About the founder
Avery founded The Music Unlocked Project after hearing from her middle school-aged cousin, who attends a public school in Arizona, about the limited arts education and opportunities available to students at his school. As a lifelong musician herself, Avery recognized how meaningful access to music education can be and how financial and educational barriers can prevent students from discovering that same opportunity. This inspired her to create a youth-led initiative that connects experienced student musicians with Arizona students who face barriers to accessing music education. Through free, student-led music instruction, fundraising, and music-learning resources, Avery hopes to help make music education more accessible while empowering young musicians to share their skills with others.
Music education is not a luxury. It is something every student deserves.
Access to music instruction is often treated as an optional add-on, the first thing cut when budgets get tight. We believe that every student, regardless of their school's budget, deserves the chance to discover what music can mean for them.
Student musicians teaching student musicians.
Every instructor in our program is a young person who has experienced firsthand how music can shape your life. We are not just filling a gap in arts education. We are building a community of young people who lift each other up through music.
The need in Arizona is clear.
The data behind Arizona's arts education gap is what drives everything we do.
Zero arts budget
Half of Arizona schools reported a budget of $0 to support arts education. 79% reported spending less than $1 per pupil per year.
Students without qualified arts teachers
More than 134,203 Arizona students, about 13%, attend school every day with no access to arts education taught by a highly qualified teacher.
Outdated arts curricula
56% of Arizona schools have yet to update their curricula to reflect current Arizona arts education standards.
Three things we do, every season.
Free music instruction
We pair experienced student musicians with learners who lack access to school music education, providing free, ongoing lessons.
Fundraising
We run campaigns and partnerships to fund sheet music, practice materials, and other resources students need to grow.
Music-learning resources
We provide and distribute learning materials so no student has to stop progressing because they cannot afford what they need.
Are you a student musician?
Volunteer as a music instructor and help students discover what music can mean for them. No formal teaching experience needed, just your instrument and your time.
See volunteer rolesPrefer to give?
A donation of any size helps fund the resources that make our student-led lessons possible.
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