Music to Life Co-Founder Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul, & Mary, Named As The First NYU Arts & Impact Artist-in-Residence
NEW YORK, NY – October 16, 2025—Legendary musician and activist Noel Paul Stookey of the iconic folk trio Peter, Paul, & Mary, and co-founder of the national non-profit Music to Life, has been named New York University’s inaugural Arts & Impact Artist-in-Residence for Fall 2025.
The three day residency from October 27-29 will highlight the ways that music can drive positive change in communities. Spanning six decades, Stookey’s experience in the music industry and in social activism serves as the foundation for his work with Music to Life and the artists of upcoming generations. NYU students will now step directly into the kind of learning environment Music to Life cultivates nationwide: one where artists are challenged to blend their creativity with social impact.
In 2018, Noel Paul Stookey and his daughter, Liz Stookey Sunde, co-founded Music to Life, a national nonprofit dedicated to equipping socially conscious musicians with the training, resources, and mentorship they need to drive meaningful change in their communities. By empowering artists as social entrepreneurs and creating pathways to financial sustainability, Music to Life carries the spirit of musical activism into a new era, one that values artists’ ingenuity and embraces fresh ideas across diverse genres and socioeconomic backgrounds. In regards to the residency, Sunde says:
“Partnering with NYU through my father’s residency shines a light on Music to Life’s work with next generation artists. Dad will be connecting student creatives with learning opportunities from his legacy in musical activism. Plus, Music to Life will bring a few artists from our network to engage with NYU students and explore how music can transform both audiences and communities.”
As part of the residency, Stookey will engage with students, faculty, and the public through a series of conversations, classes, and performances exploring the intersection of music, activism, and community. The residency culminates in a collaborative concert featuring NYU students, Music to Life artists, and Stookey himself.
Public Events
- Words & Music with Noel Paul Stookey
October 27, 7:30 PM, Eisner & Lubin Auditorium, Kimmel Center - History Rhymes
October 29, 7:30 PM, Frederick Loewe Theatre
For more details, visit this link.
The residency is sponsored by NYU’s Office of the Provost’s Arts & Impact initiative and the songwriting program at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.