Port Chester Teens Create Music Video Promoting a Diverse City

PORT CHESTER, NY — Thirteen Port Chester teens wrote and recorded a music video while participating in an internship-like opportunity during the spring and summer.

The teens collaborated to write and record the song and then perform and film the video, intended to inspire Port Chester pride. The result is called “Diverse City,” with the key line “Diversity in our city. Let us show you the meaning of unity,” according to a district spokeswoman.

The 13- to 18-year-olds were members of the Port Chester High School Drama Club or students who attended the Carver Center After School Program. Writer/producer/director Taryn Grimes-Herbert and the Carver Center of Port Chester’s Kelley Gordon-Minott, Shawn McGhee and Joe Kwasniewski served as mentors.

Students were given the opportunity to take on the many roles involved in a video production, including planning, writing, composing, filming, choreographing, publicizing and marketing and working behind the scenes as crew members.

According to Ms. Grimes-Herbert, the program “gave the kids actual experience in various fields that will help them prepare for college or be successful in the workplace.”

Joseph Durney, assistant superintendent of the Port Chester schools, noted that the program was a grant funded activity that allowed for students to experience authentic project based learning.

“Our students were exposed to real world experiences that required cooperation, leadership, teamwork and that was educationally and vocationally meaningful. Our community can be proud of the process and the product created by this group of talented students and adults,” said Mr. Durney.

The link to the Port Chester Diverse City (Official Music Video) can be found here.

The following students participated in the music video project: Sam Brown, Alfred Dileo II, Dior Forest, Grace Herbert, Liam Herbert, Taylor Masi, Julia Morlino, Beatriz Rios, Julia Rios, Isabella Rios, Callie Shulta, Eli Taylor-Lemire, and Ava Quatorolo.

Cast and Credits

• Finance Producer: Alfred Dileo
• Production Coordinator: Kelley Gordon-Minott (Carver Center)
• Consulting Producer: Taryn Grimes (mentor, producer, parent)
• Directors: Liam Herbert and Eli Taylor-Lemire
• Lyrics: Alfred Dileo and Dior Forest
• Executive Producer: Nitara Ortiz
• Music Production: Eli Taylor-Lemire
• Audio mastering/producer: Shawn McGhee (Carver Center)
• Orchestration: Michael Mastroianni (college student who performs in local theaters)
• Video Editor: Eli Taylor-Lemire
• Choreography: Taylor Masi
• Performers:
• Sam Brown
• Alfred Dileo II
• Dior Forest
• Grace Herbert
• Taylor Masi
• Julia Morlino
• Beatriz Rios
• Julia Rios
• Isabella Rios
• Callie Shulta
• Ava Quatorolo

Photo credit: Screenshot from YouTube.

CORRECTION: This article has been modified from the previous version. Nitara Ortiz served as Executive Producer for the video. Her name was not included in the original information provided to Patch.