A group of immigrant Kingsbridge Heights students showcased their progress learning English with a presentation on the national anthem Thursday.

Bronx Opera teaching Artist, Cheryl Warfield and ESL teacher Cagney JeanBaptiste were there to assist the group.

Warfield says she uses music to help teach her students English.

"Once a student realizes that they can pronounce something with music, that empowers them to go ahead and be fearless about saying the words and actually speaking them," Warfield says.

The students performed "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center before explaining what the song's words mean to them.

"No matter what happens, Americans never give up," says student Natalie Taveras. "There's going to be hope always."