Make Waves is a groundbreaking music education model based in the Portland Metro Area. We aim to breathe new life into existing music programs which were designed to reach communities with gaps in educational services. We provide this support through funding private music lessons, engaging in community outreach, and encouraging diverse hiring practices.
MAKE WAVES
MAKE WAVES
FREE PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
Make Waves funds full scholarships for private music lessons for students ages 5-17 in the Portland Metro Area, and supplies students with their own instruments to keep.
New in 2023, every Make Waves student within age-range is invited to continue their instruction for as long as it serves and excites them!
COMMUNITY AND REPRESENTATION
We do outreach, demonstrating and providing instruments to try at community events throughout the year, and meeting with school counselors and community centers to help connect students with participating music schools in their area with as few barriers to access as possible. We believe there is value and power both in representation and in sharing our diverse backgrounds, therefore, we also use these networks to recruit music educators of the global majority, music educators who are disabled, and music educators who are LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse.
ACCESSIBILITY
When we say music education is for everyone, we mean it. While our mission initially only revolved around helping families overcome financial barriers to private music education, we are now also committed to connecting students with adaptive programming for children with disabilities.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
We source instruments primarily through donations and make repairs in-house when we are able. Did you know that many inexpensive string instruments are built so cheaply that even when brand new they are difficult to play and keep in tune? This can be extremely discouraging for new musicians. We are grateful for our partner luthier, Matt Franzen, who checks out, cleans, repairs, and sets up all instruments, donated or new, to give each student the best experience possible with their new instrument.
Make Waves has funded more than 50 year-long scholarships and supplied instruments to over 80 students since its launch in 2021! AND WE ARE GROWING! Thank you for joining us in supporting equity in music education!