Imagine singing to put a smile on the face of underprivileged children and bringing joy to a senior citizen’s life. Imagine performing in front of hundreds of people, inviting music into the lives of others. Imagine recording a track in a studio to create a benefit CD.

For the Heart, a nonprofit musical group composed of over 45 students from various towns in Connecticut, does just that.

“I love making people smile for the 45 minutes that I am doing a show,” said Melissa Beretta ’14, the director of the group.

For the Heart does not raise money as its community service, but rather gets involved by donating its collective talent, singing, to others.

“It’s the best feeling ever when the kids ask us for autographs or when the seniors tell us that we remind them of their childhood and their grandchildren,” Beretta said.

The group travels to retirement homes and schools in Bridgeport to perform shows there. They have also performed at the Fourth of July fireworks event at Compo Beach and at the Italian Festival each year.

The group mostly sings showtunes and Disney songs, but also tries to incorporate some contemporary songs into their repertoire.

Caley Beretta ’10 began the group in 2005 because she wanted to “help the community in a way that incorporated what she and her friends love: singing,” according to her younger sister Melissa.

After Caley graduated, Melissa took over to direct the group and take care of all the organizational aspects.

“It is very different without Caley but Melissa really stepped up,” Michelle Pauker ’13 said.

The group also recorded the bonus track for a benefit album for Tyler Paul ’07, who had seen For the Heart perform at the Fourth of July fireworks event and asked if the group would contribute to his album. Beretta ‘10 and Paul had been friends through both the Music Theatre of Connecticut and Staples Players.

Pauker and Beretta ‘14 both said that the benefit album was very successful and they were so happy to be a part of it. For them, as live performers, being in a recording studio was a new and exciting experience.

“It was crazy. It was long, really long, but it showed us what being a recording artist was,” Pauker said.

Since the group recorded the song instead of their usual live performances, Pauker felt that the final product was “such an accomplishment to hear.”

However, the group revolves around performing and loves every moment.

“Everyone works extremely hard and even though it can be tedious at times, helping out in the community is just such an amazing feeling,” Beretta ‘14 said.

“All For the Heart really is is a group of friends trying to make a difference through performing arts” said Jake Landau ’13, the pianist for the group.

Landau got involved with For the Heart because many of his friends were in the group and he heard that they needed a new pianist.

“Little did I know how fun and rewarding the group would be,” Landau said.

Pauker said that many of the group members even give up their weekend nights to practice, but it’s all worth it.

Another member of the group, Cara McNiff ’14, has been in For the Heart for five years.

“Seeing the smiles on the seniors’ faces and knowing you made their day makes you feel good,” McNiff said.

According to both Beretta ‘14 and Pauker, giving back to the community by sharing their special talent is so rewarding because they get to be with the people they are helping.

As Pauker said, “You just can’t buy love.”