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Singing from the Soul
James Buentello ’24 and his eight siblings followed one rule in the car growing up—either read a book or sing.
Usually, they chose the latter, harmonizing as they traveled and continuing to sing long after they’d arrived home.
A neuroscience graduate with a music minor, Buentello credits his family’s enthusiasm for music with stoking his lifelong passion for it. That’s why when it came time to complete his capstone project for the Ryan Leadership Institute, it was only natural for him to co-found Singing in Service with Jaimason Lacasse ’24, a sport and exercise physiology graduate.
Established in 2005, the Ryan Leadership Institute is a two-year program for DeSales juniors and seniors made possible by the continued generosity of the Ryan siblings in honor of their parents, Frank and Jane Ryan. The primary goal of the program is to teach students valuable leadership skills through a Salesian lens, ultimately preparing them to go out and do good in the world.
That’s exactly what Singing in Service achieves, by rounding up a group of dedicated college students who wish to brighten the days of residents in senior living facilities through song.
“I got the idea of singing at nursing homes because of a family tradition we had before I moved away for college. Each Thanksgiving, we’d go to a nursing home in Philadelphia and sing for their Mass and then eat with the residents afterwards.”
Buentello recalls Singing in Service’s first visit to a nursing home during winter 2023. A resident in the front row was so moved by the group’s performance, she couldn’t help but cry.
“It can be difficult for residents at a nursing home to get out and enjoy themselves,” said Buentello. “We bring that joy to them with our singing.”
Throughout his undergraduate career, Buentello gave back to the community in other significant ways, serving as director of special events for the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Eastern Fall Sectional in 2023 and singing at Mass through the Liturgical Music program.
He hopes to one day bring happiness to others as a neurologist, where he’d be able to aid individuals like his sister, who was born with cerebral palsy.
“The Catholic faith is heavy on serving others using your talents, gifts, and time. I have an interest in medicine and the capacity to do the schoolwork for it. If I can put those together and serve others as a doctor, that would be the best goal I could have for a career.”