JoeyDCares Gives Kids a Chance to Have Fun While Giving Back

Joey Dundore approaches charity the same way a saxophone player approaches his instrument: what you get out of it depends on what you put into it. 

His new nonprofit, JoeyDCares, combines charity with music to direct local kids in turning a “jam session” into a way of reaching out and helping others in need. At each concert, the orchestra accepts donations for a different charity, chosen by a board with the kids' help.

“We play the Beatles, Chicago, Earth, Wind and Fire and a lot of Motown. We just rock it out and try to raise money for charity,” said Dundore. “Basically you just come and donate, and that money goes to a certain charity of the night.”

Dundore, who made it to Las Vegas for America’s Got Talent two years ago, teaches music at Piney Ridge Elementary.

He started his nonprofit with five high school students last fall and has now grown his orchestra to more than 40 kids in grades six through 12. He also has help from five parents and three professional musicians and holds rehearsals at the South Carroll Senior Center in Eldersburg. 

“It’s great. It’s like a dream of mine,” said Dundore. “There are so many reasons why it’s a dream of mine. One of them is we’re trying to help people. I’m the teacher; I just love helping kids. It’s everything that I’ve ever wanted to do.”

For his students, this is more than just band practice.

“I love being in the orchestra," said Ann Devine, a sophomore vocalist at Liberty High School. "I get to sing, which I love to do, and I also get to help by doing charity work, so it’s good in both ways.”

Grant Orndorff, a sophomore alto saxophone player from Liberty High School, said, “It’s fun because in school you get to play all of this classical music and it’s kind of boring, but in here you get to play songs that you actually know. So yeah, it’s really interesting and fun.”

“It’s great because we’re doing a good thing and get to donate money to good causes and the whole time we’re having a ton of fun,” he added.

See JoeyDCares perform at 6 p.m. at the Eldersburg National Night Out Tuesday. If you’re interested in joining the rock orchestra, contact Joey Dundore at JoeyDSax1@aol.com.