For fifty years, Linda Kiracibasi — lovingly known to generations of students as “Mrs. K.” — dedicated her life to helping children find their voices. As the retired Lower School Music Director at North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois, she shaped not only musicians, but confident, expressive young people.
Today, her enduring belief in the transformative power of music continues through her support of the Foundation for Small Voices — an organization whose mission resonates deeply with her life’s work.
A CD, A Song, and a Beginning
In August of 2001, a parent of one of Mrs. K.’s choristers handed her a CD of children’s music. On it was “Give Us Hope” by Jim Papoulis.
The song moved her.
Compelled by its message, she reached out. It was Stephanie Martine Papoulis who responded, sending materials about the Foundation’s songwriting workshops and sharing the vision she and her husband were nurturing together — a global network built on the idea that music can elevate children’s voices and change lives.
A few months later, an extraordinary opportunity emerged. A grandparent at North Shore wished to make a meaningful gift to the music program. When asked what was on her wish list, Mrs. K. didn’t hesitate: songwriting workshops.
That gift funded the first two workshops in 2002.
What began as a single inspired decision became a twenty-year tradition. From October 2002 through 2022 — the year of her retirement — the school hosted ten songwriting workshops. Two decades of children discovering that their ideas, their words, their stories mattered.
Music as an Avenue to Confidence
“I taught for fifty years because I loved it and found it so fulfilling,” Mrs. K. reflects.
Over those decades, she witnessed again and again how music becomes an avenue for children to express themselves — especially those who may struggle in other personal or academic areas.
She observed that students with learning differences often flourish in music. A child who might struggle to read text aloud could improvise a melody with confidence. A student hesitant to speak in class could craft lyrics that captured complex emotions. These are not side benefits of music education; they are central to its power.
That philosophy aligns seamlessly with Jim Papoulis’ workshops, where improvisation, collaboration, and creative risk-taking are foundational elements.
One memory stands out vividly. Years after participating in a workshop, a former student encountered Jim and introduced himself:
“I’m AJ. I wrote two songs with you.”
That simple declaration speaks volumes. The workshops were not just a classroom activity — they became part of a child’s identity.
Mrs. K. has heard similar reflections from alumni over the years. What they experienced as lower school students did not fade with time. It remained meaningful — a marker of confidence, creativity, and belonging.
A Shared Belief: Music Changes Lives
At the heart of Mrs. K.’s connection to the Foundation is a shared conviction:
The power of music can change children’s lives.
Founded by Jim Papoulis and championed tirelessly by Stephanie Martine Papoulis, the Foundation grew into an international movement rooted in community, compassion, and creative empowerment. After Stephanie’s tragic passing in 2007, her legacy of nurturing and expanding the Foundation’s reach continues to inspire its mission today.
An aspect of FSV that resonates deeply with Mrs. K. is the global dimension of the work. In a time marked by disconnect, division, and conflict, music offers something profoundly unifying.
The Foundation’s reach extends beyond local classrooms into underserved communities — including some of the poorest regions of America and Brazil — where songwriting workshops give children not only artistic tools, but affirmation that their voices matter.
It is not simply about composing songs. It is about building community in a fractured world. It is about using music to better lives — creatively, emotionally, and materially.
The Joy of Giving Back
Having spent her life advocating for children through music, Mrs. K. now finds deep fulfillment in supporting the Foundation financially.
“Since I’m in a position to help, I’m thrilled to be able to support the Foundation,” she shares.
Her past donations have directly impacted students across continents. To know that her support helps bring workshops to children who might otherwise never experience them fills her with gratitude and purpose.
“As a caring human being, this world is so frustrating right now,” she says honestly. “It gives me hope to be able to support causes near and dear to my heart.”
Hope.
It is the same word that first drew her to “Give Us Hope” more than two decades ago.
A Message to Future Supporters
For those considering involvement with the Foundation for Small Voices, Mrs. K.’s message is simple and heartfelt:
When you support this work, you are not funding a program — you are investing in children’s confidence, creativity, and connection. You are helping build community in a divided world. You are ensuring that young voices are heard.
And sometimes, years later, a grown student will still remember the songs they wrote — and the moment they realized their voice mattered.
That is the lasting impact of the Foundation for Small Voices. And that is why Mrs. K.’s song of support continues.
