Enriching the City through Music, Prayer and Capacity Building
After decades of musical training and professional orchestral performances, Rebecca Shasberger (above right) and Lalia Mangione (above left), the duo of talented musicians behind Renovare Music, both felt the tension of the many things in our world that do not look like the fancy concert halls where they spent so much time. Rebecca began asking God how she might make a meaningful difference as a musician, and soon after, He led her to found Renovare in 2018. By 2020, Lalia joined the nonprofit as a violinist and community manager, and together, they offer restorative music and worship experiences to those often forgotten or unseen.
“I’m consistently struck by how much I gain in my experiences with people in marginalized communities such as correctional facilities,” says Rebecca, cellist, guitarist, vocalist and director of Renovare, who just began a year-long ministry residency with BHITC. “We want to be a bridge to help people hear and understand the stories of our brothers and sisters who are often overlooked, but who have important perspectives and testimonies we can learn from,” she says.
As part of their residency, Renovare, which comes from the Spanish word “to renew” or “to restore,” will serve as part of the organization’s Leadership and Community Development team, offering beautiful opportunities for music, prayer and equipping in our city.
The residency will largely include practical experience in the areas of educational enrichment, planning and leading monthly city-wide prayer and worship services and developing concerts that include real-life stories and discussion around overcoming incarceration, addiction, homelessness, and more. Additionally, through the residency, Rebecca and Lalia receive mentorship, personal and spiritual growth opportunities and capacity-building support for their nonprofit, Renovare.
“These young ladies lead with hearts committed to love, serve and follow the Father on the wild ride of mission,” says Vatreisha Nyemba, Director of Community and Leadership Development for BHITC. “I hope you get the chance to know these inspirational young leaders!” The residency at BHITC is a pilot concept, and over the next year, they will also design an expanded residency offering for the experiential development of emerging urban ministry leaders anticipating its first applicants in 2023.
“As we perform, teach, build relationships and share stories across Northeast Ohio, we see God bringing restoration to people’s lives,” says Lalia. “We look forward to working with BHITC this year to further build bridges between communities who need one another.”
Rebecca received her Bachelor’s in Cello Performance at Westmont College in California where she met Lalia, who received her Bachelor’s in Violin Performance. Rebecca went on to complete her Master’s in Cello Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Lalia holds a Master’s of Music in Violin Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
“We want to share, sustain and steward what God has given and taught us,” says Rebecca. As He always does, God took Rebecca and Lalia’s willingness to give of themselves and their gifts to be used by Him for the benefit of others, and He is already using it in meaningful ways. Join BHITC’s next two prayer services led by Renovare on Tuesday, June 7 and Tuesday, July 5 or their upcoming Boldly She Lives event on Saturday, June 18.