Casita Maria Children’s Choir at Jacqueline Weld Drake’s Annual Caroling Party

Jacqueline Weld Drake, longtime chairman of the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, opened her home once again for her cherished annual holiday caroling party, this year made even more special by the presence of the organization’s children’s choir. Ten young singers gathered by the fireplace to perform festive classics, representing the heart of Casita Maria’s mission.

Jackie Weld Drake with Casita Maria students

“This is why we work so hard at Casita Maria-to give kids a space for community, positivity, learning, and free expression,” Weld Drake said as she welcomed the students, who filled the room with warmth and song.

Executive Director Felix Urrutia echoed her sentiment, noting the organization’s commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities. “We focus our resources on bringing in experienced, educated artists and teachers to work with committed youth, rather than taking a generalist after-school approach,” Urrutia said. “That investment, supported by our Board and donors, is what makes Casita Maria different. It has made a significant impact in the enrichment and skill development of our youth choir, for example, and they have been invited to perform on WNYW TV’s Good Day New York. The entire Casita Maria family is gleaming with pride!”

Children performed Casita Maria’s own anthem-its lyrics celebrating growth, culture, joy, and community followed by spirited renditions of “Winter Wonderland,” “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “Feliz Navidad,” with guests enthusiastically joining in for the finale.

The festive evening drew an elegant crowd, including board members Martha Bograd, Gautam Patel, and Ben Rodriguez-Cubenas, as well as Steven Aronson, Halim Bulos, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Lee Fryd, Susan Gutfreund, Eleanora Kennedy, Sharon King Hoge, Mercedes Levin, William Ivey Long, Alicia Lubowski-Jahn, Fern Mallis, Marc Rosen, Hunt Slonem, Justin Stewart, Mamie Kanfer Stewart, Sabrina Wirth, and Maria Wirth.

Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, the oldest Latin charity in New York City,serves more than 1,000 students each day in the South Bronx, the nation’s poorest zip code. Through high-quality arts programming, the organization provides a safe and inspiring space where youth and families can thrive, dream, and build bright futures.