Wall of Dreams

Maxim, who started taking vocal lessons after a recommendation from his physical therapist, enjoys singing and playing the piano. Maxim's favorite thing to do is travel with his family and he has had several opportunities to sing abroad including in the Dominican Republic and Canada. From Garden of Dreams partner organization Hospital for Special Surgery, Maxim performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in this year's Talent Show at Radio City Music Hall.

Tinuolawaye, from Garden of Dreams partner organization Cohen Children's Medical Center, grew up singing in her church choir and listening to inspirational music with her family. This past March at the Garden of Dreams Talent Show, Tinu sang "His Eye is on the Sparrow" because the song resonates very deeply with her. During recent health challenges, her family and her faith were constant sources of support and strength. When she attends college Tinu wants to study law. Tinu also participated in the Garden of Dreams Prom this spring, where she walked the purple carpet and saw surprise performances from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Young... Read More

The members of Divercity Dancers consider one another family. Whenever someone in the group is dealing with a hardship, they have each other and dance to help get them through. Even though their aspirations vary from dancers and singers to doctors and attorneys, the members know their love of dance will help them achieve their goals.

Participating in a community theater, Andrew started acting when he was five years old. Currently, Andrew, from Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, is involved in his high school’s theater program. 

During his Talent Show experience, Andrew received a special surprise when Hamilton and Broadway star, Christopher Jackson, called Andrew wishing him good luck before the show. Besides being an incredible performer in the Talent Show, Andrew recently attended the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall.  Performing “Proud of Your Boy” from Aladdin on the Great Stage, Andrew hopes to pursue a career in acting!

Dancing has always played an important part in Samantha's life and accounts for some of her most cherished memories. At five years old, Samantha, from Garden of Dreams partner organization NYPD Widows' and Children's Fund, started dancing by creating her own routines. Samantha and her sister, Alexis, have been part of the Garden of Dreams family since 2013. This past March, Samantha performed to "Million Reasons" by Lady Gaga in the Garden of Dreams Talent Show at Radio City. In the future, Samantha wants to pursue psychology so that she can help others cope with their feelings.

The New York Liberty welcomed over 50 Garden of Dreams children and their families to Garden of Dreams Night on Wednesday, June 13. The Westchester County Center was filled with talented performers, star players, and a lively fan base that packed the stands.

The night began with two primetime performances by GDF Talent Show stars, Giana and Brianna, each singing their favorite songs “Superwoman” by Alicia Keys and “Dynamite” by China Anne McClain. Andrew, who also took the stage at Radio City for this year’s Talent Show, sang the National Anthem with the help from some of our youngest Liberty fans who participated as Anthem buddies with... Read More

Garden of Dreams kid reporter and New York Knicks super fan Makayla, from Garden of Dreams partner organization Harlem Dowling, had the special opportunity to ask her own questions at the Knicks Draft 18 Press Conference. Along with the local reporters, Makayla was able to ask Knicks rookies Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson questions including "What player do you most look forward to playing against?" and "What excites you the most about playing in New York?"

For the Spring 2018 semesters, Garden of Dreams teens from our partner, WHEDco, participated in the MSG Classroom program. Each week, these students would meet with different professionals from MSG Networks and The Madison Square Garden Company to learn about different jobs within the company and gain insight into the many career options available within the television industry. Meeting weekly, the students attended a Rangers game, watching the game from a production perspective. They also had the opportunity to sit in on a Rangers production meeting, interview a Rangers player, and tour the MSG Networks production truck.  

Throughout the semester, the student worked on creating and producing their own... Read More

As a part of the Garden of Dreams Prom experience, 100 teens participated in a Pre-Prom Prep Party.  This  was a chance for the teens to mix and mingle before the actual prom, on May 8th.   The event provided different workshops to help them getting ready for their "Big Easy, Big Dreams" prom.  Teens were given Ralph Lauren ties, and lessons on how to tie and style them by Arda Ocal and Knicks alumni, Larry Johnson.  The teens also had the opportunity to participate in a confidence building workshop led by Garden of Dreams Prom Chairwoman Damaris Lewis. This workshop focused on inner beauty and self-confidence. The prom attendees... Read More

This spring semester, eight Garden of Dreams teens, including Malik, participated in Garden of Dreams and MSG Networks "MSG Classroom" program. Malik, a Garden of Dreams 2018 Inspire Scholarship recipient, shares about his experience learning the television industry from MSG Networks professionals:

Being part of MSG Classroom was truly a great experience. MSG Classroom was a program that not only opened my horizons but also helped me find myself. This program showed me that there are more possibilities than just being in front of the camera. It showed me the numerous jobs that are involved behind the scenes. It was MSG Classroom that—along with other programs— helped me break... Read More

MSG Networks