Music and education are two things almost all of us can agree are vital parts of the human experience. Research has shown that musical training is good for the brain, improving memory and literacy.
Unfortunately, music education in American public schools tends to be limited or non-existent due to budget constraints and focus on subjects covered by state-led standardized testing. However, there are many great organizations that fill this gap and to keep music alive by getting instruments in kids' hands.
To celebrate Music In Our Schools Month, GRAMMY.com has compiled a list of four organizations and one scholarship dedicated to supporting music education. Read on to learn more about them and the great work they do.
Quinn Coleman Scholarship
The Quinn Coleman Scholarship is a multi-year scholarship and internship program for Black college students pursuing degrees in music and related creative fields. The program "strives to elevate a new generation of Black music creators through a supportive career development program" and prepare them for full-time work in the industry after graduation.
The scholarship is named for the late music executive and DJ Quinn Coleman, who died at just 31 in August 2020. Coleman's family set up the Quinn Coleman Memorial Fund in his honor through the GRAMMY Museum, which supports the scholarship as one of its many music education programs.
FEMME HOUSE
Founded by artists LP Giobbi and Lauren A. Spaulding in 2019, FEMME HOUSE is a non-profit that addresses the gender gap in music production. The organization offers women and gender-expansive people tools and support to learn production, mixing, engineering, DJing and more. FFEMME HOUSE has delivered free in-person and online classes, which range from Intro to Ableton and Building Your Beats, to thousands of people across the globe.
They also offer a scholarship for BIPOC creators, which provides four artists per year with one-on-one mentorship and free music gear. FEMME HOUSE has partnered with She Is The Music and We Are Moving The Needle to create a free four-week virtual bootcamp She Is The Producer, which will have a second edition this year.
She Is The Music
She Is The Music is a non-profit founded by GRAMMY winners Alicia Keys and Ann Mincielli, dedicated to "increasing the number of women working in music — songwriters, engineers, producers, artists and industry professionals."
The collaborative network unifies women throughout the global music industry, and also offers resources and funding to women-focused music initiatives. Their extensive resources include writing camp sessions — which have been led by Keys, Kim Petras, Cyndi Lauper and others — mentorship programs, a job board and a member database.
Girls Rock Camp Alliance
The Girls Rock Camp Alliance is the international membership network of Girls Rock and other youth music education camps. Its members host camps for girls to learn music and build confidence, creating them a fun and supportive space to be little rock stars. The Alliance aims to develop space for community and build "a strong movement for collective liberation" Rock on!
Harmony Project
The Harmony Project has provided free music education to low-income Los Angeles area youth since 2001, offering 282 classes a week to 3,500 students. K-12 students in underserved communities can sign up for the Harmony Project to receive an instrument and year-round lessons, along with performance opportunities, family support services, and college scholarships and readiness support. More evidence on the vital nature of music education programs: 98 percent of their students have been accepted into college.
