Up-and-coming pop-classical duo RyanDan were visiting Kitchener's St. Teresa school, where they delivered an anti-bullying message along with their sweet harmonies.

"If we all work together, we would be stronger," they sang a capella, as students joined in. "If we all open our eyes, we could see further."

The duo, composed of Toronto identical twins Ryan and Dan Kowarsky, 28, has toured in Europe, Australia and Asia since they released their self-titled debut album last year, but St. Teresa is the first Canadian school they have visited.

The visit was arranged after teacher Corinne Kennedy sent the twins an e-mail through their website a few months ago.

St. Teresa had chosen a RyanDan song, High, as the theme song for its year-long anti-bullying campaign, and Kennedy wrote to the duo about it and asked if they might be able to visit.

Within a day of sending the e-mail, one of the duo's managers had written back to Kennedy, saying RyanDan would be glad to come.

"I just about fell off my chair," Kennedy said.

RyanDan say they enjoy working with children, especially on preventing bullying. They've been involved in an anti-bullying campaign on YouTube and aren't afraid to admit they were sometimes victims of bullying when they were younger.

"People don't realize one experience with a bully treating you a different way can affect you for the rest of your life," Ryan said.

Dan said their work is worthwhile if they can stop one child from bullying another. His advice for kids who might face a bully? Just walk away.

"It's not worth it, getting into any confrontation," Dan said.

St. Teresa students were thrilled by the visit and the chance to have their pictures taken with the heartthrobs.

Barbara Magolon, 12, a member of the school's anti-bullying committee, said she was impressed by the way the twins said they dealt with bullies in the past: by singing to them. It's something she might try, she said.

"Their song High is really an inspiration to everyone," said fellow committee member Cassy Dietrich, 12. "It teaches us how to stand up to bullies, to always be happy and love work and always work together."

Colin Whaley, 12, and Michael Hejmej, 13, also committee members, said they were surprised and grateful for RyanDan's visit.

"It was inspirational," said Colin. "Their coming here has lifted the spirits of the whole school."

The anti-bullying campaign as a whole has changed behaviours, Michael said.

"I think our school is doing a lot better . . . all the kids are being much nicer."

Source: The Record