Shawn Jenkins, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, presented Dmitri Kanovich with a Beyond Excellence award
As 2025 draws to a close, it has been an extraordinary year for Looking at the Stars and its mission to bring dignity to those who need it most, yet expect it least. Between December 3 and December 17, the organization presented six concerts across three correctional facilities in Massachusetts and three in Minnesota—all of which were embraced with overwhelming gratitude by both inmates and staff.
Founder and CEO Looking at the Stars, Dmitri Kanovich, with Massachusetts Senator William Brownsberger
In Massachusetts, performances featured Boston Conservatory students Daniel Dastoor, Grace Kim, and Hun Choi, as the organization returned to Old Colony Correctional and Northeastern Correctional, while also making a debut at MCI Shirley. The string trio offered brilliant interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach. Adding to the depth of these programs, Cantor David Rosen of Holy Blossom Synagogue in Toronto joined cellist Hun Choi for a profoundly moving rendition of Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei at Northeastern and MCI Shirley.
During the MCI Shirley concert, Shawn Jenkins, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, presented Dmitri Kanovich with a Beyond Excellence award, recognizing Looking at the Stars’ ongoing partnership and its commitment to bringing transformative musical experiences to correctional facilities.
Following the Massachusetts tour, the organization travelled to Minnesota for concerts at MCF–Stillwater, MCF–Moose Lake, and MCF–Shakopee. These performances featured Hanna Landrum, Megan Tam, and Sonia Mantel of the Minnesota Orchestra, who offered works by Mozart, Beethoven, and contemporary Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova.
Each concert proved deeply transformative. The tradition of concluding with inmates solemnly singing “Silent Night” created a moment of unity and reflection that felt especially meaningful as the Christmas season approached.
The year closed on a symbolic high note: the Shakopee performance marked the 10th anniversary of Looking at the Stars and its 99th prison concert since 2015.
Perhaps the mission is best captured in the words of former inmate Kevin F., who wrote:
“Personally, your appearances and performances were beyond words. The generosity of the Looking at the Stars Foundation is truly remarkable. Who does this? What group, organization, or program with dignity and talent level of Looking at the Stars has ever made itself available to this unforgotten and underrepresented segment of society? None in my 45 years of incarceration have I ever experienced anything as emotionally, spiritually and physiologically uplifting as your masterful performances.”
Our Supporters
