Buffalo String Works Development Manager, Whitney Dann and Outreach & Engagement Manager, Aye Min Thant visited the Flamingo Lounge on February 10, 2026.

n March 2014, a performance at Buffalo's P.S. 45 revealed a profound truth: music transcends language. After hearing Brahms, a young student poignantly identified the music's theme as "love," prompting founders Elise Alaimo, Yuki Numata Resnick, and Virginia Barron to address a critical gap in local arts education.

What began in September 2014 as a modest program for 17 violinists has evolved into a cornerstone of the Buffalo arts community. Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, Buffalo String Works provides comprehensive string instruction to 160 students across three campuses, dedicated to fostering excellence and community through music.

In the Flamingo Lounge this week, from the Theatre of Youth Company Inc., affectionately known as the TOY, is Executive Director, Tracy Snyder

About the Theatre of Youth Company, Inc.
TOY, which is Currently celebrating their 54th season, stimulates the imagination, nurtures the creative spirit and enhances the education of young people by engaging them in relevant, child-centered, and professionally-produced live theatre programs. TOY believes meaningful childhood experiences in the theatre develop confidence in creative thinking skills, cultivate empathy and establish a life-long connection to the arts.

TOY is a place where all families, children, cast and crew feel included, represented and inspired. We strive to reflect the community that gave rise to our theatre, both on and off the stage, and to improve access to the magic of children's theatre and arts education for all. TOY is a safe haven where children can explore and be creative in comfort, with diversity in our productions and ensuring that our community has a voice in everything we do.

About the Executive Director – Tracy Snyder
Ms. Snyder joined TOY in August 2019. Tracy (she/her) is a Buffalo native and a graduate of both SUNY at Buffalo (B.A. in Theatre Performance) and Niagara University (M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in business and theatre). Snyder also completed an acting residency at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London, UK. Prior to joining TOY in 2019, she was the Education Director and Office Manager for Shakespeare in Delaware Park. She has worked with many Buffalo theatre companies as an actor, stage manager, playwright, director, wardrobe mistress and teaching artist. Her play, Apple of My Eye, was selected to be a part of the Road Less Traveled Production's Emanuel Fried New Play Workshop. She recently made her film directorial debut with "This Is Not A Pipedream" (Leaves Are Falling Fast Productions).

This episode was recorder February 5, 2026.

Jacob Nicholson is a Buffalo based musician, music therapist, and music educator. Jacob studied general music at Onondaga Community College, and music therapy at SUNY Fredonia with a focus on singing as his primary instrument. He has sung bass in multiple professional choirs in Central and Western New York, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus.

Now, he performs on keyboard with multiple groups such as Ellen Pieroni and the Encyclopedia of Soul, Brass Machine, Hunks of Funk, Zak Ward and the Million Dollar Question, The 1/2 Trays, and others. He also leads his own band, The JT Nichol Trio.

The JT Nichol Trio consists of original songs and unique arrangements written by Jacob. The groups sound is a blend of elements of jazz, R&B, and rock, with a focus on songwriting, grooves, and improvisation.

Jacob is also the artistic director for Momentum Choir. Momentum choir is a group that consists of adults living with disabilities that share a common passion for music and singing. Jacob directs the choir in rehearsals and performances, with a goal of highlighting their wonderful musical abilities.

Jacob visited the Flamingo Lounge on January 29, 2026 to share his stories and an unreleased JT Nichol Trio song, "Wait for the Time", that was mixed and mastered by Jacob that will be officially released on February 20, 2026. It features Jacob on keys, Josh English on drums, Michael Johnston on Bass and features Peter Heuer on guitar.