Celebrations with Lacey Chabert Season 2 Episode 2

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Transcript

00:00I'm here in Los Angeles where one man's passion for increasing diversity in music has sparked a

00:17powerful movement in underserved communities. Music is one of the few things our kids can

00:23use in personal development so they're taking a lot more than just music class. Through his

00:29dedication to providing lessons and instruments he has shaped countless

00:34successful musicians who are now performing on stages across the globe. As of

00:39now we're thinking jazz. I've always wanted to do a Gatsby party. So please

00:47join us as we celebrate Billy for inspiring the next generation to chase

00:54their musical dreams. My name is Lacey Chabert and I'm on a mission to find

00:59unsung heroes who dedicate their lives to serving their communities. Everyday

01:05champions whose impact reaches far beyond the work they do. It's their turn for

01:11the spotlight. What is going on? With the help of family, friends, and our superstar

01:16planners. I am so excited about this celebration. It's gonna be great. We have

01:20only three days to create epic surprise parties to honor our dedicated heroes.

01:26Now let's get ready to celebrate.

01:36I'm stopping by a church that Billy's nonprofit SAPA uses as a practice space. SAPA provides musical

01:53education to children and teens in disadvantaged communities. I'm meeting with Mary who nominated

01:58Billy and I cannot wait to learn more about our hero.

02:04Hi Mary.

02:11Thank you for joining us today. Thank you for having me.

02:13This is the beginning class with Miss Donna. A string, E string, E string, A string. Look at me. I'm not

02:21going one, two, three. I'm open string. Bam. This is an exercise that you should be doing at home. Excellent.

02:28I'm so happy to learn about SAPA. Thank you for nominating Billy.

02:32Oh yeah. He's amazing. Just the heart and everything behind the organization. It's not easy to have

02:38a music organization in this demographic. He's been here for years consistently.

02:43My name is Mary Paul and I'm nominating my dear friend, Billy Mitchell, who is the founder of SAPA Music

02:49Academy. So SAPA provides free music classes. The kids come in and they have instruction at least

02:56two to three times a week. I think Billy Mitchell's superpower is education and kindness.

03:07My name is Billy Mitchell. I'm 81 years old. I reside in Pasadena, California.

03:13I'm the founder and director of the SAPA program, Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy.

03:23The goal of SAPA is to provide quality music instruction in the most disadvantaged areas. That's

03:32why we are in Compton, South Los Angeles. We know that most families cannot afford a $50 an hour violin lesson.

03:40And we stress classical because being a jazz musician, I know that much of what any musician

03:49needs is formal instruction. After that, you can do anything you want to do.

03:54SAPA has been a very important part of our family because you don't realize how much you learn

04:01through learning music and how expensive music lessons are.

04:06I've had seven children come through SAPA. My eldest son, Jermaine, is now 24. He's a professional

04:12musician now. He was in SAPA when he was like seven. So we've been here a long, long, long time.

04:19When my son told Mr. Mitchell that he wanted to play the bass, Mr. Mitchell went downstairs and got a

04:25bass to give him. That was huge because we couldn't personally afford a bass. And to this day,

04:33he still has that bass and he still plays that bass. Wow.

04:37Music education is important in a lot of ways. If you are disciplined to learn music,

04:44you're going to be disciplined to learn almost anything. An education is not complete without

04:50some exposure to the arts. Those things that develop the creative side of the brain and the spiritual

04:59part of the individual. Three, three, open, open. One, two, three, one, open.

05:05So we are throwing him a surprise celebration. We're trying to come up with a theme. So any sort

05:10of direction or tips you can give me? Mr. Mitchell loves music. He loves jazz music more than anything.

05:15I think that he would really enjoy seeing some of his past students. Are there any other tips you could

05:20give me to help us with the theme? Favorite colors, favorite food, anything like that? Mr. Mitchell loves, like,

05:26different types of food. So we're really good, like the charcuterie birds and the different things like

05:30that. Okay. And also for his colors, he's usually pretty on the bland side, you know? But a lot of

05:37times I see hues of soft blues and beige. Sounds like classic. Yeah, very classic. Classic colors.

05:42Definitely classic, definitely music. Yes. We'll come up on the perfect theme, but I think music

05:47definitely has to be incorporated in his love of jazz. Yes. You hear it? You hear the difference?

