VIA Academy

Standing for Virtual Inclusion Artists, VIA Academy is a completely free hybrid music education program that impacts young aspiring high-school aged musicians from remote and underrepresented communities in classical music. We widen the perspective of what's possible in a music career and focus heavily on overcoming any barriers standing in the way of a student's dream. Through individual lessons, 1-on-1 mentoring, and group classes, we increase instrumental skills, entrepreneurial skills, finding financial support, health & wellness, college preparation, and career pathways. Since starting our first season in the Summer of June 2020, we have already impacted over 270 pre-college aged musicians from remote and underrepresented communities in classical music, many of whom took their first steps in realizing a future life in music at VIA Academy. These young students attended VIA Academy from across the globe, including 37 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Serbia, Guatemala, Bolivia, and Chile.

VIA Academy is so much more than a music education program - our students grow artistically, musically, and in social-emotional learning. Our students have consistently reported growth in self-confidence, creativity, and problem solving during their participation in the program. From our most recent 2023 VIA Academy program, students participated in anonymous entry and exit surveys, and reported the following about their experience:

• 36% increase (to 100% overall) in feeling capable of making a difference in their communities.

• 50% increase (to 100% overall) in understanding of career paths open to musicians by the end of the program.

Over the past 3 years, 100% of our students have reported the following:

• The VIA Academy curriculum allowed them to feel more prepared to achieve their goals, including clearer goals.

• The VIA Academy curriculum allowed them to gain the necessary tools to help achieve their goals as musicians.

• The VIA Academy curriculum was effective in preparing them to achieve their goals. This includes the private lessons, warm-up sessions, mentoring sessions, community project coachings, guest artist classes, instrumental sectionals, chamber coachings, and side-by-side chamber music performances with teaching artists.

Many of our alumni are now enrolled in major music degree programs across the United States including the Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard School, Boston Conservatory, and University of Michigan to name a few. In addition, they've created impact in their own communities my developing and implementing initiatives through their own talents. Examples of these initiatives include music commissioning programs of BIPOC composers, benefit concerts to raise funds for greater access to free music education programming, and organizing concerts in support of local black artists and creatives.