Today is my first official day with My Voice Music. I am so incredibly honored to be here. Over the past month I’ve experienced many different emotions in anticipation of this day: excitement, nervousness, gratitude, and often a grave awareness of the tragedy surrounding this transition and the circumstances that led to my taking this role. Most of all, I feel a great sense of responsibility to steward this incredible organization into its next successful chapter.

In reflecting on what it means to be taking the reins of such an important organization and stepping into the shoes of a brilliant visionary I’ve quite honestly found it difficult to put my thoughts into words. The simple truth that I keep coming back to is that I can’t step into Ian’s shoes and I shouldn’t try to. What I can do is honor the legacy of the team and community he built bringing my unique perspective and experiences to compliment and further his legacy. Sometimes my differences from Ian will feel uncomfortable, sometimes they might be helpful, while other times they will just be different and unfamiliar. All of that is ok.

One of the most important things I’d like the MVM community to know about me is that I am deeply passionate about the mission. Throughout my life my music has been my safe-haven and a guide. It has been a pathway to moments of peace, calm, and connection to others. It continues to be a way to understand my own thoughts and feelings. It is my deepest desire for as many young people as possible to find this same refuge in music.

If you’d like to know a little bit more about my background or share your thoughts and ideas I’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime to get to know me or come say hello at our Ugly Holiday Sweater Bingo Night at Radio Room on 11/17 or Holiday Student Showcase on 12/11.

We’re also excited to be back in the Willamette Week’s Give!Guide this year, which launches TODAY and goes through the end of the year! Over the next two months we’ll be highlighting MVM programs along with great opportunities to win awesome incentives with your donation through the Give!Guide like shopping sprees, tattoos, and getaways. Stay tuned for the first Big Give Day this Thursday and you could win an E-Bike from Splendid Cycles. Plus, the first $25,000 donated to MVM will be matched by the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, part of the final push to complete our new building in East Portland! You can check out a list of giving days and MVM events below.

I hope you’ll consider making a donation over the next two months to support MVM's incredible work of amplifying young voices!

Cheers,

Amy Sabin
Executive Director

FALL EVENTS

NOV 17
Ugly Sweater Bingo
7-9PM at Radio Room

DEC 02
Youth Open Mic
at Youth Music Project

DEC 11
MVM Holiday Student Showcase
3PM at MVM Studios

BIG GIVE DAYS

NOV 03
E-Bike Giveaway with Splendid Cycles

NOV 09
Game Time with the Blazers

NOV 17
Atlas Tattoo's Big Ink Giveaway

NOV 23
Big Book Day with Powell's

NOV 29
Salishan Seaside Getaway

DEC 07
New Seasons Market Shopping Spree

DEC 15
Cotopaxi's Big Travel Pack Giveaway

DEC 21
Trek's E-Bike Extravaganza

DEC 28
Big Beer Day with John's Marketplace

DEC 29
Portland Nursery's Big Plant Palooza

DEC 30
OCT's Big, Beautiful Oregon Getaway