05:53Can you play it by yourself? You got the rhythm. She's only six, so it's like, wow. You're only six

05:59years old. Incredible. I started when I was like eight. I don't play anymore, but I wish I hadn't

06:05stopped playing because just being here reminded me of being in classes when I was a kid, and it's just

06:08beautiful. I grew up with church music. My mother was a pianist and a teacher, but she could never get me

06:17really interested in music in a formal sort of way. Music came to me kind of easily, and I could mimic

06:26and play songs and music that I had heard. She really tried to get me to take lessons, and I rebelled. I

06:34just did not want to take lessons. When I finished college, I had a little group and we made a little

06:39record and it ended up on the radio. My popularity started growing, but my skill level and my technical

06:48development was not keeping up. And so some of the musicians in my group lovingly insisted

06:56that I start taking lessons. And this was when I had music on the billboard charts.

07:02I was sent to a music teacher here, and one of the things that he told me was, you have been playing

07:12incorrectly too long. One of the main reasons we started these music programs is so that our young

07:18people don't go through what I went through.

07:21music and art develops the spiritual side of a person. It develops the spiritual side of a person.

07:49It develops the emotional side. It gives a young person an idea, a concept of how art makes you feel

08:00good. The challenge is to stay open. We're the only program in South Los Angeles now. Last year,

08:07there were four. They have all closed. We're hanging in there. There are very few teachers who are willing

08:15to come to the inner city to work on these programs. So the ones that we have, the ones that are

08:20dedicated to this program, are critical to our existence. It just seems like such an incredible

08:26organization. I'm so happy we're able to honor. And that's why we are trying to do what we're doing.

08:31I grew up in the area as well, and I didn't have this. I wish I did. I really do. We couldn't afford it.

08:36I didn't have a lesson. Never took a lesson or anything. So I know what I went through,

08:40and I want to give back. And that's what this whole program is about.

08:44Billy has impacted the lives of so many kids with this program by giving them the gift of music.

08:50So now it's our turn to show him just how important he is to this community.

08:54Hi, Lacey. Hey. Hello. Good morning. Good morning. Oh, you have tea for us? Of course.

09:08Hi, Lacey. You're the best. She's so nice. Of course. I know. I love it. You guys, I'm so, so, so

09:14excited about our next hero. Oh, tell us. It's all about music. Do you guys play any musical instruments?

09:19What are your kids? I am not musically inclined, so no. No. But I bet you did.

09:24My mom taught piano lessons from our house. I remember after school having to be really quiet.

09:28Yeah. So all the piano students were coming. Love it.

09:31Well, I had the chance to meet with Mary, who's our nominator. And she has nominated Mr. Billy Mitchell.

09:38Billy is an incredible hero and has started something that is changing the lives of so many young people.

09:43He founded SAPA, which is this incredible organization that offers free musical lessons,

09:49musical instruments to minority and inner city students. Okay. So we need to celebrate Mr.

09:53Billy. Yes. Yes. Okay. So do we know anything about what Mr. Billy likes? He likes jazz. He's a piano

10:00player. Okay. Mary was sharing with me that anything like classic, maybe like a jazz throwback feeling.

10:06And then who will be coming to the party? I think we'll have some students of SAPA. Cool.

10:11Um, some who had been through the programs. If there are students coming,

10:16it would be kind of nice if they maybe could put on like a surprise performance for him or something.

10:21I love that idea. Like a concert. I love it.

10:23All right. So now venue. Somewhere they have a piano. Like a piano bar.

10:27Piano bar. Right. I love that idea. Okay.

10:30That could be great. In LA, there's tons of these old, um, like movie houses and theaters.

10:36We could do the Ebell Theater possibly. The Ebell Theater is beautiful. Oh, that's beautiful.

10:40I've been there. I've been to an event there. It already has the stage built in.

10:43It does. Also the majestic downtown, it's an art deco space that was a bank and they're using it for

10:49event spaces now. I've been to a wedding there. I mean, it was amazing. Do you think it's possible

10:53we could get that place? Let's see. Let's, let's call everyone. But as of now, we're thinking

10:59jazz. That's some like art deco vibes, like Gatsby-esque. I mean, that's cool. Yes. I like that.

11:06Okay. Wait, I've always wanted to do a Gatsby party. It kind of fits with jazz and sounds like

11:10he likes classic, classy things. Okay. I love this idea. We need pearls. We need feathers. Feathers.

