Meet Sterling Champion, our featured volunteer from NYC!
Get to know our volunteers!
Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? I volunteer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Pediatrics
How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? 4 Years!
Are you a Volunteer Guide or Volunteer Musician? Guide
What is your occupation outside of MOC? I work two jobs – one as an Office and Culture Manager at an ad agency and another as an Artist Manager of 3 bands and 2 solo artists. Check them out at groundworkmgmt.com.
Do You Have Any Hidden Talents? I’m a MacGuyver – no problem I can’t solve or maneuver (and I often do it in the shadows – that makes it hidden, right?).
What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? I’ve been connected with music from a very young age, largely thanks to my dad who introduced me to many young artists that went on to be huge successes. Lyrics were my first love and as I got older, live music became more and more important to me. Now I work in music and love it! I volunteer with MOC because I’ve seen first hand, on countless occasions, how comforting, healing and supportive music is. It’s a universal unifier that has proven its worth over and over again in the 4 years I’ve been a Guide.
What makes MOC different from your other volunteer experiences? Every program is a new experience – which is amazing – and no matter what, I always leave with a sense of accomplishment and a full heart. MOC consistently provides patients, family, friends and hospital staff with piece of joy.
Has your life changed because of your experience with MOC? Yes! Mostly, I am astounded by the resiliency of children within a hospital setting. I feel very grateful to have played a role in their healing process, especially through something I already hold near and dear to my heart – music.
What is your favorite #MOCmoment? My favorite #MOCmoment is one I had in the Pediatric ICU. A patient had just gotten back from brain surgery and was thought to be sedated. We came in the room to play some music for them and the child perked right up and started singing and dancing along – to the big surprise of both family and nurses. The excitement and happy tears were flowing that day as we watched a little boy bounce back (almost immediately) after such a trying experience, all thanks to the power of music. I will never forget that day.