A music class with a teacher instructing four students on steel drums, with a clock showing 3 o'clock and a blackboard in the background

4-Time Panorama Champions and 3-Time Junior Panorama Champions

Who We Are

CASYM stands as a vibrant cultural institution in the heart of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Since 1983, we have celebrated Caribbean heritage and empowered youth through the art of steel pan music and a wide range of academic, recreational, and cultural programs. With over 90 dedicated members between the ages of 7 and 21, the CASYM Steel Orchestra has become a symbol of discipline, creativity, and achievement. From local roots to international stages, CASYM continues to uplift communities while shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

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CASYM at a Glance

More than an orchestra, CASYM is a movement. We are committed to shaping future leaders by providing cultural enrichment, mentorship, college preparation, and academic support. As a beacon of cultural pride and artistic achievement, CASYM continues to inspire generations and strengthen communities both locally and nationally.

  • YEARS OF SERVICE

    40+ years of youth and community enrichment

  • FOUNDED

    1983 by William T. Jones

  • LOCATION

    Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY

  • MEMBERSHIP

    90+ youth members (ages 7–21)

  • ACHIEVEMENTS

    4 Panorama Championships, 3 Junior Panorama Championships

  • GLOBAL REACH

    United States, Canada, and the Caribbean

  • VENUES PERFORMED

    The Apollo Theater, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, Brooklyn Academy of Music, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and many more

  • UNIVERSITIES FEATURED

    Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Penn State, Rutgers, and many more

  • MISSION

    To nurture self-esteem, provide cultural enrichment, and prepare youth for academic and personal success.

Our Founder, William T. Jones

William Timothy Jones, better known to generations as "Jonesy," was a man whose life was a testament to the power of vision and community. His journey from Trinidad to New York was driven by a simple, powerful goal: to build a better life for his family and, in turn, for the community around him. A natural leader and advocate, he championed workers' rights as a Trade Unionist in Trinidad and continued his pursuit of education and better opportunities upon moving to the United States, where he built a career as an accountant and auditor for esteemed institutions like Manufacturers Hanover Trust.

While he built a successful career as an accountant, Jonesy’s most profound impact was rooted in his unwavering belief in the next generation. In 1983, he channeled his boundless energy and profound love for his Caribbean heritage into founding the Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Youth Movement (CASYM). He envisioned more than just a Saturday soccer league; he dreamed of a sanctuary. A place where young people could find their voice, their rhythm, and their future. He opened his own home to create this haven, and "Jonesy," the beloved father figure, was born.

Under his passionate leadership, CASYM blossomed, with its steel orchestra becoming a world-class ensemble and a beacon of cultural pride. Jonesy’s philosophy was simple yet profound: invest in a child, and you invest in the future.

He encouraged CASYM’s members to pursue higher education, rewarding their milestones and instilling in them a confidence that produced musicians, doctors, designers, artists, teachers, and leaders. His legacy isn't just in the awards or the championship titles, but in the vibrant, successful lives he helped shape and the enduring heartbeat of CASYM, which continues to inspire.

Leadership Team

  • Woman wearing graduation cap and gown, smiling, outdoors in a park.

    LATOYA REDMAN, President

    LaToya serves as CASYM’s dynamic President, bringing both expertise and heart to the role. Holding Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Science Education, she combines strategic vision with a deep commitment to learning. With six years of classroom experience, she has a natural gift for nurturing young talent. A proud former youth member of CASYM, LaToya leads with professionalism, creativity, and youthful energy. Her leadership not only guides the orchestra to new heights but also cultivates a warm, supportive community where young people can thrive. Under her direction, CASYM continues to shine as a beacon of cultural pride and achievement.

  • A woman sitting on a teal bench with a painted brick wall in the background. She has curly hair, wears a black hat, a light denim jacket, and colorful bracelets. She is smiling and resting her chin on her hand.

    TAMARA J. ARCHER, Vice President, Creative

    Meet Tamara, the visionary guiding the artistic direction of CASYM, Inc. As Vice President of Creative Direction, she shapes the organization’s creative landscape with both passion and purpose. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and a Master’s in Design Management, Tamara combines formal training with innovative thinking. Her background includes entrepreneurial ventures in architectural design, where she honed her ability to balance creativity with business insight. At CASYM, she applies this unique blend of her skills to foster artistic excellence, develop enriching educational resources, and create opportunities for young people to explore their creative potential.

  • A woman smiling with short dark purple hair, wearing a patterned blouse, hoop earrings, and a necklace.