11:17Yep. Oh, sequins. Sequins. We do need waitresses to walk around in costume too,

11:22I think. That'd be kind of amazing. That would be fun. That would be fun.

11:25We know who to call it. You do? Okay. Programs like SAPA need to be protected at all costs.

11:31So any chance we have to honor Billy and the work he does is very important.

11:37Billy kind of changed everything for my family. He's the reason why I'm here, to be perfectly honest.

11:42And now look at you. Amazing. That is perfection. Billy sat down with my mom and he told her, hey,

11:48one day, if they keep going, they'll be able to play Disney Hall. And last week I was at Disney Hall.

11:55Are we keeping it there? My vote is to put it on the stage.

11:58Yeah. The heavier side is actually where Lacey is. Oh, I'm on the heavy side. We'll switch sides.

12:03Okay. We'll take all the help. Here we go. One, two. Watch the legs.

12:06I'm so excited to visit this historic venue that was originally built as a bank in 1924.

12:21I think it could be perfect for our Gatsby Jazz Night theme. Wow.

12:25Mary's son, Jermaine, is going to stop by so we can talk about Billy and also test the acoustics.

12:30We just have to make sure everything sounds good for the surprise performance from Billy's students.

12:35Welcome to the majestic downtown. I'm Ashton. It's so nice to meet you.

12:40Please take a look around. Thank you. Let's check it out, guys.

12:45Wow. Look at the ceilings. Oh my goodness. Isn't that stunning? And the chandeliers.

12:51I'm seeing just like color palette-wise, just standing in here. I'm feeling gold.

12:56Definitely. Do you guys see like Gilded Age, Glam?

12:59Yes. Right? I feel like the black and gold makes it glitzy.

13:02Yes. Right? And we have the crystals already. Maybe we bring in some gold furniture.

13:06I love that. I mean, this place is definitely called the Majestic for a reason.

13:09It is. Lives up to its name. Yeah.

13:11Hi, Lacey. Hi, guys. Hi. How are you?

13:15I'm great. How are you? So nice to meet you.

13:17What a pleasure. Seriously. Jermaine.

13:18Thank you for being here.

13:19Marissa, nice to meet you.

13:20Lisa, nice to meet you.

13:21Pleasure to meet you.

13:22It's so nice to meet Mary's son, Jermaine, who came up through SAPA and is now a professional musician.

13:27I know you're so busy and have so much going on with your touring. Thank you so much for making time

13:32today. I got to meet your mom yesterday. She was telling me a little bit about how you came to know

13:37Billy and how you were a student of SAPA. Billy kind of changed everything for my family. He gave us all

13:43that opportunity to play music. He's the reason why I'm here, to be perfectly honest. He sounds like a

13:48remarkable human being, everything I've heard about him. I've been a judge in music competitions

13:54down through the years. As a musician, I'd be invited to judge. And I noticed that my African-American

14:00kids and some of the Latino kids did not represent themselves with the confidence that's very important

14:09when you're competing for scholarships and whatnot. The talent is there. We wanted to develop a little

14:16workshop to help our kids present themselves a little better. Billy created that mindset in us

14:25that we could create a career out of it. And so I'm really appreciative to him for that. Do you remember

14:31like certain appearances or special places you got to play? Actually, the first gig that comes to mind

14:36when I think about one of the ones that Billy created for us, we were playing at this mansion

14:42in Beverly Hills. And it just felt so different to be in front of people who are actively listening

14:49to you, not as a kid, not as a son or a daughter, but like as a professional musician. And now look at

14:56you. Amazing. Would you mind helping us out with testing the acoustics? Yeah, absolutely. Let's give this

15:01room a go. Okay. All right. Billy Mitchell changed the course of my life. Through this music, I've been able to

15:07see different places like Paris or Madrid or Australia. I'm very appreciative of the work

15:13that I do as a jazz musician.

15:23That was so good. That was so nice. So do you think we even need speakers? It sounded so...

15:26I don't even think so. It's full. There's a lot of reverberation going on in the flooring.

15:31It makes me happy. So I think the acoustics in here are amazing. No speakers needed. Thank you so

15:40much. Thank you for having me. This hall is incredible. So I know it'll be a great party.

15:44I really loved meeting Jermaine and I'm so happy that we also found a venue that works for our theme

15:48and is going to be perfect for musical performances. But we need to get back to headquarters and finalize

15:52some decor details. I absolutely love that venue. It was beautiful. It's so big. It's so beautiful.

