Keeping students across America

powerfully curious around what

their life can become

Witness the most refreshing, unique and invigorating performances (k-12) that masterfully fuses original music, paint and story in a way that get’s the whole room dreaming about the possibilities around where life can take them.

Led by an award-winning educator and acclaimed as one of the most transformative and engaging school programs in the country, Joe Vercellino and The Lion Heart Experience have seen over 4 million young people anchoring students and teachers alike in what they refer to as a strong sense of Somebodyness, self-worth and resilience.

2025-2026 Lion Heart Promotional Video

“An inspiring Fusion of Story, Original Music and visual-art”

What’s the message?

Your life is becoming something beautiful, there’s a spot in this world just for you - all the brushstrokes and moments of your life are leading you to an adventure only you can live.

Middle School and High School Message

Our words make others feel like a mess or a masterpiece, why not paint something beautiful today?

Elementary Message

Did you know?

The Lion Heart Crew originated and is still made up of Joe Vercellino’s past students from his Detroit classroom. Young people who have decided to give the best of their time and talents to hit the road with their childhood teacher to remind kids young and old, there’s a beautiful picture for your life.

Best school assembly or your money back.

Born from a humble Detroit Music Classroom – what used to be local has evolved into an Educational Sensation seen by millions of students around The United States. Headed by award-winning educator, Joe Vercellino, The Lion Heart Experience is acclaimed for it’s quick connections with young people and fresh approach to mental-health by using story, original music and paint to keep kids powerfully curious about what could become of their life.

The Lion Heart Team is best known for their district-wide investments with expertly nuanced programing from Elementary, all the way through High School. This offers a unique and comprehensive experience for districts to feel a surge of positive messaging to compliment the school’s established efforts around mental-health.

Professional Development, community events, and transformative student resources couple themselves alongside The National Touring group’s collaborations with students in the fine-arts for exciting and engaging performances in dance, music and visual-art.

Chippewa Hills School District - Beal City Public Schools - Norup International - Midland Central Park - Alma Public Schools - Voyageur Academy - Cesar Chavez - Mt. Pleasant Public Schools - Legacy Schools - Salk Elementary - Pine City Schools - Bridge Academy - West Frontier International - Cadillac Middle School - Pioneer Work and Learn - East Kentwood High School - Crestwood Middle School - Mackinaw Trail Middle School - Flint Public Schools - Harbor Lights Middle School - Macatawa Bay Middle School - Mount Pleasant Peak Program -

Excel - Vanguard Charter Academy - Frazee-Vergas High School - St. John School District - Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools - St. Louis Public Health - Cherry Creek - Murray Lake - Bushnell - North Star Public School District #10 - Alto - Chippewa Hills School District - Flint Community Schools - Chester County School District - Sacred Heart Academy - Great Falls High School - Shepherd Public Schools - Warwick Public Schools - Dunseith School District - Northern Trails 5/6 - Standish-Sterling High School - Cross Creek Charter Academy - Lakeview Community Schools - Northeast Services Cooperative - St. John Vianney Catholic School - Ely Behavioral Health Network - Ely High School - Windemere Park - Proctor High School - Foundations - Jackson County Department of Human Services - Three Rivers Public Schools - Northwood Childrens Services - Detroit Enterprise - Perham High School - Cloquet Public Schools - Bay Pines Juvenile Center - Shawono Juvenile Center

Ridge Park Middle School - Lake Travis ISD Texas - Detroit Lakes Public High School - Winona County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) - Lowell Area Schools - Fancher Elementary - Warwick Public Schools - Eagle Crest Charter Academy - Woodland Park Middle School - Southwestern Classical - Laker Schools - South Arbor Schools - Westfield Prep - Harbor Beach Community Schools Foundations - George Crockett Middle School - Flint Cultural Center - Voorhees University GEAR UP

The Lion Heart Experience

Headed by award winning educator and speaker, Joe Vercellino and his dynamic team of performing Artists – The Lion Heart Experience is the premiere investment for school’s looking to infuse a strong sense of self-worth into their students and educators. With a lasting impact on teens and teachers nation-wide, the Lion Heart Experience creates tangible results in schools that are evident and felt by the community. Masterfully combining story, original music and visual-art together – The Lion Heart Experience is known as the most refreshing and most needed message in schools today.

Why Chose The Lion Heart Experience

With over 1,000 Five-Star Reviews on Google from school leaders, parents, mental-health professionals and students - Joe Vercellino and The Lion Heart Experience are industry leaders in youth mental-health for their unique style, sticky messaging and magical flare that contrasts the topical approach most schools and assemblies take with young people.

