Confident Voices: NYC
Confident Voices is SAY’s signature and longest-running program. For more than 25 years, Confident Voices has provided a welcoming, artistically rich environment where young people who stutter can express their ideas, stories, and imagination freely. It has been recognized as one of the leading arts programs in the country, winning the nation’s top honor for creative youth development programs from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the New York State Speech and Language Hearing Association Award.
When a kid signs up for Confident Voices, they become part of a family. Offered free of charge to young people who stutter ages 8–18, Confident Voices is a multi-year experience that guides and nurtures participants for the entirety of their time with SAY.
In a typical year, we offer Songwriting in the Fall, Short Play/Storytelling in the Winter, and Mentor Project in the Spring. Each of these seasonal offerings is designed to guide our participants on a journey of creativity and self-expression, stacking skills as the months and years go by and all the while fostering the sense of home that really allows each person to shine their light. The One Act Play Project is the capstone to this journey, with each participant having the opportunity to write and direct their own show (professionally staged in an Off-Broadway theater and performed by professional actors) during their Senior year. Over the course of their time in Confident Voices, participants and their families report greatly improved confidence and communication skills, and a huge boost in social support and community.
Since the founding of the organization, we have used the performing arts as a catalyst for young people who stutter to embrace what they have to say and boldly and confidently share their voices with the world – in school, at home, and as they pursue higher education and embark on their careers.
Our very first season brought together an ensemble of seven teenagers from the NYC area. Professional artists guided them through the process of creating their own original show, which, six months later, was performed in an Off-Broadway theater to a packed house and a standing ovation. From that evening on, through Confident Voices, the arts have continued to be a central part of the SAY experience and over the years our participants have had the opportunity to collaborate with and be mentored by such greats as Brandon Victor Dixon, Tommy Kail, Richard Kind, Tom Kitt, Alex Lacamoire, Jesse L. Martin, Dame Helen Mirren, Kelli O’Hara, Rosie Perez, Paul Rudd, Carly Simon, Meredith Vieira, Bill Withers, and many more.
The Songwriting Project
The Songwriting Project is SAY’s free, 8-week program where kids and teens who stutter (ages 8–18) explore creativity and self-expression through songwriting in Midtown Manhattan.
Led by SAY’s Artistic Director Travis Robertson and professional actor Danielle Leneé, with musical guidance from Musical Director Everett Bradley and SAY’s Teaching Artists, the program uses music in many forms, pop, rap, spoken word, and more, as a vehicle for young people’s self-expression. No musical background or experience is required to participate, and the program is completely free of charge.
Through songwriting, participants build confidence in their voice, discover new ways to communicate, and learn that stuttering never has to stand in the way of being heard. Along the way, they connect with other kids and teens who stutter, forming a supportive community where they can create freely, take creative risks, and celebrate each other’s work.
Because this is a limited 8-week session, attendance is crucial to its success. We ask all participants to commit to attending every week of the program. Enrollment for the Fall session closes on October 10th, 2026, so reserve your spot now for a September start and get the full benefit of the program. The session will culminate in a live performance of all the original songs in mid-January, giving participants a chance to share their songs with friends and family.
Upcoming Dates and Times
The Songwriting Project will meet in Midtown Manhattan on Saturdays, from 11:00am to 1:00pm.
What Participants May Experience Each Year
Confident Voices is a project-based program that offers participants the chance to explore different artistic forms throughout the year while building confidence and collaboration skills.
Fall – Songwriting Project
Participants collaborate with professional musicians and teaching artists to write and perform original songs, exploring music as a powerful form of self-expression.
Winter – Storytelling & Short Play Project
Young artists develop original stories and theatrical pieces, working together to create performances that bring their ideas and experiences to life.
Spring – Mentor Project
This program brings kids, teens, and adults who stutter together in small groups to create short, original projects of their choosing. This is an opportunity for participants to see a reflection of themselves in the world through their mentors, and for our invited mentors to be inspired by the endless imagination of our youth!
Each project culminates in a final performance or sharing, giving participants the chance to celebrate their creativity and growth with family, friends, and the SAY community.
The Confident Voices Team
Travis Robertson
Artistic Director
Danielle Leneé
Programming Associate
Confident Voices FAQs
Questions about Confident Voices?
More SAY Programs
Camp SAY
Our 2-week, ACA-accredited sleep-away summer camp for young people who stutter, ages 8-18, combines an exceptional traditional camp experience with specialized programs and activities designed to build confidence, improve communication skills, and forge enduring friendships.
My Stutter Project
This unique online program provides a brave and welcoming space for young people who stutter, ages 8-18. Through creative workshops, community, and encouragement, participants build confidence, communication, and self-advocacy skills in a space where others truly understand what they’re going through.
SAY: Speech
SAY’s speech therapy program is led by a licensed speech-language pathologist and board-certified stuttering specialist. SAY: Speech embraces a holistic approach to stuttering therapy that addresses the individual needs and goals of each child and their family. We currently offer services to families in DC, MD, and NY for ages 3-18.