16:06Loved it. Okay. But it really was big. So we're going to need to make that room shorter. And Lacey,

16:12how would one do that? Let me think. Come on. The test. Pipe and drape. Yay. Good job. Well,

16:21for the pipe and drape, I do think that we should do like a red maroon color. Ooh. Right? Yes, please.

16:27That's very like regal. Don't you think? Very glamorous. Yes. And we need to order a riser

16:32to create a stage. Yes, we do. We'll do our stage with the piano on it. We'll do a black wrap on the

16:38stage, I think. We should talk about the furniture we're bringing in because that's all going to come from

16:41the same company. We can use their existing bar for the drinks or we can have our bartender have

16:47the drinks on her skirt. She could just walk around with all the drinks in her dress. Like a skirt made

16:52out of like a wire structure. Yes. With like little holders. So then the skirt can have the champagne

16:58glasses and then we can put apple cider inside of them. Yes. So the kids can partake. Oh, I love that.

17:04Now let's talk food. Jazz makes me think of food from New Orleans. Do you have a caterer that could do like

17:08shrimp and grits and New Orleans? We have that vendor we use all the time for chicken and waffles,

17:13Marissa. Mm-hmm. Ooh, chicken and waffles. That'd be great. Right? Maybe they can do some other food

17:17too. I bet they could. What if they're like bite-sized? Like easy? I think it all should be bite-sized based

17:22on like the time of the party too. This party will be mid-afternoon. We want to do a whole variety of

17:28southern appetizers. Billy went to college in Atlanta and he loves southern food. Let's do mini shrimp and grits,

17:34deviled eggs, mac and cheese bites and some other appetizers. We'll talk to our vendors about some

17:39small bites and we're doing the dessert already, right? We were thinking ice cream would be a good

17:44idea. I love that. We do it all the time. Great. I love that idea. Let's do it. Okay. Thank you.

17:50I'm stopping by the sweet tooth truck to meet Kareem and sample his specialty that appeals to all ages,

18:04rolled ice cream. Lisa checked his schedule and lucky for us, he is available for the party tomorrow.

18:11Kevin, whose children are a part of SAPA, is meeting me to talk more about celebrating Billy

18:15and also the effect that SAPA has had on his family. Hi. How are you? I am well, thank you.

18:20Hi. So nice to meet you. How are you doing? I am doing wonderful, thank you. Good. This is Kareem.

18:25Hey, how are you, man? Yes. How are you? I'm excited. I gotta be honest. I didn't realize you were

18:31making the ice cream right there on the cold slab. Right here on this ice cream machine, it gets

18:36negative 20 degrees. I put all your favorite flavors on here and roll it up. We are right across the street

18:42from where my kids took their first cello lesson. Many, many hours I spent over here, but the ice

18:48cream wasn't a part of this. People really love the experience to see their ice cream being made

18:54right in front of them. This is my grown ice cream. What is she going to have? This is for me. This is my

19:00peach cobbler rolled ice cream. That is perfection. Yeah. I think our guests will love it. Yes. So I'm

19:07excited about the celebration. As am I. Billy Mitchell is first and foremost a musical genius.

19:15He would go right up there next to Herbie Hancock, Duke Ellington, but he is also the most selfless

19:21human being I ever met in my life. He took it upon himself to bring music to kids who otherwise would

19:27not have it. So inspiring. It is very, very much. There's such a discrepancy in the communities here

19:35in Los Angeles. I started going to schools and discovered that music programs had been

19:43taken out. Now that didn't affect a lot of the schools in the more affluent areas because parents

19:51came in and underwrote some of the programs. That did not exist in South Los Angeles. I know the

19:57importance of music on the development of a young person. I'm talking about how music develops the

20:04spirit, the soul, the discipline. Look at that. More samples for y'all. Why not? Banana pudding right there.

20:12Oh, come on. Okay. I mean, twist our arm, right? Oh yeah. That is really... That is incredible.

20:20Billy has devoted his time and talents to bringing music education to kids for years.

20:26He deserves an incredible celebration.

20:32Oh no. Problem. Oh my gosh, the bar is here, but it's supposed to be over here.

20:40I feel there's something in the air. It's leading me to anywhere. I know the best is

20:49yet to come. I know we're gonna have some fun. Hey, Jeffrey. Jeffrey started with the program when

20:55he was just six years old and now he's an assistant teacher with SAPA. SAPA means really the world to me.