    PEARL V. JONES, Executive Secretary

    Pearl has been an integral part of CASYM since its founding by her father, William T. Jones. Deeply connected to the organization’s roots, she has served in many roles over the years, including parent, liaison, and committee member, and now holds the position of Executive Secretary of the Board. In this capacity, Pearl plays a vital role in supporting the strategic vision and daily operations of the organization. Her dedication ensures that CASYM remains true to its mission of cultural enrichment, youth empowerment, and artistic excellence. By carrying forward her father’s legacy, Pearl helps safeguard CASYM’s role as a community pillar that will inspire future generations.

Dwight Sean DaSilva, Music Director

Dwight Sean DaSilva's musical journey began at age three with the piano, leading to his first recital by six. He discovered the steel pan at 11 and began teaching at 15. Now the Musical Director of C.A.S.Y.M., Dwight views music as a vital blend of culture, history, and structure. He has dedicated years to shaping hundreds of young musicians, instilling not only musical skill but also discipline and community values. His proven curriculum is built on a foundation of dedicated work that delivers exceptional results. Dwight remains committed to empowering youth through music and is excited to continue advancing his mission.

Group of women playing steelpan on a sandy beach by the water with kite surfers in the background.
Two people playing steel pan on a beach during sunset with the ocean and kite surfers in the background.
Children watching a steelpan performance, with one child at the foreground and others seated in the background.
A group of young people playing steelpan instruments at an outdoor event, with others in the background and flags with red, yellow, black, and white colors.
A person with a blue hoodie and a blue headwrap standing in front of trophies, facing away in a dimly lit setting.
Group of children and adults posing indoors for a photo, with children wearing colorful T-shirts.
A group of people playing steel pans outdoors in front of a modern glass building, with some people dancing to the music.
Girl dancing in front of a steelband performing at an outdoor event.
A group of young people wearing matching bright green shirts with a logo, some wearing straw hats, sitting inside a vehicle at night, with blurry lights and signs visible outside.
View from the stage of a concert with steel pans on the musicians' laps, facing a large crowd seated on a grassy hill, with trees and a small building in the background during sunset.
A group of young steel pan musicians performing outdoors on a city street, with a crowd of people sitting on stairs in the background.
View from behind a band with percussion instruments on a stage at a large outdoor event. Audience under a large tent canopy.
Children playing steelpans in a classroom or rehearsal space.
A group of children playing steelpans in a large indoor room with a brown floor, white walls, and ceiling lights.
Children wearing Santa hats and white shirts playing steel drums on stage with poinsettias in front.
A musical performance featuring musicians in matching gold outfits on stage with a large banner in the background displaying a logo and text for the African American Sports & Cultural Youth Movement (C.A.S.Y.M.), established 1983.
A man wearing a face mask and plaid shirt holding a flag with the CASYM logo on it, standing outside near a building and street.
Children sitting in a classroom, observing steel pans
Warehouse or storage room with large blue barrels, metal carts, and people working or moving items.
Group of women and girls celebrating outdoors, holding up large trophies, wearing white shirts and headbands with "CASYM" printed on them, smiling and pointing.
A steel band performance outdoors with musicians playing steelpans, lined up in a row, with an audience watching. The scene is in an urban area, and a woman in the foreground is observing. The text 'CASYM Steel Orchestra' appears at the bottom.
A group of young people wearing green t-shirts celebrating their 30th anniversary with a sign for Casym Steelpan Orchestra, posing outdoors in front of a bus.
Group of four African American students playing steel drums on stage with red curtain backdrop.
A group of people playing steelpan drums in a large indoor tent at a musical event.
Children playing steelpan instruments in a classroom or community center, with drums arranged in rows and some children standing and others sitting.
Group of seven people, including two children, posing with musical instruments, in front of a white curtain, celebrating the holidays.
A young girl with face paint, wearing a blue polo shirt and beige pants, dancing with arms raised during an outdoor event with musical performers and a banner in the background.
Group of young people wearing green t-shirts with a 30th anniversary logo, standing outdoors in front of a large bus, holding a sign that reads 'CASYM Steelpan Orchestra'.
Jonesy in a dark suit with a red tie speaking into a microphone against a wooden background.
Two men sitting close together, smiling, one wearing a red shirt and the other a blue shirt, in a room with wooden walls, with a sign for CASYM Steelpan Orchestra in the background.
People outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, celebrating a playoff victory. Two athletes are skipping or dancing in the foreground wearing Brooklyn Nets gear, while a crowd of fans and photographers watch and take photos.
Young children playing steel drums on a stage during a musical performance under a tent.

Parent Testimonial
Lee Redman

As a parent of two daughters–one in middle school and the other in high school. I’m truly grateful for the impact this steel band and dance program has had on both of them.

From the very beginning, the instructors have created an environment that is welcoming, structured, and deeply inspiring. My daughters look forward to every session, and it's clear how much care and intention go into each rehearsal and performance. Not only have they developed skills in music and dance, but they’ve also grown in confidence, discipline, and teamwork.