In the Open Arms Community, a Sophomore Strikes Up the Band

Seeking to create connections through music, Rutgers University-New Brunswick student Ben Wancier forms the jazz-influenced group 8PAC

When Ben Wancier arrived at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, finding his place on a campus with tens of thousands of students wasn't easy.

The sophomore, who is autistic, has been playing the trumpet since fourth grade. Wancier knew music might be a path toward making meaningful connections.

The 19-year-old School of Arts and Sciences student is creating that opportunity for himself and others through 8PAC, a new student-led band rooted in Open Arms, a community on Livingston campus that focuses on neurodiversity and disability. Wancier is a part-time resident there, splitting time between living on campus and his home in Westfield, N.J.

The five-member group covers songs such as "Cantina Band," written by composer John Williams and featured in the original Star Wars film, "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," cowritten by Solomon Burke, Bert Berns and Jerry Wexler and featured in The Blues Brothers movie. The band made its first official appearance during the fifth annual Rutgers NeuroAccessibility Summit on Oct. 9 at the College Avenue Student Center.

Rutgers sophomore Ben Wancier plays his trumpet in the wellness room of the Open Arms Community.

The group's name "refers to the eight original members from our first gig," Wancier said.

He met several of his bandmates through "Chamber Jazz 3," a small-group performance course at the Mason Gross School of the Arts where students from various academic backgrounds played together - including an event hosted by the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services.

Wancier said he hopes to recruit more students who share a love of music and a desire to belong.

He found inspiration through his time with the Jewish Community Center of Central New Jersey, a nonprofit social service and community organization in Scotch Plains, N.J., and its chief executive, Mike Goldstein. During the summer, Wancier worked at the center's Camp Yachad, a day camp for ages 18 months to 14 years.

"There's a band there that plays every Friday afternoon," said Wancier. "I actually loved listening to that band for years since I was a camper there."

Goldstein encouraged Wancier to join the group.

"He was one of the first people outside of high school to genuinely see my potential," said Wancier. "I wanted other musicians who are neurodivergent or have special needs to have that same experience."

More than merely a pastime, music is his way to develop friendships and stay engaged beyond the classroom.

"I want to get away from video games. I want to be involved in the real world," said Wancier, who plans to declare a major soon. "I'm still sort of on the fence between IT and accounting, so I'm taking classes both in communications and business, and I'm going to have that all figured out by the end of the semester."

He was one of the first people outside of high school to genuinely see my potential. I wanted other musicians who are neurodivergent or have special needs to have that same experience.

Ben Wancier

Rutgers sophomore on his mentor Mike Goldstein

While 8PAC is open to all Rutgers students, its connection to the Open Arms Community has shaped the band's mission.

Now in its third year, Open Arms is run by the Residence Life Department of the Division of Student Affairs at Rutgers-New Brunswick. It was established to provide a supportive living-learning environment where students can build connections, develop leadership skills and advocate for their needs. Students don't have to identify as neurodivergent or a person with a disability to join the community, which is open to allies who would like to gain a better understanding of the experiences of individuals with disabilities and the neurodiverse community.

Through 8PAC, Wancier is making connections, said Kimberly Kosinski, assistant director for residential care with the Department of Residence Life at Rutgers-New Brunswick.

"Ben felt in his first year here at Rutgers that he had a very difficult time finding community," she said. "His hope is that through this band other students won't have that same struggle that he did - and music could be a way for students to find a common interest and connect with one another."

Kosinski said the band reflects the Open Arms commitment to create spaces where students can be themselves and feel understood.

Wancier said he receives welcome support from Kosinski and Deja Thompson, the residential care coordinator for programming and outreach, who have helped him navigate some of the practical challenges in launching a student group - including finding rehearsal space, scheduling meetings and identifying performance opportunities., the residential care coordinator for programming and outreach, who have helped him navigate some of the practical challenges in launching a student group - including finding rehearsal space, scheduling meetings and identifying performance opportunities.

Kimberly Kosinski (left), assistant director of residence life for student support, poses with 8PAC members Tayo Adelekan, Daniel Pedraza, Ben Wancier, Morgann Wright and Brydon Bullock along with Deja Thompson (right), a residential care coordinator.

"Kimberly and Deja are actually sort of our logistics, sort of like our managers," Wancier said. "They're just helping me out with booking gigs and finding space."

He added that the experience also has become a leadership opportunity.

Kosinski said Wancier's efforts to form the band - and drawing on friends to fill it in its early days - "shows that there is a need and a desire for this type of community on campus."

Wancier said he hopes the group becomes a regular presence at Residence Life programs, student events and other campus gatherings. He said success would mean consistent rehearsals, steady performances and an established role within the Rutgers community.

For him, the benefits of music extend beyond performing at gigs.

"Well, for one thing, it can teach people to work as a team, as a band," he said. "It can teach people how to listen and follow rules, and it can help form social connections that can last a lifetime."

More importantly, he wants audiences to see how music can create meaningful relationships.

"I really hope audiences understand how important a role music can play in people's social lives and forming social connections," he said. "This will give me an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals like me."