21:02I couldn't even imagine how my life would be if I hadn't met Billy, if I hadn't started the violin.

21:09Being first generation here, my parents were searching for something just so that we could

21:14become something more. Billy is a hero because he has brought this opportunity to an area, South Central,

21:22where it doesn't exist. I did see a lot of violence, a lot of gang activity growing up.

21:28I worked in juvenile hall about four years as a teacher and I think about one kid.

21:37He would fight teachers, everybody. Everybody joked that he was my son

21:43because I was the only one that he would relate to. And years later, I was over at Fox Hills Mall

21:51playing a Christmas thing. This kid came over. He said, Mr. Mitchell, you remember me? I said,

21:58oh yeah. He said, I'm a beautician. He said, I'm doing good.

22:06He said, the things you gave me changed my life. And we just hugged.

22:15Billy sat down with my mom and he told her, hey, one day if they keep going, they'll be able to play

22:20Disney Hall. And last week I was at Disney Hall. Were you really? Yes. What did that mean to you

22:25to have that opportunity? The world. The world. It's been very difficult seeing, you know, parents

22:31struggle, you know, trying to make ends meet. And then one day you start getting paid to play the

22:37violin. You get to play with Imagine Dragons. It's, it's a dream come true. Where else have you played?

22:46I've done work with John Legend. Wow. Yes. Sapa has really opened all these wonderful doors,

22:52wonderful opportunities that I couldn't have attained really on my own. Hi. Nice to meet you.

22:58I'm Lacey. I'm Carlos. I was just hearing all from your brother about his experience with Sapa.

23:03Sapa has very easily changed the trajectory of my entire life. Incredibly thankful. I was wondering

23:10if you would want to perform at the celebration if you're able to come. Sure. We have the music lined up.

23:14Oh yeah. So I brought my violin here today. This is what I played when I was like 12 or 13 years

23:19old. And so I just wondered if it could be brought back to tip top shape. Yeah. Some work in the

23:26workshop. I think we can get this up and running. And I know there were some things in here that I

23:29wanted to check out before leaving this with you. Oh, do you guys want to see this? Let's do it.

23:33Okay. So when we do TV shows and movies, they have call sheets. Oh wow. Which just like tells everyone

23:38what time to get there and what the plan is for the day. Yes. So I found this call sheet from Party of Five,

23:42which was the show that was on in the 90s. I think this is one of the very few souvenirs I have from

23:49the show. Wow. They allowed us to take a few props from the show for, you know, a memory and like to

23:54have as a keepsake. And the thing I took was my stool that I sat in to play the violin. I still have it

24:01in my house now. And it's something I really treasure. And I was trying to think maybe you could help me

24:05with an idea that I could give to Billy as a meaningful gift. If I found a vintage piano bench,

24:12could you bring it back to life? Really? Oh yeah. Okay, great. I love the idea of a piano bench for

24:21Billy. I just want to give him something special after he has given so much and changed so many

24:26lives for the better. I'm gonna give just a little, take just a little. Till we're getting closer almost

24:36cheek to cheek. I'm gonna give you a little, take just a little. Till we're standing side by side and

24:42cheek to cheek. Don't wanna give too a little, take too a little. Or you'll never end up in my arms with me.

24:50Oh my gosh, the bar's here. This is, I actually really like it here. But it's supposed to be over

24:54here. No, I know. But think about it. So this is not going to be used for drinks, this gold bar.

24:59It's going to be used for our food buffet. It does look good here. It really does. It does. Okay,

25:03good. Moving on. All right. Billy likes jazz and a classic vibe. And we have all of those elements

25:08in this party and more. The gold against the wine color drape is really beautiful. Yeah, it's really

25:13special. Definitely on theme too. Yeah. These are great. Oh no. Uh oh. Oh no. Problem. Can we attach it again?

25:20Yeah, okay. Here we go. Oh. Good morning. Were you standing yourself? Hello. Was it hot out?

25:28It really was. I am so excited about this celebration. I can't wait to meet Billy. Well,

25:33we have a whole stage set for him. Are we keeping it there or? Well, that's been our big debate.

