Our story

Care is not only medical.

We are a group of high school students who believe that care is not only medical. Care is a song someone remembers from their youth, a poem read slowly on a quiet afternoon, a shared movement that reminds the body it can still move with joy.

Echoes of Care started with a simple observation: growing older often brings quieter days — friends and family may live far away, mobility may be limited, and the rhythm of a full life can slow. As young people with time, energy, and a love of the arts, we wanted to help. So we bring music, poetry, and creativity directly to the senior centers, libraries, and care communities near us.

Why we do this

Every session we lead is designed to do two things at once — to relax, easing anxiety and loneliness, and to revive, sparking memory, expression, and connection. And we get as much as we give: the chance to hear remarkable life stories, to learn from the generation before us, and to close the distance between young and old.

The difference it makes

Comfort & calm
Familiar songs and gentle words ease anxiety, restlessness, and low moods.
Memory & connection
The arts reawaken cherished memories and spark conversation, even when other words have faded.
Dignity & joy
Singing, reciting, and creating remind each person they are a whole, expressive human being — not just a patient.
A bridge between generations
Students and seniors share time, stories, and friendship that enrich both.

Who we serve

Seniors in assisted living and residential care — including those living with dementia, Alzheimer's, or limited mobility.
Members of senior centers and community day programs — active older adults seeking connection and enrichment.
Library patrons and their communities — where public programs welcome seniors alongside all ages.
Caregivers and families — looking for meaningful, calming activities to share with a loved one.
Volunteers, musicians, poets, and artists — who want to give their time and talent to a cause that matters.

Our team

Echoes of Care is led by a small team of high school volunteers who plan the sessions, choose the music and poems, and show up with a smile.

Riya Sinha
Poetry Director
Hi! I’m Riya Sinha, and I’m currently in 9th grade. I’m the Poetry Director at Echoes of Care, where I get to combine my love for creativity with my passion for helping others. Outside of creative writing, I enjoy sketching, listening to music (specifically Alec Benjamin or Lana Del Rey), making DIY projects, and watching anime. A fun fact about me is that I have heterochromia, which means my eyes are different colors — one is black and the other is brown!
Peshani Vadlamudi
Vice President
Hi! I’m Peshani Vadlamudi, and I’m in 9th grade. I love socializing and getting to know everyone! I do Indian classical dance and Carnatic music, and I also love painting. I’ve been playing the flute for the past three years, and I’ve been part of both middle school and high school band, including marching band. One fun fact about me is that I’m a lefty! I joined this because I’m excited to meet new people, try new things, and be part of something fun.
Dhritil Bandaru
President
Hello everyone! My name is Dhritil Bandaru, and I’m a freshman at IHS. I’ve been playing the piano since first grade and the trumpet since sixth grade. Driven by my passion for music, I wanted to give back to the community, so I teamed up with my good friends and together we started Echoes of Care. In my free time, I enjoy 3D printing/CAD modeling and singing. I used to sing Carnatic songs in my childhood. My favorite song is “How” by Dhruv.
Varun
Director of Entertainment
Hello! I’m Varun, a 9th grader who strongly believes in peace and therefore does not enjoy world destruction. In my free time, I enjoy chess, reading, and the periodic table, because apparently memorizing 118 elements counts as fun. Fun fact: my favorite font is Times New Roman — yes, I have strong opinions about fonts. I joined this group as an MC because I love spending time with my incredibly talented friends and making people laugh. As for comedy, I started about 0 years ago, which means I’m either a complete beginner or somehow already ahead of schedule. I’ll let you decide!
Gia George
Secretary
Hi everybody, my name is Gia George and I’m a freshman at IHS. I’ve been playing flute since fifth grade, and I’ve also done bansuri in eighth grade. I joined this group because I love to make people smile and feel joy in sharing my love for music. In my free time I enjoy reading novels and drawing. A fun fact about me is that I actually wanted to become a fashion designer in sixth grade! My favorite song is “Borderline” by Tame Impala.
Willard
Director of Music
Hello everyone, my name is Willard, and like the others, I’m a freshman at Irvington High School. I’m somewhat of a jazz nerd and have played music for seven years. I play the trumpet, cornet, French horn, piano, and ukulele, and I’m currently learning the clarinet. I enjoy reading fantasy, public speaking, and volleyball. One fun fact about me is that I like mint chocolate chip ice cream without the chocolate chips. My favorite songs are anything by Louis Armstrong.
Anwitha Pendayla
Treasurer
Hi! I’m Anwitha Pendayla and I’m currently in 9th grade. I play the flute, and I love singing and dancing! I’ve been playing the flute with true passion since sixth grade. Some of my other hobbies include drawing/painting and learning new dance choreos. I was in band all three years of middle school, and I’m continuing throughout high school. I love listening to Telugu music, and my favorite artist is DSP!
Siddhesh Arvind
Director of Music
Hello everyone. I’m Siddhesh Arvind, and I’m currently in 9th grade. I aspire to major in finance, or whatever field I’m good in, and I love to play the saxophone. I joined this organization to deepen bonds with my fellow peers. One fun fact about me is that I’ve played three different instruments (at least half a year each) over my life.