871-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"26017\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, FMMS proudly celebrates the 18th anniversary of Carisa Velez\u2019s incredible dedication to our students and school community. As the heart and soul of our choir program, Carisa Velez has inspired countless students to find their voices, build confidence, and develop a lifelong appreciation for music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For nearly two decades, Carisa Velez has transformed FMMS\u2019s choir program into a vibrant and welcoming space where students learn not just to sing, but to express themselves, work as a team, and grow as individuals. Through concerts, competitions, and classroom lessons, she has shown that music is more than just notes on a page\u2014it\u2019s a way to connect, to create, and to build lasting memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the stage, Carisa Velez is a champion of fine arts education. Studies have shown that involvement in music and the arts enhances students\u2019 academic performance, improves social skills, and fosters creativity\u2014skills that benefit them in all areas of life. Choir, band, theater, and visual arts all play a crucial role in shaping well-rounded individuals, and FMMS is fortunate to have passionate educators like Carisa Velez leading the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we celebrate this milestone, we encourage students to explore the arts, whether through choir, band, or other creative outlets. The fine arts are not just an extracurricular\u2014they are an essential part of education, building confidence, discipline, and lifelong appreciation for the beauty of artistic expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you, Carisa Velez, for 18 amazing years of music, mentorship, and inspiration. FMMS is a better place because of you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Photos and video by Mariah Taylor and Dayana Matteos<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arts and AVTC Students currently earning high school credit at FMMS through our CTE Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Carisa Velez Feature\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XfS5HHvct4Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This year, FMMS proudly celebrates the 18th anniversary of Carisa Velez\u2019s incredible dedication to our students and school community. As the heart and soul of our choir program, Carisa Velez has inspired countless students to find their voices, build confidence, and develop a lifelong appreciation for music. For nearly two decades, Carisa Velez has transformed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":315,"featured_media":26017,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2025\/03\/IMG_9863-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"kristymarshall","author_link":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/author\/kristymarshall\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"This year, FMMS proudly celebrates the 18th anniversary of Carisa Velez\u2019s incredible dedication to our students and school community. As the heart and soul of our choir program, Carisa Velez has inspired countless students to find their voices, build confidence, and develop a lifelong appreciation for music. For nearly two decades, Carisa Velez has transformed&hellip;","publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2025-04-30 17:52:49","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category"},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/315"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26014"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26025,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26014\/revisions\/26025"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.risd.org\/forestmeadowms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}