25:38Oh, yeah. My vote is to put it on the stage in the center. I think that it is very, very delicate to

25:44move it, right? Like, would we be even be able to get that up on the stage? I would love for the piano to be on

25:48the stage, but this is a grand piano. It's a very delicate instrument and very expensive. The idea

25:54of moving it makes me very nervous. What if we drop it? Is there any special way we need to be

25:59picking it up? Just go for it. Yeah, the heavier side is actually where Lacey is. Oh, I'm on the heavy

26:04side. We'll switch sides. We'll switch sides. I was like, the heavier side is on this side. Okay,

26:08then we'll go this way. Why don't we? No, Tim, get in there too. Okay, we'll take all the help.

26:12Yeah, okay. One, two, three. Hold on, hold on. Watch the legs.

26:25I'm not going to lie, that made me very nervous. Are we on? Yeah, go team. I am so relieved we didn't

26:30drop the piano. So now we just got to hustle, get the rest of the space completely ready before our hero

26:35arrives. Hi, hi, hi. Hey, Mary. Oh my gosh, we're so happy. Happy Celebration Day. This is gorgeous.

26:45Isn't it pretty? It's gorgeous. Do you want to help us out with some last minute things? Yes, I do.

26:50I would love to help you. As we finish setting up, is that okay? Yeah, that's perfect.

26:53Everything survived. It's fine. I promise. Okay, everyone, we have 45 minutes. 45 minutes,

27:11gang. 45 minutes.

27:12So pretty. Right? I'm so excited about our lamps. Some of these lamps are a lot harder to turn on.

27:22You have to get aggressive with them. Yeah. Okay. These lamps are definitely easier to turn on. Yeah.

27:29Now, you just have to talk to it nicely. Okay. Please put the light on. Oh, it worked. Hold on,

27:32let me try it. Let me just... Oh, this one's nicer. Lacey, we have really good news for you. What's that?

27:42You can make your very own fan. Such a fun DIY. Right? Perfect. Look what's here. Thank you so

27:49much. Oh, I can't wait to see. I'm so glad this vintage piano bench was refurbished in time,

27:56and I just hope when Billy looks at it, he's reminded of today's celebration and all the good

28:00he's done for so many families. Um, hello. Oh, it does open. Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah. You know what would

28:08be fun? If we could put little notes in there. Do you think our guests could write little notes?

28:11That'd be like a hidden surprise. That's cute. Can we do that on the side at the party? Yeah. So

28:15he doesn't know what's happening? Genius. Love. Okay. This is really special. Thank you so much.

28:23You want one here? Yes. I feel like he's going to come in this entrance, so maybe there. Okay.

28:29And then we put the arrow there on the piping drape, so he knows exactly where to enter.

28:32Let's finish the finishing touches, and then I have to go change. Okay, let's go. Okay.

28:35Happiness starts with a smile. It's contagious. Catch it now. Just put one on and your troubles

28:47will be gone. Because happiness starts with a smile. Oh, this looks great.

28:53How beautiful. Are you happy with the way it turned out? Yes.

29:00Just a little grin is how you begin to count all those blessings you have.

29:07Hi. Hello. Come on in. Come on in. Hi, I'm Lacey. I'm Adi. So nice to meet you. Hi. Hi, I'm

29:17Joshua. I'm Lacey. Nice to meet you. Hi, I'm Omarion. So nice to meet you. It's so nice to meet you.

29:24Are these your children? Yes, these are. Four of the seven. Say cheese. It is so nice to meet you.

29:29And if you want to write a note for Mr. Mitchell. Oh yeah, that's the first thing you guys. We're

29:32going to surprise him. Make sure you guys all sit there and write a note. Mr. Morris. Nice to meet you

29:38again. Hi. Yes, we're so honored that you're here to be with us. Anything from one of my best friends

29:44in the world. I'm so happy to be here, Billy. He's a great man, a great musician, a great spirit.

29:51He's a gift to the world and I love him. Hi. Hey, how are you? Hi. Hi, Lisa. Thank you all for being here.

30:03Hi. Come on in. I know. Isn't it beautiful?

30:08My name is Lacey. Lacey Yuko. Yuko, it's nice to meet you.

30:14Everyone, let's gather around. He's almost here.

30:23He's coming.

30:23We honor you because you deserve it. This is Deep River for Billy.

30:33I have a special gift for you.

30:36Oh, wow.

30:36It's...

30:41Okay, he's coming.

30:46Lacey Cypher!

30:48All right, we know you can't talk right now.

31:14You want to cry, cry, okay?

31:17We love you, man.

31:26I don't even know.

