By Andrea Mera On any given weekday at 4:00p.m., the hallways of Yorkwoods Public School are filled with the sounds of violins, cellos, drums, and passionate voices.Playing to potential, Sistema Toronto's social development program brings these hallways to life by providing free instruments and music lessons to a group of students from grades one to five.In 1975, José Antonio Abreu, an economist and musician founded El Sistema in Venezuela to combat widespread poverty related issues that affect youth.“The huge spiritual world that music produces in itself overcomes material poverty,” said Abreu, in El Sistema's motto. “From the minute a child is taught how to play an instrument, he or she is no longer poor.” David Visentin, Executive and Artistic Director for El Sistema Toronto, explains that he always wanted his art to serve the community, and after being invited to Venezuela to observe first-hand what El Sistema was, became inspired by witnessing the joy children experience though belonging to a community of musicians."There is always need in every community, and young people need to feel part of the community," Visentin said.In 2011 Visentin, an orchestral musician who has played the violin at thousands of concerts throughout his career began working to bring El Sistema to Toronto with Robert Eisenberg, who continues to be a huge supporter of the program.El Sistema Toronto began operating in Parkdale for students between grades one through four, and quickly developed to reach students from grade one to grade eight. In a short period of time the organization has expanded to serve the Downsview community, and has created a mutually supportive network between the two groups operating in Toronto.Matias de Doviitis, an Executive Assistant to Councillor Anthony Perruzza worked with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the City of Toronto, and Sistema Toronto to help bring the program to the neighbourhood."I fell in love with the program right away, because it gives a lot more to the kids than just music, it builds community, and all the skills that we need to be successful in life; like hard work, and the ability to work with others," de Doviitis said.The intensity of the program helps the children build endurance as they spend about 400 hours practicing their instruments during the school year, after school they are provided a snack and begin working right away for two hours.The program also helps build confidence, because the children perform regularly in front of crowds.Visentin explained, the program is built on three philosophical legs that emphasize the importance of teamwork and community building.“We are a team, we always do our best, and we help each other." Visentin said. "We want to see happy children that are excited, creative, and engaged."Early in the school year students attended a demonstration which allowed them to select the instrument they preferred, and then created their own paper- mâché instruments.Andres Tucci Clarke, the Co-ordinator, Orchestra Conductor and Cello Teacher for Sistema at Yorkwoods Public School, said this served as a team building exercise, and taught the students how to care for their instruments. Upon completion of this exercise, the children receive an instrument, generously donated by Yamaha Music Canada.According to Tucci Clarke, the positive impact the program has had on the students is clearly visible."I've noticed a lot of change as far as respect goes, respect for instructors and for each other," he said.The students are also taught to look out for each other. Team work and mentorship are encouraged, and it is apparent that the children are all respectful of the fact that they each learn at different levels."Children love to teach, they are proud of the things they learn,” Visentin said “Their passion for wanting to share [what they know] is encouraged."He added that students can transfer the skills they learn with Sistema to school, and life, which will positively impact their communities.El Sistema is dedicated to expanding the program at Yorkwoods Public School and throughout the GTA, providing hundreds of children the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument.Sistema Toronto will be playing at the "Vital Toronto Awards Ceremony" on June 18, 2014, and at Yorkwoods Public School on June 23 at 5:00 pm.