Music & Youth Initiative was founded in 2004 to partner with youth development organizations serving under-resourced urban communities. We provide partners with multi-year funding and extensive program support to help them create and sustain after-school music programs, which they integrate into their overall program offerings. (Learn more in our Programs and Partnership Opportunities section). 

Our programs focus on youth participants in 7th grade and up, and are designed to be a safe place for young people to explore their musical interests. But more importantly, our programs use music as a vehicle to help participants understand and express their emotions, and develop life skills as they move toward adulthood. Our programs are intentionally self-directed and encourage teens to play the music they are interested in. 

Music & Youth works closely with each partner to design their program facility and outfit it with the appropriate equipment and gear. We stay with our partners for the long run; creating a community of collaboration, sharing best practices, facilitating professional development, and encouraging a culture of support among all our partners. We continually evaluate current musical trends and changes in technology to ensure our programs remain relevant and attractive to our teen participants.

Music & Youth, based in the Boston area, supports youth development partners across the United States. We support the efforts of hundreds of full and part-time staff at our partner organizations, who are all working to bring the magic of music to the teens they serve. Most importantly, thousands of underserved youth each week are learning how to play an instrument, or are writing, recording, and performing their original songs. They are daring to dream about their future, building confidence for a better life!