31:27I don't even know what to say.

31:29Thank you so much.

31:32My name is Lacey.

31:33This isn't an interview.

31:35This is a television show called Celebrations,

31:36where we celebrate heroes.

31:38You were nominated by Mary,

31:42and she shared how you not only affected her life,

31:47and her children.

31:48The stories are just endless about the goodness

31:51that you have put out into the world through SAPA.

31:54I couldn't think of anyone more deserving.

31:56What you've put into this,

31:58what you've just done for my family,

32:00let alone all of these families,

32:02we cannot say thank you enough.

32:04I love you so much.

32:09All I can say is Mr. Mitchell put that violin in my hands,

32:13and he really just changed the whole course of my entire life.

32:25I couldn't even imagine another way to be spending it.

32:29Thank you, Mr. Mitchell, and I love you so much.

32:33And I love you so much.

32:34I love you too, Mary.

32:44It's been an absolute joy to get to learn about you

32:48and everything that you do.

32:49So today, we're here to celebrate you,

32:51and this is your party.

32:52Oh, goodness gracious.

32:54I could never imagine anything like this,

32:56but I can't tell you just made my life again.

33:04I was kind of low for a while, but now you've fired me up.

33:11It just means the world.

33:13It means the world.

33:15And I'm not going to be able to thank any of you enough.

33:18I know that, but I'll just say thank you.

33:26If you reach out and you really honor someone,

33:31it can restore them back to their purpose.

33:34We want you to enjoy the party.

33:36There's food.

33:37There's delicious ice cream.

33:39There's a piano.

33:43I don't remember ever being quite surprised

33:48as this experience.

33:50You're one of the kind, you're one of the kind.

33:55This is my man.

33:56This is my man.

33:57This is my man.

33:58Thank you, man.

34:00I'll be a different person when I wake up in the morning.

34:03Ooh, bye!

34:05Love you!

34:06Love you, baby.

34:09Hello, hello.

34:10Whoa!

34:11Ha-ha-ha-ha!

34:13Wow!

34:14This is wonderful.

34:16I'll see you here.

34:19Oh, yeah.

34:20The peach cobbler and the banana pudding, delicious.

34:22Wow!

34:25Right here for you.

34:26Are you having a good time?

34:28I'm going to be thinking about this for a long time.

34:30I'm so glad.

34:31I couldn't think of anyone more fitting

34:33and more deserving than Billy Mitchell.

34:35The level of the care that went into everything,

34:38the food, the drinks, the lady wearing the wine glasses.

34:42Like, where do you see that?

34:44It turned out just beyond my wildest expectation.

34:49You know, I always wanted to play on a stage.

34:53I didn't think you would send me to play on a stage

34:55in Switzerland.

34:58You are doing everything that we dreamed of.

35:05The feeling in the room is just pure love and respect

35:09and appreciation for the impact that Billy has made

35:12on so many lives.

35:14So everyone, if you want to gather around,

35:17we have a little gift for you.

35:19So I was on a television show from when I was 11 to 17.

35:22My character on the show played the violin.

35:24And whenever I played, I sat in a stool.

35:27At the end of the run of the show,

35:28we were able to take some of the props

35:29and I took my violin stool,

35:31because it was just so meaningful to me.

35:32So in the sentiment of that, I have a special gift for you.

35:42So we found this vintage piano bench,

35:45and we have this plaque here, which I could read for you.

35:47It says, to the legendary Billy Mitchell,

35:50thank you for your dedication to inspiring the youth

35:55through music, and we celebrate you.

35:58Oh, wow.

36:01That's beautiful.

36:02That's very good.

36:04And if you want, I think now would be a good moment

36:07to maybe have some music.

36:09This is Deep River for Billy.

36:10I've been a student of Saffa since I was five years old.

36:21He really is a hero.

36:22He's awesome.

36:28I personally love being from Compton,

36:31from Watts, South Central.

36:33I love my friends, my family.

36:35But growing up, I saw a lot of gun violence.

36:37I've seen it firsthand, people getting shot, fights.

36:42It's not an easy thing where you see stuff like that,

36:46and then you go into a classroom.

36:47So for Billy to give me a violin,

36:52to give another kid a violin so that he can perform

36:56and earn money or earn a scholarship to go to college

36:59or just change their life, you know, that's what this is.

37:04It's a chance to do better with yourself.

37:07You're beautiful children.

37:08Beautiful children.