Within minutes of the performance starting, everyone in the audience finds themselves wrapped up and enthralled with the way the story, the canvas and the music mix together to create an atmosphere where everyone can dream about the good things and good people that can show up in your life.

unforgettable

You remember all the songs of your childhood. We know that. That’s why our songs are the soundtrack of the lives of thousands of kids across the US every day.

“When I grow up, I’m gonna be somebody, gonna be strong and hold my head high. And the world’s gonna know, and the world’s gonna know my name, cause I exist for something and the world won’t be the same without me.”

-When I Grow up, The Lion Heart Experience

Transformative School Programming centered around

Evidence-based practices

Parent -approved.

backed by mental-health professionals.

dynamic School Performances

Impactful Community Events

Refreshing Professional Development

Don’t take our word for it.

“The most inspiring 90 minutes changing your outlook on life. As a crisis response practitioner I am so grateful for the opportunity that our community was able to experience this awesome performance that these exceptional individuals honored us with. My quest to show the youth their importance was jolted to another level. I am telling you to make it a top priority in your life to see this group. If you have a chance to book them- jump on the opportunity!”

Connie Luther 
Crisis Response Practitioner

Fon du lac Reservation | Cloquet, MN

Joe Vercellino

Producer // Lead-Presenter
Thought Leader and curator of The Lion Heart Experience. Joe Vercellino leads students, teachers and leaders into powerful reflections on self-worth and identity. With a focus on the mental Health of Teens, Joe delivers high-impact messages with a relaxed polish, personal delivery and powerful challenges for young people.
Tae Sosa

Lion Heart Lead Artist
With a speciality of finding the musical intersection of Pain and Purpose - Tae Sosa engages over 500,000 teens a year with lyrics that equally move and inspire. Delivered with warmth and relevance, Tae Sosa is considered one of the most relevant musical voices of the present teen experience in America.

This was my 4th time seeing The Lion Heart Experience and it did not disappoint. Book them now, your students, staff and administrators will thank you.

Melissa Sweet // Teacher
Absolutely loved them , amazing and so talented , one of the best we have had. they could come back every year!

Michelle Altendorf // Teacher
They speak on so many pressing topics with such openness that makes it less scary for people to want to talk about, whether it’s trying to fit in, drugs, mental struggles, and so on. The the only complaint is that everyone wished they could’ve stayed longer.

Payton Harpestad // High School Student
blown away by the way you spoke to us in a way we understand the most.

Samantha Perez // High School Student

Join us on tour

a “can’t miss experience”

It’s impossible to miss the message. Between the music, the canvas and the stories - there is something for everyone in a Lion Heart Performance.

You will be our next 5-star review

“Powerful. Each member of Lion Heart crew brings a gift. They demonstrate what it looks like to be vulnerable.”

Sara Stromberg | Grant Coordinator, MN

“Engaging, thought-provoking, expertly presented… Identity, self-esteem, and self-worth are at the forefront. The student performers are incredible. Book them ASAP. You will not regret it.”

Adam Fitcher | Principal | Fraser Public Schools

“In an era of unprecedented rates of teen-anxiety and depression - Joe Vercellino and The Lion Heart Experience help schools start conversations that matter the most with refreshing, artistic and deeply human reminder of the worth and value we all deserve to feel.”

“Our School is located in an adjudicated youth facility, some of the toughest cases in the state. Our students raved about the experience, they are wanting to know when they can come back again.”

Chuck Fabbro | Wolverine Work and Learn

“Exactly what our students needed to hear”

Connie Loveland | Teacher | Vassar, MI

“I wish I met you guys earlier in my life…”

Adjudicated Youth student | Michigan

“Inspirational message that resonates with kids long after the event is over”

Chas Ferrell | Principal | Cadillac, MI

“A message that needs to be repeated over and over”

Laura Taylor | Educator | Flint Public Schools

“My heart is full!”

Tanisha Willis | Social Worker | Detroit, MI

“Phenomenal!”

Natoya | Principal | Flint, MI

“So much soul. Made me so emotional. I loved listening to each and every song as it reminded me of my worth and the strength I hold, just never used.”

High School Student | Forest Lake Area High School | Forest Lake, MN

“I was blown away! In my 12 years in education this was easily the best presentation for students I have seen.”

Mitch Strand | Superintendent | Harvey Public Schools | Harvey, MD

“A Fantastic Experience”

Matt Yunker | Youth worker

Listen up.

If you have been to a Lion Heart Performance, you probably notice our music is awesome. That’s because we make it ourselves. That’s right. All of the songs featured in our performances are written and recorded by The Lion Heart Crew and produced by industry professionals.