In this exploratory study, we describe the learning experiences of adolescents from a social project called "Orquestrando Talentos," which offered violin and viola lessons in two high-needs schools for low-income students in Erechim, Southern Brazil. Grounded on the central tenets of popular education, on Paulo Freire's work, and on earlier studies on the experiences of students from community-based strings programs, in this article we share the voices of six violin students (aged 12-14), their parents, and teachers, particularly as they relate to students' socioemotional learning and the social impact of the program on families, schools, and communities.