37:09That's so beautiful.

37:10That's so beautiful.

37:17Yeah.

37:20I do appreciate that Billy opens that door to music

37:23and he holds it open for the rest of us.

37:25Thank you, Billy.

37:27To see the youngsters that started out at our program

37:34as young kids and to see what they've grown into.

37:38Brittany, the young lady on the cello,

37:40she used to come with her brother

37:41and roll around the floor as a little kid.

37:44She just returned from Switzerland in a summer program.

37:51So to see that kind of growth from here to there,

37:53it's just really fulfilling.

37:56I have been so touched by what you've done.

38:00It's not only music lessons and instruments,

38:03but you're shepherding youth in a way that is so powerful

38:07and so important.

38:09I feel really honored that I've gotten to stand here today

38:12and celebrate you.

38:13And I hope you felt that love from everyone around us.

38:16And because we believe in the incredible work

38:18that you do so much, we have one little present for you.

38:20So on behalf of Hallmark Channel,

38:34on behalf of Hallmark, this is our gift to you.

38:37And we hope that it can help further the work that you do.

38:40So please accept this donation of $10,000.

38:42Oh, yeah.

38:43I can't tell you how much this means.

38:52It's very, very important.

38:54And it's really deeply appreciated.

38:57We need so much because we're always trying to expand.

39:00And so that $10,000 will be put to good use.

39:04This has been a wonderful experience.

39:07I'm so glad.

39:09If I've had another experience this uplifting,

39:12I can't remember it.

39:14Yeah.

39:14It's inspired some things.

39:18And y'all, we've got a lot more work to do.

39:21Sure.

39:22So I'm going to be depending on you.

39:25All right.

39:27Thank you, baby!

39:30Can I give you a hug?

39:33Thank you very much.

39:34It's so nice to meet you.

39:42Hello.

39:43It is so good to see you again.

39:45Good to see you also.

39:47Yeah.

39:47It was such a special day at your celebration.

39:53We were all overwhelmed with emotion.

39:54It was very emotional for me.

39:55What about the donation?

39:56Has that been useful for you?

39:57Yeah.

39:58Do you have a lot of fun to see you again?

39:59Good to see you again.

40:00Thank you, baby.

40:02Thank you, baby.

40:03Thank you, baby.

40:09Thank you very much for that.

40:10Thank you, baby.

40:11that have been useful to your students?

40:13Well, when they know that they have support,

40:15that's just a boost.

40:16And I think that that event put a spark

40:19in the parents that were there.

40:21At the parent meeting the other day,

40:23there was a bit more enthusiasm.

40:25It was very encouraging.

40:27I'm so glad.

40:28What about the piano bench?

40:29Have you found a home for it yet?

40:33No, not yet.

40:34It's sitting downstairs.

40:36Did you open it up and did you find the letters

40:39of encouragement from all of the guests?

40:42No, I did not.

40:44You haven't?

40:45No, I did not.

40:46Oh my gosh, Mr. Mitchell.

40:48Look inside the piano bench.

40:49There's a nice surprise in there for you.

40:50I'm so glad, okay.

40:51That's another surprise.

40:53Another surprise.

40:54It's been an honor to meet you, Mr. Mitchell.

40:56Thank you for everything.

40:58Look at this, this is really pretty.

41:00Billy, thank you for all the opportunities

41:02you've opened for me and for being

41:04the coolest jazz cat around.

41:07Carlos, thank you, my brother.

41:08Thank you so much for all you contributed

41:11towards my love of music.

41:12Love, Alma, Alma Paul.

41:15My very first violin came from you 13 years ago.

41:19And 13 years later, I'm still playing.

41:22Thank you so much, Joshua Paul.

41:27Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

41:38Thank you so much for joining us today.

41:51Thank you so much for joining us today.

41:52Thank you so much for joining us today.

41:53Thank you so much for joining us today.

41:54Thank you so much for joining us today.

41:55Thank you so much for joining us today.

41:56Thank you so much for joining us today.

41:57Thank you so much for joining us today.

41:58Thank you so much for joining us today.

41:59Thank you so much for joining us today.

42:00Thank you so much for joining us today.

42:01Thank you so much for joining us today.

42:02Thank you so much for joining us today.

42:03Thank you so much for joining us today.

42:04Thank you so much for joining us today.

42:05Thank you so much for joining us today.

42:06Thank you so much for joining us today.

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